Aggressive Rooster

[Marykate22]

Hi everyone! I know this has been asked before but I have tried all the suggestions and I am at a loss as to how to proceed. I have a year old splash blue maran rooster who is constantly attacking me. I’ve picked him up and carried him around for hours. I’ve pinned him to the ground until he stops fighting. I’ve given him treats. He still attacks me as soon as my back is turned. Especially when I’m carrying food or get in storage where he knows their food is. I’m not going to cull him but I don’t know if there’s something I’m missing. I’m open to any suggestions. Will he calm down with age? So far he’s gotten worse

 

[AidKD]

How old is he? And do you have any other roosters?

 

[Marykate22]

He’s a year and he’s the only rooster to 8 hens

 

[AidKD]

He’s a year and he’s the only rooster to 8 hens

Hmmm, how long has he been like this? I would have thought that by this age he would've calmed down a bit.

 

[Marykate22]

Hmmm, how long has he been like this? I would have thought that by this age he would've calmed down a bit.

He’s only been like this for 4 months but it’s escalated. I don’t understand it. He comes when I call. They’re free ranging 80% of the day. They have a good life

 

[LaFleche]

He’s only been like this for 4 months but it’s escalated. I don’t understand it. He comes when I call. They’re free ranging 80% of the day. They have a good life

He seems to perceive you as competing for his hens' attention and affection and fights you as he would any other rooster.

Don't expect gratitude for the "good life" you are providing, he does not understand this concept, he is just a rooster acting on his instincts.

You don't want to cull, but you should not pass him on to another chicken keeper either as he is a liability: he will attack any other human too which can lead to very nasty injuries and even to loss of eyesight.

 

[Tired old Rooster]

Are you interacting with his hens a lot? Remember, they are his hens, not yours.

 

[Marykate22]

He seems to perceive you as competing for his hens' attention and affection and fights you as he would any other rooster.

Don't expect gratitude for the "good life" you are providing, he does not understand this concept, he is just a rooster acting on his instincts.

You don't want to cull, but you should not pass him on to another chicken keeper either as he is a liability: he will attack any other human too which can lead to very nasty injuries and even to loss of eyesight.

I wouldn’t do that to anyone else. I’m just unsure of what to do myself. Especially after trying everything. I don’t like being afraid of my animals. It seems like everyone else (at least what I’ve read) people are able to break this behavior. Just didn’t know if it’s an age thing or this is just him and I have to live with it

 

[Marykate22]

Are you interacting with his hens a lot? Remember, they are his hens, not yours.

I am not. I clean their coop and change food and water daily. Other than that I don’t bother them

 

[Tired old Rooster]

I am not. I clean their coop and change food and water daily. Other than that I don’t bother them

Then perhaps it is just that he is getting too big for his britches and needs to learn where he fits on the pecking order. Some sort of measured response to his aggression that he does not like may work.