Cockerel Keeps Attacking Me!

[ChocolateWingTheRooster]

I love him, but today he poofed up, pecked and flew at me! Usually I can just hold him like a cat, but he was just being a jerk today! Anyone know how to calm him down?

 

[Xerocles]

You're about to hear this a lot. Get a gallon milk jug. Cut the bottom off. Cut the top so there's about a 4 inch hole. Stick him in it, head first and hold him upside down. Get a really sharp knife.....

 

[ChocolateWingTheRooster]

You're about to hear this a lot. Get a gallon milk jug. Cut the bottom off. Cut the top so there's about a 4 inch hole. Stick him in it, head first and hold him upside down. Get a really sharp knife.....

Not killing him if that’s what you suggest!

 

[aart]

You need to give more details.
How old is this bird?
What are the ages and genders of the rest of your flock?
Do you cuddle all your birds?
What were you doing when he attacked?

 

[AllenK RGV]

Aart's got some good questions, my best guess is the your cockerel is hitting puberty. You can try and wait him out and see if he mellows in 6-8 months. My past bad experience with human aggressive cockerels has taken me from the bleeding heart try to rehabilitate them camp into the cull at first sign of aggression camp. Last spring my cockerel turned rooster attack could have resulted in the loss of at least one eye. I was fortunate and only got spurred right between them. I have failed to rehabilitate a single cockerel who shows human aggression.

 

[Folly's place]

We too started with a jerk rooster, and defended ourselves from him way too long. Then, we tried the 'rehab' thing, which wasn't so successful. Then we'd go with 'three strikes and you're out'. Now, it's 'don't think bad thoughts, or you're gone!
Your boy doesn't sound good right now at all.
Something to consider; If you convince him that you personally aren't to be attacked, this won't apply to any other human. Each individual human has to somehow convince him too, and it can't be done.
Genetics plays a big role in this behavior, and that is something he can't change.
Mary

 

[moniquem]

If I had a dollar.......

 

[SapperSix2019]

The way I fix it is by picking him up and hanging him upside down by his feet. Just do this for a few minutes and it shows him again who is the boss. Hope it helps!

 

[Folly's place]

There are a lot of methods for reforming jerk roosters, and that's only one of them. Beekissed has an excellent article about managing such birds, and there are other articles here if you look them up. Once in a while a marginal bird may improve, at least for one person. @AllenK RGV 's story is something to consider; eyeballs are important, and can't be replaced!
Mary

 

[Ted_Harrell]

Sorry to say this but if your efforts to reform him don't work, he could end up passing this aggressive behavior on to his offspring and I figure you don't want a yard full of aggressiveness. Chicken soup might be the way to go if he can't be turned back form the dark side. Good luck with him...