Can my aggressive rooster settle?

[Alydup]

I have a 6 and a half month old rooster who is gentle with my 3 hens as far as roosters go and has previously been gentle with people accepting being held/carried. A few weeks ago I went out early in the morning when it was still dark to feed/water them and he came at me pecking my feet. I thought maybe he had just been startled and wasn’t overly concerned but today he was consistently coming at me while I tried to feed them. I am wondering if it’s due to the fact that I am not around as much now that winter is here or is it inevitable roosteryness?I have read beekissed article on managing roosters and I will try to become the boss for now and see how it goes but I have a two year old who adores our chickens and I am not willing to play around too much with an aggressive rooster. In others experience is there any hope for him to behave?

 

[bobbi-j]

I have a 6 and a half month old rooster who is gentle with my 3 hens as far as roosters go and has previously been gentle with people accepting being held/carried. A few weeks ago I went out early in the morning when it was still dark to feed/water them and he came at me pecking my feet. I thought maybe he had just been startled and wasn’t overly concerned but today he was consistently coming at me while I tried to feed them. I am wondering if it’s due to the fact that I am not around as much now that winter is here or is it inevitable roosteryness?I have read beekissed article on managing roosters and I will try to become the boss for now and see how it goes but I have a two year old who adores our chickens and I am not willing to play around too much with an aggressive rooster. In others experience is there any hope for him to behave?

The fact you have a two year old clinched it for me. I’d lose the cockerel. Even if you can teach him to respect you, he likely will not respect your little one. They tend to go after kids first - possibly because their higher voices and jerky actions upset them. Think of where your child’s face is in relation to the cockerel’s beak and where spurs would land if he got serious about attacking.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

its a risk. You can try to get him calmed down, but keep in mind, he understands individuals. He might be the type that once you remind him that people are dominant that he may settle back into place. He may not. He may decide that he's less dominant than you, but not your daughter. And she can't do some of the things you can.

So, at this point, I'd aggressively be using BeeKissed information. If he still treats anybody with any aggression, let him go. You don't want to deal with an attack on your daughter.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

And rather than editing my post, I'm just going to add. Truly, if it was my bird, he'd be getting prepped for the freezer. I don't deal well with animal/human aggression. Especially with kids. And even more so with kids who can't defend themselves.

 

[TheBeardie]

Just about any rooster I've had has at one point or another has showed aggressive behavior. Some only a peck or hackle raising and others full blown attacks. That will not be Tolerated with me. At first sign of roo behavior I start showing him who's boss.

Show him that your a bigger more aggressive rooster. He sees you as another rooster (or cockerel in your case) that is trying to steal his girls away. Keep your child away from him until you get him under control. And even then be very cautious with him.

When he shows even the slightest aggressive behavior grab him put your hand on his back and push him until his chest on the ground. Hold until he stops struggling and then hold him there for a while longer. If you make him submit enough he should completely avoid you. Don't be friendly with him and don't do anything submissive towards him.

If this does not work you should get rid of him. It would not be safe for you or your child if this behavior continues. I hope he turns around for you!

 

[Chickassan]

Agree, you have a very small kid with no fear of chickens and a cockrel coming into maturity these two things don't mix. Your flock is very small anyway and it is likely he will start to wear on your hens too. I personally would find him another home, the months where his hormones are driving his actions are nerve wracking. Honestly trying to reform him right now will be nearly impossible, he's stupid and that won't change for months.

 

[Alydup]

Ok this is my line of thinking too. I will certainly not have my children around him anymore. It’s a tough one for me because I am a bleeding heart vegetarian lol. It has only been a couple instances thus far so I will give him a chance but certainly reform my behaviour around him to being much firmer. The fact that is so sporadic almost makes it more concerning in a way though because it’s unexpected.

 

[bobbi-j]

The fact that is so sporadic almost makes it more concerning in a way though because it’s unexpected.

It is definitely more concerning. Do you know how quickly he can come at you or your child - Spurs first? Seconds. That’s all it takes.

 

[Ptera]

At over a year old, one of my friendly roos suddenly started to peck at my feet as I walked by. I figured out it was because he was always looking down & not realizing it was me. He just saw an "intruder" (foot) & went for it. He has an extra large comb that flopped over, blocking sight in one of his eyes, which also contributed to his poor recognition. As soon as I started talking to him as I approached or picked him up so he could see it was me, the problem stopped. But all circumstances are different. Your results may vary. Thejperez's method really works for roos who are just getting too uppity.

 

[Chickassan]

Once the hormones get going some of them flip like a switch. He isn't being mean but he isn't going to have any common sense at all. The lights are on but nobody's home. This is a natural thing, worse in some more than others. But totally something you can't have a little person near. Don't feel bad though, this is just a part of keeping chickens.

Ok this is my line of thinking too. I will certainly not have my children around him anymore. It’s a tough one for me because I am a bleeding heart vegetarian lol. It has only been a couple instances thus far so I will give him a chance but certainly reform my behaviour around him to being much firmer. The fact that is so sporadic almost makes it more concerning in a way though because it’s unexpected.