My rooster is pretty awesome, he's a barred rock rooster that's a bit over 10 weeks old. In the past week or so I've noticed that he will gladly run up to get treats from me if I stick lettuce through the wire of their run but any time I get inside he gets in rooster mode, changes his stance and then charges me but once he gets close he scares himself and runs to the other side of the run. Is this just the beginning of a horrific rooster or just testosterone from chicken in his teenage stage? Anything I can do to let him know that we're pals and we shouldn't get defensive of one another? Thanks.
My wife has an old oak "Moses" rod that she carries if we have a young rooster getting "fiesty"... she simply bangs it on the ground when the roo wants to get aggressive... he backs off every "almost" everytime! I think that they feel the ground shaking under their feet, and want no part of the "bull" pawing the earth! Give it a try... if the banging doesn't work, she swings it like a bat! That works everytime!
lol he's way too little to be good in the freezer! I vote just show him that you are the head chicken. Even picking him up and cuddling him works as a great "punishment" this young.
There are a lots of different opinions regarding roosters on this forum, so I'll give you my take. I really like having roosters around and am fascinated by their behavior. My roosters belong to several separate flocks that I have on my property. And I am willing to work through some challenging rooster behavior because I don't have any small children around. It sounds like if possible you want to establish a relationship with him where he doesn't feel the need to be defensive, which can be challenging with some roosters because his instinctual role is to protect his hens. Ideally you want him to see you as the the boss but not a threat to his hens. I have a rooster who is fine with me when he is free ranging but can get an attitude when I am in HIS run like your Barred Rock. He will act submissive when i pick him up. If he is tough to catch, you could try picking him off his roost in the evening and hold him until you know he is calm, then gently put him back on the roost. I wonder if you spent some time just hanging out in the run if that might desensitize him and make him see you as less of a threat. Of course if he continues to act defensively then you will have to put more effort in showing your dominance. One way is by firmly holding his head down to the ground with a gentle pinch to the back of the neck until he shows submission by relaxing. Roosters are so individual; I hope you work out an understanding with him.
I have a little RIRX that tries to be bossy as well. I just scoop him off the roost in the evening...grab his neck feathers and gently pull back, so his head is touching his neck...and talk softly to him. He is coming around quite well. Even tho he is a "mutt" I love his markings, and want to tame him down as well. This seems to be working, but you will have to do this every day...several times a day is even better if you can.
