Easter Egger Roo Agressive!

[Amy2gurl]

We raised an Easter Egger Rooster and he was sweet as pie and super friendly. Got him back in May 2024 and he only started crowing in late September. One day he chased after my 8 year old and attacked him. Thought it was the red sneakers after a second attack, so switched sneakers and he still went after my son but not as crazily. Unfortunately, now he’s going after all of us except my 15 year old. I don’t know what changed his opinion of us! He loves my 15 year old son and cuddles with him. My son would be devastated if I rehoused the rooster.

Looking for suggestions on how to calm this roo down and get him to be friendly and cuddly with all of us. At this point my 8 year old is scared of him and honestly I get anxious as well. When he attacks me I pick him up and he calms down, but as soon as I put him down he scratches and attacks my legs. I don’t like the look in his beady little eyes! Any suggestions?

For reference, we have 5 hens and 1 Roo. They get out of the run about an hour or more each day and generally seem content.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

He is a 6-mo old cockerel, not a rooster. He is reaching sexual maturity and his hormones are kicking in, he's a teenager, not an adult. Many people say that when you handle and cuddle a cockerel, they do not respect you. Often that seems to be the case because people write and say exactly what you are saying. You probably need to keep him contained until he matures, certainly don't let him around the 8-yo, who could be seriously hurt. The best thing is for a cockerel to be raised by an older flock, where mature hens can teach him some manners. Re-homing him might be the safest choice. It's very difficult to rehab an aggressive cockerel and is best undertaken by someone with years of experience. Do you need a rooster? Do you plan to hatch eggs? If not, no rooster is necessary, you will still get plenty of eggs.

 

[McChooky]

He is a 6-mo old cockerel, not a rooster. He is reaching sexual maturity and his hormones are kicking in, he's a teenager, not an adult. Many people say that when you handle and cuddle a cockerel, they do not respect you. Often that seems to be the case because people write and say exactly what you are saying. You probably need to keep him contained until he matures, certainly don't let him around the 8-yo, who could be seriously hurt. The best thing is for a cockerel to be raised by an older flock, where mature hens can teach him some manners. Re-homing him might be the safest choice. It's very difficult to rehab an aggressive cockerel and is best undertaken by someone with years of experience. Do you need a rooster? Do you plan to hatch eggs? If not, no rooster is necessary, you will still get plenty of eggs.

Excellent advice!

 

[Buckeye Amy]

I couldn't have said it any better!
I would like to add that I wouldn't tolerate aggression of any sort. Your 8 year old is more important than an idiot cockerel. I still have nightmares from being chased by a RIR rooster when I was that small.

 

[PrettyCoolChicks]

I'd rather have a devastated 15 year old than risk my 8 year old losing an eye... As someone who was attacked by a rooster as a kid, lock up that bird where it can't get to people or get rid of it. He would already be soup if it was me.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I'm going to be brutally honest here and add this to my earlier advice, and tell you that in my opinion, your cockerel is going to get worse, not better. Others may disagree with me, but I have had my own experiences with aggressive cockerels and roosters. My policy now is, "Strike one, you're dead." We had a rooster for a couple of years who suddenly started flying at my 9 yo, who usually did the chicken chores, and flogging him. I took over the chores and he came at me. He raked my legs with his spurs and I defended myself with my cane. He flew at my face and then he hit me hard in the knee with his beak causing me to fall down. He kept coming at me and terrified me. My DH rescued me. We now have the most gentle and respectful rooster and I will never again put up with a bad one.

 

[Altairsky]

Spoiled cockerels have high chances to become human aggressive. The more you cuddle them, higher the chance.
Rooster are the guardians of the flock. They evolved to fight and be aggressive. If their owners teach them respect, they are great to have. But they won't learn respect if they're spoiled and cuddled like kittens.

 

[Muser]

I have raised a few straight run chicks so inevitably end up with Cockerels. I kept one to become a beautiful Rooster who also ended up being aggressive. Someone once gave me advice that I stand by. 'Eat the problems, they are delicious problems to have'.

I tried all the tricks to 'train' them, to no avail. I don't have children but I wanted to be able to go into the yard without watching my ankles.

 

[McChooky]

For this cockerel to plan another attack he must be allowed to get close to you or the kids again. Don't let him.

 

[nuthatched]

He was never friendly, that was him testing your personal boundaries and none were established.

He's put scars on multiple people, especially a child, he needs culled.
Aggressive animals do not deserve as many chances as you've given him.
Off with his head.