Cockerell showing his temper

[Onlysony]

I have 6 chickens, 2 pullets and 1 cockerel who share an run with 4 goats. Everyone gets along well so far. Today, I was visiting everyone and had my small niece with me in the coop - as the kids love the goats and vice versa - she's 19 months. I could see the cockerel was getting feisty (he has never shown aggression thus far) as he ruffled up his neck feathers and stretched himself so he was taller than her. He was side-eyeing her like mad (as I peeled a goat poop out of her hand that she thought it was a treasure). I sensed he was going to try and peck her so I side-stepped in front of him and blocked him...my leg made contact with his body but not in a mean way. He went all crazy on me and kicked my shin with both spurs and flapped right up my body to my waist. Then he started cockadoodling louder than he ever has before. He is only 5 months old. He is huge and already mounts his flock several times a day. Am I in for a nightmare with him? What are the tricks of the trade for helping him not turn into a jerk?

 

[Folly's place]

He'd be dinner here, very very soon. There's no way he'll be safe around small people, and he didn't mind taking you on when he was annoyed. Bad behavior!!!
If you do convince him that you personally aren't to be attacked, he'll still try out every other human he meets.
This story won't end well...
Mary

 

[Mrs. K]

Do not ever trust him with the little one again. Personally, I would make soup or plant a rose bush. There are people on here who try and tame them, but is seldom lasts long. Most people underestimate a rooster attack. They do tend to do children, then women, and eventually anyone.

Very small brain, a whole lot of hormone and genetics... when it goes south, it seldom turns back in a smaller backyard flock. People who have the most luck with these type of roosters, tend to have rather large spaces, lots of birds and multi-generational birds and loads of experience with chickens and roosters.

My vote, why risk your enjoyment of this wonderful hobby over an aggressive rooster.

Mrs K

 

[Folly's place]

Behaving around hens doesn't mean doing well with children, and risking a small child with him isn't reasonable.
Mary

 

[slordaz]

I would put him in chicken jail for a few days, he was challenging you for foiling his plans, that is not the type of rooster you want around people, may or not help, but rooster should never challenge the flock master. I realize his hormones probably aren't leveled out yet, if that jail time away from the hens doesn't change his attitude I would unfortunately recommend freezer camp or stew pot.

Do not let any kids out there where he can get to them

 

[Mrs. K]

soup pot!

 

[Cryss]

"Rooster, I say Rooster! You are going to be swimming with the dumplings!"
Definitely keep him away from children!

 

[ShannonR]

My experience is if they act like that once, they will always do it again. I have never understood why anyone would tolerate that behavior in a chicken--with children involved at that. You don't want the little one to grow up afraid of chickens or seriously injured, (think an eye mauled by the rooster). This aggressive behavior is also hereditary, so his offspring may very well be a aggressive to boot.

Soup pot.

 

[Folly's place]

He need that crock pot, not more flockmates, or, worse yet, offspring.
Mary

 

[Ebony Rose]

Roosters are a dime a dozen, try to find you one that's gonna give your family good luvin'...

Seriously though, roosters really are a dime a dozen so when one of them becomes human aggressive, regardless of circumstances, he's gotta go. In my household, he'd be processed come nightfall, aged in the fridge and cooked in a few days. That's just how I rock 'n' roll.