Do roosters ever chill out? Did I do something to prompt the attack?

[cupman]

My rooster is about 6 months old, he's a barred rock and he's a big guy. 2 weeks ago I picked a broody hen off of her egg pile and rooster didn't like that, the fight was on, I kicked him twice to keep him away from my body before running into the house, 30 minutes later I went to go feed them treats and everything was fine. A week later my dad was home and walking to get some fire wood and he passed the rooster, then walked 30 more feet to the wood pile only to get nailed in the back of his calf(so obviously it waited until he turned his back and chased him down). The rooster didn't apply the spurs and there was no broken skin or bruising, but the rooster did get thwacked with a shovel until he chilled out. Well just today I went and let them out to free range, I go in and grab the eggs out of the nesting boxes and I go to leave and I'm met by my rooster. I try to walk one way he goes that way, I walk another he goes back, in an aggressive stance. I get ready to give him the kickball treatment and all the hens come running over. He seems to have lost his train of thought and he went chasing one of the hens around trying to mate with her.

I've heard people do things like pick their rooster up and hold them upside down, but I think before I could do that he would put a bunch of holes in my arms. I can understand the first attack, taking the hen off her eggs and triggering his instincts, but the last two don't make any sense to me. Could it be that I was harvesting the eggs from the nesting boxes? Will roosters calm down as they get older? I don't want to kill him, it was out of the question, but now I'm starting to entertain the idea. He might become dinner if he doesn't learn to respect me and my guests. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[silkiechicken]

He's at the age where he is challenging everything as foe. Run at him before he runs at you, don't turn your back or leave him without making him run first. Often they will mellow out by a year old, but you have to show him you are boss every time you get near. Of course, being nice to them, being mean to them, and foot balling them around the yard may not work for some roos and stew may be best.

 

[Illia]

Sorry, I'd butcher or sell him. Yes, roosters can be pretty "cocky" when they're young but they should not attack people. If you plan on breeding him/keeping his chicks, I'd advise not to keep the boys.

 

[gavinandallison]

Our Barred rock roo never made it to a year, we had held him, fed him by hand but still became vicious.... If you do not intend to eat him if you cull pm me and i will tell you a humane and respectable way to do it....

 

[SkyWarrior]

Soup is good food!

 

[cupman]

I really like him and don't want to kill him. Thanks for all of your advice, I'll try to get him to submit. And just to clarify, all kicks and hits with a shovel were done merely as protection and never used force we thought could possibly injure him. He's pretty well liked in this household and I'm hoping he can stay.

 

[blueskylen]

we had a welsumer - beautiful bird - but you could never turn your back on him. luckily his spurs had been cut before we got him because he would have cut me many times. as much as i hated to, we gave him to a neighbor for dinner. now we have an old german spitz with huge spurs that someone gave us. he has never even looked like he wants to defend his territory and is an excellent protector for the hens - as far as keeping an eye out for danger- but i don't know what would happen if something attacked....probably run

 

[Oregon Blues]

I wouldn't keep him because he is aggressive, but it's your choice.

Yes, you did do a few things "wrong". (not really wrong, but that make him think he is the boss).

I tend to be careful around the nest if a protective male is around. I consider it their job to protect and I don't want to provoke them into doing their job and then punish them for it. They absolutely must allow me to investigate the nest, but I try not to put them into a bad position where their options aren't good.

First mistake was to run into the house when he misbehaved. If you ever back down, he is the boss of the barnyard, and you aren't the boss any longer.

Never ever walk around your rooster. You are the flock boss, and you walk wherever you wish and he gets out of your way. You walk straight and make him get out of your way.

Do not allow him to eat until you are finished. No hand treats, and don't allow him at the feeder until after you are done placing food. You are the flock boss and you eat first. He waits until you are done with the feeder.

Just a note here: I do not mess with the goose's nest. She can be the boss while she is on the nest. I'm not about to take her on, because she really means it. A chicken, however, should allow you access to the nest. My ganders don't like it, but they allow me near the nest. But the ganders and me are all scared of the goose while she is on the nest.

 

[JackE]

I had a GLW rooster and the older he got (He made it just over a year), the worse he got. I didn't have too much of a problem with him. But he terrorized my wife and daughter. It got to the point when they went out in the yard, they had to carry a stick to keep him away. He would come after me sometimes, if he thought he could get me. I could hear him running up on me. It was kind of funny to me. But, in the end, he just could NOT be trusted if visitors came over, Not to mention my wife and daughter. They didn't want to get rid of him either, but in the end they realized he had to go. Now we have a BO rooster, and he is a true gentleman. Like other people on the forum have said, There are plenty of nice roosters out there and no need to deal with a mean one.
Jack

 

[AZBootsie]

Earlier this year I had to rehome my favorite rooster when he turned mean. (yes, my friends knew what they were getting and wanted a cranky rooster to protect some free ranging hens). After reading about a thousand Roo theories I picked a tactic and am having good results so far. Starting as soon as I can tell a chicks gender I do not baby the Males. If they jump up on me that is fine, but no hand feeding. Of course I handle them when necessary and they tolerate it well. I have several 22-30 week old cockerels now that have not shown any signs of aggression. They aren't really afraid of me....just timid at times. They brush against me to reach the food dish. Come up and check out what I am doing, but take a step back if I reach out to touch them.

Tomorrow I may change my approach. For now this seems to be working.