We have 23 six month old chickens, five of which are roosters. Two out of our 5 bantam roos are aggressive toward me and my daughters, who are 3 and 6. One especially, our blue cochin bantam, Smokey, seems to pick a fight - even if you're across the yard, he may come over to take some whacks at you. He and his best bud, Sugar (a bantam cochin also), even tag team up; however, they have never once attacked my husband. I have been more and more irked by this behavior, thus feeling like a "Smokey dinner" is in order, and today is the final straw. As my littlest and I were heading to check the coop for eggs, Sugar apparently came at my oldest daughter, doing his usual attack at her feet and lower legs (no big deal anymore to her). As I glanced over I saw Smokey go over to her, too, only this time, Smokey jumped seemingly straight up into the air and scratched my daughter in the FACE (as she stood straight up!), across her EYE, thankfully missing her eye ball, but leaving scratch welts above her eyebrow, and a bloody one (superficial scratch) below her lower eye lid. I wouldn't have believed it (the height he jumped up as well the extent of aggression- I mean, he was AIMING for her FACE!) if I hadn't seen it happen myself. I have already sharpened my knives, but as my husband and I have discussed this situation, one very valid question has arisen: will the other 3 roosters simply start behaving the same way if we get rid of one or the two "top dog" chickens, or is this behavior specific with certain individual roosters? The others are 1 bantam cochin and 2 silky roos, and they're quite docile with all of us, even friendly. Any ideas????
I'd say get rid of him. You have too many roosters, anyhow. My understanding is that unless you have a LOT of room and enough hens for them to form more than one flock, you're just going to have cock fighting as long as there are hens present (you may have enough for them to form two flocks, but that's iffy). You can house them separate from the females and be ok, but not together. I'm not sure at what point the fighting actually starts. I'm trying to figure out a new home for one of my silkie roos right now because I don't want my two boys to hurt each other. At 6 months old, they haven't had any problems yet, but I've noticed the lesser roo is starting to keep some distance from the dominant one. And no, you won't necessarily have problems with the other roos. My dominant silkie went after my legs a couple of times until I started stalking him whenever I went out to the run. He's been pretty well behaved ever since then. And I've never had a problem with my other roo. Some are mean, some aren't.
Well, if you look at it from the roosters stand point, he is doing his job and protecting his flock, HOWEVER, you do not have to put up with that. Each rooster is different with different personalities. I remember my grandmother carrying a broom with her every time she went in the chicken yard because of a certain roo. I have 11 boys, 6 of which are sweet boys, never had a problem, ever, trying to challenge me. I do have one that is just evil. I threaten him everyday that I am going to toss him over the fence and let him fend for himself. I am bloodied every week from his sneek attacks to the back of my legs. I say, if you are willing to do the deed, go for it, especially if that one is going for the face. Sounds like you have 3 in reserve. They will of course have to re-adjust to the new line up, but that doesn't mean that they will necessarily cross you. They may already understand that you are top dog.
You could try caging that one out of sight of the others and see if you start having trouble with the others. That may solve whether the others will start fighting once he's gone. I only raise cochins (mostly standard) but have had 4 bantam roos come and go. Two of them were meaner than snakes! You couldn't turn your back or they were all over you. I have a 4 and 2 yr. old that started getting scared to go to the chicken pen because of them. They were out one day and got attacked and killed by a neighbor's dog. I have one bantam roo now and he is no problem. To be honest, I have NEVER had one of my Large fowl roosters attack me. Must be something with the bantams.
I usually am an advocate for the "catch n cuddle" treatment for aggressive roos but in this case I'd have chicken stew (as small and light as cochin bantams are don't expect much meat), the next time you may not be so lucky. Aggressive behavior in roos comes natural, it's not breed specific. It sounds like you do have too many roos. I have a Cochin Bantam roo in my flock but I also have a RR roo that keeps him in check. Actually he's the sweetest one in the bunch, now, but he has been bloodied up a few times to teach him his place.
To be honest, I have NEVER had one of my Large fowl roosters attack me. Must be something with the bantams. Napolean syndrome
Heck, I knew several men (well over 6" tall) that had Tall man's syndrome which is different but more obnoxious. The one's with short man's syndrome were all attitude but bluffing, the tall men weren't.
Chickens like people usually don't change. Some roosters are extremely agressive and some like mine are pretty chill. If he is really attacking like you say I really doubt he will change. Honestly, I'd think about making some chicken corn soup
