Another rooster attacks...

[farmert]

I've read the threads on the horror of rooster attacks. Had hoped not to post about this, but it happened to me today.

My rooster is a 3-4 yr old Copper Maran. Gorgeous fellow and usually on the wussy side. Today, I was in the barn preparing for four new hens to arrive. All the hens and the rooster were in the barn as I went in and all about. They were hoping I would throw some morsels their way which I usually do.

I must have made a sudden move or noise that he didn't like, and he came at me full throttle. I screamed and grabbed a flat-head hoe and knocked him off me (no damage done), but he knew I was afraid of him at that moment. I decided to go after him a bit more and chased him away over and over, with his cackling all the time.

He ran into the coop and I was able to get the other hens inside and closed them up early. But my question is: what do I do in the morning? I have to open the door and he is going to be right there when I do. I don't have enough hands to hold the feed, the rake and open the door.

I'm like many others -- this fellow has been with me from chickhood and he is beautiful, and a nice roo for the girls. He has bluffed a lot and I'll run after him, but he has never attacked. From what I read, he will do it again, and I cannot turn my back on an animal out here. I'm the sole person here.

Do I have to learn my lesson the hard way before rehoming him? Will I know tomorrow morning if he is now gone on the other side and I can't trust him?

I don't want him to know that I'm scared, but I am!

 

[rIrs roost]

Honestly, You can never trust him again IMO. Sit the food down and carry a stick in and chase him out and shut the door. If you're not prepared to never turn your back on him or you're scared of him, I'd definitely cull or give him up. the only problem with giving him away is someone else may get hurt or even a child. I have given some away knowing that the people were going to cull them.

 

[lazy gardener]

The fact that he has "bluffed a lot" but backed down when you chase him, followed by this attack, is IMO reason enough to cull him.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

I've read the threads on the horror of rooster attacks. Had hoped not to post about this, but it happened to me today.

My rooster is a 3-4 yr old Copper Maran. Gorgeous fellow and usually on the wussy side. Today, I was in the barn preparing for four new hens to arrive. All the hens and the rooster were in the barn as I went in and all about. They were hoping I would throw some morsels their way which I usually do.

I must have made a sudden move or noise that he didn't like, and he came at me full throttle. I screamed and grabbed a flat-head hoe and knocked him off me (no damage done), but he knew I was afraid of him at that moment. I decided to go after him a bit more and chased him away over and over, with his cackling all the time.

He ran into the coop and I was able to get the other hens inside and closed them up early. But my question is: what do I do in the morning? I have to open the door and he is going to be right there when I do. I don't have enough hands to hold the feed, the rake and open the door.

I'm like many others -- this fellow has been with me from chickhood and he is beautiful, and a nice roo for the girls. He has bluffed a lot and I'll run after him, but he has never attacked. From what I read, he will do it again, and I cannot turn my back on an animal out here. I'm the sole person here.

Do I have to learn my lesson the hard way before rehoming him? Will I know tomorrow morning if he is now gone on the other side and I can't trust him?

I don't want him to know that I'm scared, but I am!

Sell him and use the money to buy another one.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

The best way to get rid of the fear is to put the fear in him. Whatever it takes.

 

[Sara Ranch]

Is it possible that the rooster was aware that you were preparing to bring in more chickens?

Is it possible that the rooster was in a bad mood or not feeling well or injured?

I'm not an expert on roosters. I've worked with two crazy roosters and they are much more mellow now. Neither attacked me though. I'm working with a rooster now that likes to sneak up on me and nip my heel or will nip at me if I don't meet his every demand on his time schedule. I'm working with him. He wants a LOT of one on one time and room service. This may be a 5 star chicken hotel, but he's gotta earn his keep too. I think for this guy, it's his recent adoption that has him testing boundaries. We should find a workable agreement, this rooster and I.

Maybe the attack was a one time thing. I'd hate for you to rehome or cull the rooster because he had a bad day. Can you separate him or give him some one on one time? Wear gloves around him, in case he decides to peck. Talk in a soft voice. Don't force things with him. (With all my animals, I give them the choice to walk or to be carried. And I tell them they have a choice.) Offer him treats from your hand. Build that trust again.

 

[Folly's place]

He's been trying to take you on, and finally did. Send him off with full disclosure, or do him in yourself. I have had a couple of roosters that got more human aggressive at two or three years of age, and it's not good, and not safe. Mary

 

[Jayden.Stites]

I had a Sumatra rooster that was terrible for attacking me and my family. Try picking him up by his tail and pick up something scary and chase him around. I used a broom and beat it one the ground near him a few times. If none of that works, don't let him eat unless it's out of your hands and if he bites you, then make him wait an hour or so. Sounds brutal, but it works like magic! Also I do this just for a laugh but you could also pick him up and turn him on his back and cradle him. For whatever reason they seem to actually like that...

 

[centrarchid]

Here we go again. I would offer one of mine up as a replacement but odds are he would be transformed into a man-fighter as well. Stop fighting, chasing and running from the chickens and these silly incidents will be far less frequent.

 

[rIrs roost]

Is it possible that the rooster was aware that you were preparing to bring in more chickens?

Is it possible that the rooster was in a bad mood or not feeling well or injured?

I'm not an expert on roosters. I've worked with two crazy roosters and they are much more mellow now. Neither attacked me though. I'm working with a rooster now that likes to sneak up on me and nip my heel or will nip at me if I don't meet his every demand on his time schedule. I'm working with him. He wants a LOT of one on one time and room service. This may be a 5 star chicken hotel, but he's gotta earn his keep too. I think for this guy, it's his recent adoption that has him testing boundaries. We should find a workable agreement, this rooster and I.

Maybe the attack was a one time thing. I'd hate for you to rehome or cull the rooster because he had a bad day. Can you separate him or give him some one on one time? Wear gloves around him, in case he decides to peck. Talk in a soft voice. Don't force things with him. (With all my animals, I give them the choice to walk or to be carried. And I tell them they have a choice.) Offer him treats from your hand. Build that trust again.

I've only been doing this for 3 years now but I've had a lot of roos. I'm not saying that you're wrong by no means. But in my experience, the one that act likke they're going to spur you eventually do. I've chased them , tried ignoring them. hit them , and everything else you can think of. It may stop them for a day or so but everyone of the ones I've had have always challenged again. Maybe you've had better luck then me. I'd love to find a way to break them without culling them but I'm not going to be worried about a roo attacking me. I still never turn my back on one.