Alpha Rooster is dead, flock is acting ODD!

[21hens-incharge]

Since it has been a month and your birds are still to young for the big fall molt it's time to inspect for bugs.
If they have mites feeding on them at night or lice that can put them off laying.

 

[ElizaMay]

I culled 2 birds yesyerday, a silky rooster abusing one particular hen (the only one his stubby little legs coult catch) and a PITA cockerel doing the same to bantam hens for the same reason, because he couldn't catch the mature hens... Culled both in front of the flock, plucked and clezned them in our yard in front of the flock. The hens were next to us picking through the guts and feathers and fighting over scraps, so it did not bother or frighten them here for any period of time. I collected eggs this afternoon.

 

[OzarkChooks]

Yes it's normal that your remaing rooster is now acting up.
Before, he was kept in check by the alfalfa rooster. Now with nothing to subdue him he is going all out randy teenager on the hens. Probably chasing them down, pulling feathers and giving them no rest.
He may also turn human aggresive and will need watching closely.
Was he related to your first rooster?
If you have small children I do not recommend a rooster unless they (the chickens) are confined.
So sorry that your family was hurt.
Like many folks right now, I am having to butcher my extra roosters as I can find them no homes
No need to keep a bad rooster when so many nice ones are avaliable.
Good luck!

Luckily our current rooster is gentle with the pullets, always has been. However he has definitely started getting human aggressive. He runs up at me but I just lift my arms in the air to look bigger and he stops. He has never successfully attacked anyone. We have penned the chickens in recently, previously they free ranged everywhere, to prevent the rooster from having access to our kids. He did try jumping at my daughter, but my husband intercepted him. Will he go back to normal....or is this his true self now?

 

[OzarkChooks]

Did the Beta turn aggressive, or is he over protective?

I've never had a Beta turn aggressive after removing an Alpha.

He has become human aggressive around food and around the coop unfortunately

 

[OzarkChooks]

Since it has been a month and your birds are still to young for the big fall molt it's time to inspect for bugs.
If they have mites feeding on them at night or lice that can put them off laying.

That is a good idea. I recently cleaned their coop but I will investigate. Thanks!

 

[MysteryChicken]

He has become human aggressive around food and around the coop unfortunately

Think you need a friendly replacement.

 

[OzarkChooks]

Think you need a friendly replacement.

Oh dear. I thought maybe he was just acting out since the other rooster is gone now. One of our 10 week old chicks is a cockerel.... looks like he may end up taking our current one's place.

 

[McChooky]

I culled 2 birds yesyerday, a silky rooster abusing one particular hen (the only one his stubby little legs coult catch) and a PITA cockerel doing the same to bantam hens for the same reason, because he couldn't catch the mature hens... Culled both in front of the flock, plucked and clezned them in our yard in front of the flock. The hens were next to us picking through the guts and feathers and fighting over scraps, so it did not bother or frighten them here for any period of time. I collected eggs this afternoon.

Brutal but well played! Doesn't sound like your flock liked him a lot !

 

[Weeg]

Luckily our current rooster is gentle with the pullets, always has been. However he has definitely started getting human aggressive. He runs up at me but I just lift my arms in the air to look bigger and he stops. He has never successfully attacked anyone. We have penned the chickens in recently, previously they free ranged everywhere, to prevent the rooster from having access to our kids. He did try jumping at my daughter, but my husband intercepted him. Will he go back to normal....or is this his true self now?

You have tow choices-

1) Cull your current boy and search Craigslist for a nice rooster who is good with kids, or young enough to put in his place.

2) You can work with your current boy. Seems he's being good and submitting to the stand down. The problem with kids is that they run and give off the memo that they are not going to protect themselves, and to the rooster that looks like they are submitting to him. When you throw your arms in the air you saying, "hey, I'm bigger than you and I dare you to mess with me", he's submitting to that.
I've found that the following procedure has helped me tame roosters in the past, though your kids and husband would have to do the same thing.

Spoiler: Rooster taming

Put on some tall rubber boots, you'll need these to protect your legs.
Go out to the coop and if he runs to jump at you, stick your leg out so he only has the ability to flog your leg. Hop towards him, (he will back up and continue to flog) and pin him agains the wall.
Once you get him against the corner of the run, he will realize that his efforts aren't working and will try to run. Pin him against the wall so he can't run away.
Grab him holding his wings, and place him on his side holding his head against the ground. Tap his head with your finger like another rooster would do after pinning.
Hold him there for as long as seems necessary, and than lift him off the ground and let him go. He'll like cluck to him self, look at your sideways and walk away. Don't turn your back, and if you do constantly look back at him so he can see your face.
Leave the enclosure, and repeat this process every time he tries to flog, bite, jump, or boss you.

The problem is, if your kids can't do the same thing, he will continue to treat them like a threat. You'll have to either keep your kids out of the pen, or assist in the process of putting him in his place. A broom works well to to pin him against the wall, but I find that sometimes that only makes him submit if you have the broom.
the easiest option is to cull, but sometimes its nice to be able to "train" your boys as well, whatever works best for you in your situation.

 

[Tonyroo]

Luckily our current rooster is gentle with the pullets, always has been. However he has definitely started getting human aggressive. He runs up at me but I just lift my arms in the air to look bigger and he stops. He has never successfully attacked anyone. We have penned the chickens in recently, previously they free ranged everywhere, to prevent the rooster from having access to our kids. He did try jumping at my daughter, but my husband intercepted him. Will he go back to normal....or is this his true self now?

Age usually plays into a pattern of behavior but some breeds are naturally very aggressive as they age.