Dr. Evil - How to gain some respect?

[Echobabe]

Chickybaby,
All I could think about while reading your post was Pet Semetery! That manure pile of yours must be magical. What a nightmare, glad I don't have any roos.

 

[bakerjw]

I understand your reasoning that not being handled very often as a young cockerel might be part of the problem but also keep in mind that extensive handling of young roos can cause the same behaviors that you are dealing with.

I believe that the key is exposure to humans rather than being cuddled by humans. My 2 main white rock roos weren't handled very often as chicks. They were picked up and interacted with on a regular basis but were never lap chickens and I now have 2 boys who are a bit standoffish but will readily take treats from my hand. They follow me around when I walk the run and I would never hesitate to turn my back on them. The breed has a lot to do with it as well.

What you have probably cannot be changed and the genetics are probably predisposed to aggressive behavior anyway. I'd check with others who raise the breed and see if any of them have decent behaving roos. If they do then replace him with one of their flock.