Help! Bringing new pullets into an existing small flock

[lazy gardener]

if you act like another rooster around him, it will make things worse actually. if you chase him, he will constantly attack you, thinking you are another rooster. but i agree on the first part, a human aggressive rooster should NOT be tolerated. if he tries to attack, i would suggest gently backing away. also, don't make quick/threatening movements around him and don't carry large things around him.try feeding him out of your hands.
~Marie

I have successfully dominance trained several roosters with this method, most of the technique coming from Bee kissed who has 40 years of successful flock mastery under her belt. I can guarantee that backing away from a roo will encourage the aggression, and not stop it. I can also state that feeding a roo out of bare hands is invitation for a skin wound. But, everybody has their own methods for working with their own flocks, and what works for one might not work for an other.

 

[Mrs. K]

Agressive roosters have ruined the whole chicken experience for a lot of kids. There is nothing funny about being attacked in the face as you have found out. Instead of your nose, it could be your child's eye. Personally, when asked I strongly recommend an all hen flock the first year.

I have a theory, that a rooster raised with just flock mates, generally becomes a bully. He out grows the pullets, becomes sexually mature before the pullets, and because he is bigger and more aggressive, often times gets very mean. A rooster chick raised in a multi-generational flock, will grow up with quite a few birds bigger than he is, these birds will school him in proper chicken society, the older hens will not tolerate his aggressive mating stance. He must get much older, and more mature until he is granted that privilege.

You have a beautiful set up. with plenty of room for your current flock. I would strongly recommend culling this rooster. As you and your son gain more experience, you can easily add a rooster, either raising him in your own flock, or getting an older rooster, that has been such a sweetheart, that his owner did not want to cull him, That is the one you want. Join a local poultry club, or 4-H, and you can find that rooster next year.

Mrs K

 

[CluckerCottage]

I also would recommend NOT having a rooster with your first flock. Too much going on for your pullets.
Since he is already a terror, give him a bachelor pad with meat bird feed and have some nice grilled chicken in a few more weeks.

 

[Chickensfan]

Very good advice. He needs to know that you are the boss.
Gently backing away if a rooster comes toward you makes him think he is the boss. We do not want him to think he is the boss. He may go after OP if she tried LG's suggestions. That would say to me that he should not be kept. If the rooster can't figure out that OP is not another rooster, but the human that brings food, I'd move him along. Some roosters just don't reform. I'd definitely think twice about keeping any bird that goes after my face when I'm working in the coop. I wouldn't think on it very long.

OP, you have been given some very different suggestions, but that's the beauty of the forum. It may be confusing to have differing views, but it gives you something to work with. If one approach doesn't work, try another if you're determined to keep this bird. Keep trying until you find something that works, or you've exhausted all your resources and determine that nothing is going to help.

ok.

 

[Chickensfan]

I have successfully dominance trained several roosters with this method, most of the technique coming from Bee kissed who has 40 years of successful flock mastery under her belt. I can guarantee that backing away from a roo will encourage the aggression, and not stop it. I can also state that feeding a roo out of bare hands is invitation for a skin wound. But, everybody has their own methods for working with their own flocks, and what works for one might not work for an other.

ok then. feeding my roos and hens usually works for me.... then again, i have a very odd flock!