Dead chickens.

[slackwater]

I had a RIR that started attacking me, and I was able to "fix" him. However, it only worked for me - and he still attacked my husband, brother, and then, when he started attacking the kiddos, he had to go. So...I think, yes, it is possible to establish dominance over a roo and have them back down. However, that dominance does NOT transfer to other people. If a roo starts going after one person, he may continue going after others later...just something to keep in mind.

 

[speckledhen]

That is not normal rooster behavior, to attack the humans who care for them. I have several roosters and not one would think of attacking the humans in charge, even when one of those humans is carrying a screaming, struggling hen. They know who is head honcho around here and they respect us as being above them, as well as bringers of food and water. I will not have a human-aggressive rooster here. I don't have the time, the patience or the need to be knocked off my feet by a walnut-brained animal. I also don't want to propagate the "stupid gene" from that rooster. My boys are calm and even-tempered and if it ever changed, they would be gone one way or another.
There are too many good roosters to put up with a super aggressive one.

 

[they'reHISchickens]

Another reason to be careful is infection: I was instantly infected at a scratch on my hand as I was batting down an attacking roo's claws. It swelled within an hour and i was on antibiotic by the next day. I no longer have any tolerance for attacking roos.
Love my current Barney: he avoids us. That's acceptable

 

[bburn]

So....what age do the 'behaviors' start with roosters? Mine are right at 20 weeks. I see a difference in them the last couple of weeks. So, I have a chicken tractor in the yard just about finished....just lacks the door and the wheels are laying on the ground. I have stepped up making it because of all the posts I have read just like this. So far, and only because I am the treat miester, they are still really gentle around me. However, their behaviors have changed towards each other and you can almost feel the tension in the run. We have way too many roo's and my plan in to thin out shortly by putting the boys in the tractor.

I have RIR and Barred Rock....and a few others that I am not sure what they are. However, there are a little less than half that are roo's. No real fighting yet but neck grabbing and bossiness has started.....and it is the RIR's. Tomorrow is the gate and the wheels on the tractor and my plan is to process what I remove from the run and coop.

I was curious at what age you are experiencing the rooster attacks.......thanks.

 

[speckledhen]

Usually, when their hormones start raging is when you'll see the actual aggression coming out. Before that, any perceived aggression is usually a boundary test and can be quelled. When they pass about 16 weeks old, I'd start looking for biting of any kind to start. The only rooster I kept that we also culled started aggression about 19-20 weeks with biting, then he later progressed to flogging and was culled at around 24 weeks when he flew off the roost and attacked my DH. Next day, he was stew.

Sometimes, a life situation or incident can cause a formerly calm tempered older rooster to begin showing aggression to someone in the family or everyone. Had that happen, too, but I knew why it happened (or was pretty sure) and someone else gave him a chance to live and took him into one of their flocks as a breeder.

 

[teach1rusl]

I can't see anyone getting snappy (or sappy) about processing a mean roo.

I'm a big softy when it comes to chickens (all animals really), but would NOT keep an aggressive animal.

 

[Yazzo]

It is normal behavior if you haven't been spending that much time with them, and/or if they don't see you as a 'friend'. This has happened many a time.
I understand your frustration.....I've felt like throwing a rooster or two out in the canyon back in the day, lol, and people I know still threaten to shoot them, but live and learn I say.
Anyways, if you're interested, I wrote a really long thread/tutorial on how to deal with aggressive roosters, without resorting to killing. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=390911 Really hope it helps!

 

[WoodlandWoman]

What is your hen to rooster ratio? I'm guessing it's pretty low, since you said you have a ton of roosters. I would process as many as you need to, until you have a better ratio. Just keep the ones with the best temperaments, who are the best with the hens, then go by looks.

 

[mgw]

Make him the special dinner guest. Nobody wants to put up with a Roos tude. $!!:;&'@$();: Roos

 

[shepherd]

Thanks everyone for your posts.

I have around 18 roosters that are all five months old. I also have one rooster a year old. I have 12 hens that I put in the run and kept them there. With the way my coop is made I can keep chickens separated and thats what ive done with the hens and roos to keep them from having bare backs because my hens last year still dont have all their feathers back.

Ive been eating 1 to 2 roosters a week and their numbers are slowly decreasing. Ive been trying to see if anyone wants free meat but I havent found anyone yet.

They are all Plymouth Rock, Buff Orpigons, Black Jersey Jiants, and Road Island Reds. The Jersey Jiants have been the random attackers but when I grabbed a hen and she went off squallin a RIR got me. when i find out whick one of my RIRs did it, hes goin in a pot.

Thanks again for your info,
Shepherd