Aggressive Rooster?

[Momma*chicken]

So I have 12 girls and 3 roosters... Yes I do know eventually I will have to narrow it down to one rooster. Just last week, I noticed the alpha tried to attack my nine yr old daughter for the first time, then my 7yr old son, then my 3yr old daughter. It wasn't an immediate attack, he did that thing that roosters do where they inch their way closer and pick up random inedible things like pebbles until they're close enough to peck you. I reprimanded him each time and shoved him with my foot and he stopped (for the time being).... Then today I went to let them out and he did the same thing to me. This time I yelled really loud at him, stomped my feet and gave him a little kick. He backed off, and tried inching his way closer again.... Then the middle ranking rooster bumped him to the side and gave a little angry sound and stared at him. After that he back off entirely and walked away. So here is my question, do I have an aggressive Rooster on my hands? Can I correct this behavior, or will it just get worse? For reference, the roosters are about 18wks, maybe 19wks, and r mille fleur bantams. Our girls are ISA browns and are 16wks old and almost ready to lay. Is he possibly just raging with newfound hormones cuz he's becoming an adult rooster? Here is a pick of him from 2 wks ago

 

[MaryJo6390]

My silkie roo is really agressive now. The two hens are both sirring and I think he just doesn't want me to get close to them. I have had to fight him off several times and get tickled that he is so small and thinks he is so big but he really tore my arm up once gefore I realized he had gotten this way. I was told to catch him and hold him until he calms down a couple times and he might stop. I am going to try it. I'll let you all know if it helps. He was all fluffed and really angry in this picture.

 

[LRH97]

Once roosters hit chicken puberty, their personalities can do a complete change once their hormones kick in. I always say roos are very rewarding to keep and that they largely get "bad press"--people think all roos are mean. This is not the case. I've had way more good roos than bad.

However, you should never, ever, tolerate blatant aggression from a roo. Especially if you have young children. For a short little three year old, an aggressive roo can be quite dangerous (even if they are bantams). Not to mention, it could sour them on chicken keeping which is an extremely rewarding hobby. Bantams do tend to have little attitudes sometimes, but if he had the gall to attack people repeatedly, he is sure to do it again. Plus, if you're looking to hatch out any chicks, over-aggression tends to be hereditary and he could pass it on to any of his offspring. As far as I'm concerned, your decision for which roo(s) to get rid just got a whole heck of a lot easier.

 

[Momma*chicken]

So, he will probably just get worse.... Well I guess I know the first one who will need to go!

 

[alexa009]

Your rooster's aggressive behavior will never change unless you show him you are the boss. Chasing him isn't going to work either. I have an aggressive rooster who has 3 offspring that are roos and I am trying not to tame them because they will end up aggressive too. If you ever have a rooster charging you spray him with the hose or kick him hard. This way he won't attempt to go near you and will likely keep to himself. It really worked with my rooster except he knows the difference and who is who.

 

[Momma*chicken]

When he went to attack my 3yr old she was just minding her own business squatting while playing in the dirt, she wasn't even trying to touch the girls... She is very good with girls and never tries to chase them or pick them up. I was already aware of his possibile aggression and was keeping my eye on him... I saw him puff out his feathers and get ready to peck her head and luckily got in the middle of them and shooed him away. So thankfully he didn't lay a feather on her

 

[Momma*chicken]

Your rooster's aggressive behavior will never change unless you show him you are the boss. Chasing him isn't going to work either. I have an aggressive rooster who has 3 offspring that are roos and I am trying not to tame them because they will end up aggressive too. If you ever have a rooster charging you spray him with the hose or kick him hard. This way he won't attempt to go near you and will likely keep to himself. It really worked with my rooster except he knows the difference and who is who.

So, if he learns to not be aggressive towards me, he could still be aggressive towards the kids? Uggggh maybe he should just be the first one to go...

 

[alexa009]

When he went to attack my 3yr old she was just minding her own business squatting while playing in the dirt, she wasn't even trying to touch the girls... She is very good with girls and never tries to chase them or pick them up. I was already aware of his possibile aggression and was keeping my eye on him... I saw him puff out his feathers and get ready to peck her head and luckily got in the middle of them and shooed him away. So thankfully he didn't lay a feather on her

A 3 year old isn't going to be able show a rooster she is boss, roosters are tough creatures so it's better if you keeped him penned up or get rid of him. This is exactly why I never let my rooster free-range. They look like they can't really do any damage but they can really hurt. Hope you find a good situation of keeping him away from you or finding him a home.

 

[Momma*chicken]

I think I'm going to just have to get rid of him... He even kind of bullies the hens too.... I think he's just a bully. . I'm going to work on finding him a home, or maybe even the other alternative . STEWED

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

A 3 year old isn't going to be able show a rooster she is boss, roosters are tough creatures so it's better if you keeped him penned up or get rid of him. This is exactly why I never let my rooster free-range. They look like they can't really do any damage but they can really hurt. Hope you find a good situation of keeping him away from you or finding him a home.

I say let the little munchkin have a go at it with the aggressive rooster....... arm her with a plastic kiddie shovel and a catcher's face mask, then let the fight begin!