Can long days (more daylight hours) affect rooster aggression?

[mtblankus]

We have a rooster that is approx 1-1/2. He's been a nice rooster until the last 3-4 months.

I have parrots and have one that is a male that will bite during the months with longer days, I'm told because he's frustrated when it's mating season. The remedy is to cover the cage for at least 12 hours a day, so his days are shorter and light stimulation is less.

I'm wondering if this could work for our aggressive rooster. My son is very attached (the rooster doesn't attack HIM) and cries when we mention culling this rooster. I'm thinking it's worth a shot to build a "dark box" where the rooster can have 12 hours of darkness each day until the summer is over.

Has anyone tried it?

 

[Folly's place]

I don't think it's day length, and your rooster isn't a lonely isolated house parrot either, I'm assuming the chickens are out there doing what comes naturally!
Spring does make a difference, and your rooster is more mature, and developing human aggressive behaviors that aren't a good thing at all. Isolating him in darkness is NOT the answer!
Have you read @Beekissed 's article about managing rooster who are human aggressive? How about @Shadrach 's article, although his flock management isn't how most of us have our birds.
What is your bird actually doing? What have you all done about it?
If this is your first rooster experience, it makes a difference, both in seeing behaviors develop, and in how they are managed. And any human aggressive rooster tends to get worse, not better, and can do real harm to humans, unless he's one of the 'easily retrained' individuals, few and far between.
If you have visitors, especially children, on your property, how's your liability insurance?
Mary

 

[NatJ]

Has anyone tried it?

Never tried it, have no idea whether it will work, but I am intrigued by the idea--if you try it, please update on whether it does work!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I agree with @Folly's place

Isolating this rooster for 12 hours darkness isn't going to change his behavior other than probably put him into molt and possibly make him neurotic as chickens are flock animals. His behavior is driven by maturing hormones and genetic instincts. The moment you put him back in the yard, the behaviors will re-emerge, likely even more so, as he fights to get back into pecking order.

You can try a bachelor pad to protect the hens and prevent cock fights with the other roosters if he is the main culprit. However, that is likely just "kicking the can down the road" in my mind. *Some* rooster behavior can be moderated (See Beekissed's article), but in my experience it is mostly genetics. Aggressive roosters tend to get more aggressive or simply more sneaky. The last thing you want is to turn your back and have someone attacked, especially a kid.

I find human (and hen) aggressive roosters are tasty with dumplings, garlic, and thyme. Don't re-home as you simply pass the problem onto someone else. It is a tough part of chicken keeping. I'm sorry he is your son's favorite, but if mild behavior modification doesn't do the trick, then you either lock him up for the rest of his life, or realize he is simply too aggressive for your property.

Just my thoughts.
LofMc

 

[LaFleche]

We have a rooster that is approx 1-1/2. He's been a nice rooster until the last 3-4 months.

I have parrots and have one that is a male that will bite during the months with longer days, I'm told because he's frustrated when it's mating season. The remedy is to cover the cage for at least 12 hours a day, so his days are shorter and light stimulation is less.

I'm wondering if this could work for our aggressive rooster. My son is very attached (the rooster doesn't attack HIM) and cries when we mention culling this rooster. I'm thinking it's worth a shot to build a "dark box" where the rooster can have 12 hours of darkness each day until the summer is over.

Has anyone tried it?

Instead of solitary confinement in the dark let the parrot have a much needed partner and some mates, living in a light, big and well equipped aviary.

As for the rooster: how old is your son and do you have any other young children or children visiting?