At what aged do roosters become agressief?

[Keiki]

I have alittle flock of 4 Australorps.
They are about 16 weeks old my roo has been very nice up until this morning . He would let us pick him up and was very relaxed .They are free range and when I came outside he Immediately went after my feet !!! I can’t keep him if he is going to do this to my children as well . Is this chicken puberty??

 

[igorsMistress]

Yes, it’s puberty and completely normal. If you don’t intend to hatch chicks it might be best to get rid of the rooster. Particularly if you have young children. This would be my recommendation.

Typically three hens aren’t enough for a roo, 5 or 6 is better. He’s going to protect his girls, even from you. He won’t appreciate you picking them up or treating them as he may see you as competition and continue the attacks.

Do you normally treat your flock? If so you can try tossing treats at his feet so he can call the girls and then walk away. Eventually he may figure out you’re his friend and not his foe. You can also try locking him in a separate coop for a while until some of those hormones calm down.

Some people force them to the ground as a show of dominance, or carry them around or whack them on the rump with a stick. Quite often these efforts don’t help but actually make matters worse.

 

[azygous]

Yes. The hormones have arrived. Now the discipline begins if you wish to keep a well behaved cockerel.

Here is my tutorial. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/i-think-i-have-a-cockerel-now-what-do-i-do.76274/

I've had cockerels display aggressive tendencies as young as six weeks. Those didn't even reach puberty.

 

[neo71665]

Unless you want to breed I wouldn't keep a rooster around young children.


I'm also a huge supporter of a flock needs a rooster but around young kids thats a different matter. Child safety trumps my birds needs or wants.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

You'll want to read this thread from a member in an almost identical situation - it's what you might expect within the next few weeks:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...aggressive-towards-my-young-children.1542995/

 

[Keiki]

I will probably keep them in the run until he calms down and knows who is boss. Then i know my kids are safe . If I don’t succeed I will have to find a other home for him. I am planing on more chicks in the spring again so I did want one rooster. I have always had chickens but he is my first rooster so I’m still learning. Thanks for al the tips everyone !