Done with Barred Rock Roosters

[McChooky]

I have had hatchery barred rock roosters and currently have a young one. I have had many roosters and I have found human aggressive to be not common in my birds. I believe it's due to how they are raised more than breed or source, or else why have I only had two aggressive ones in my 20 years of keeping them, and both were handled a lot. I currently also have 2 adult BO roosters, and a Barnvelder, with another 4 juveniles that are beginning to sexually mature. I also a bunch of bantam roosters as well.

I do believe children can trigger attacks sometimes due to their behaviour around chickens and they need to be taught how to calmly but confidently move through the flock so they remain dominant.

I practice a hands off approach with my roosters and mostly pretend they are not there, when they begin to sexually mature I keep an eye on them for any signs like facing me as opposed to moving away and giving me their backs, and I'm not opposed to chasing them down and catching them with a net if they are making troubles with the hens.

There are certain breeds that are more mellow and mature more slowly like the BO that gives you more time to develop a dominant relationship with them. It is near impossible to change human aggressive behaviors once they start and most attempts will cause more aggression, so it's best to make sure it doesn't develop in the first place.

Chickens fall into the category of livestock, not pets. Pets you handle and pet and you interact in a more personal manner, livestock you handle to have them tame enough so they are calm around you and you can safely handle them if necessary, but not so much that they lose all fear of you, especially the males. All male livestock has the potential to be dangerous no matter the species.

I would definitely get rid any human aggressive roosters and try again, eventually you will get a good one, and will learn how to interact with them so they don't see as a threat nor part of the flock, but as their keeper.

My father raised chickens 40 yrs . Our rooster flogged us once but we caused it. We waited until dad was gone and tried to catch the chicks. We got flogged by the rooster and got a whipping when dad got home. We never bothered them again.