Help! My Rooster tried to attack me!

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If he were mine, he'd be in the freezer by now. If you feel the need to try to "rehabilitate" him, here is an article by Beekissed that has been very helpful. Read the link by Banty Chooks and the follwing. They both have good advice:

I'm going to give you a clue on "rooster speak"....holding him down doesn't mean anything to him. If you'll watch how roosters interact between dominant ones and subordinate ones, there is rarely any, if ever, holding a bird down for a long time when there is an altercation. There is very quick flogging, gripping by the back of the head and flinging him away or getting him down and giving some savage pecking to the back of the head or neck. No holding him down and nothing else. That's a rooster on a hen maneuver, not rooster on rooster.

Because your rooster is attacking you, you are the subordinate in this picture. You are getting dominated by your bird simply because you are walking where a subordinate isn't supposed to be walking when a dominant is in the area. What you never see is a dominant rooster getting attacked by a subordinate rooster unless there is going to be a definite shift in power, at which time the sub will challenge the dom and win...or lose. So far you are losing and not even challenging.

If you want to win this battle, you must go on the offensive, not the defensive. He who attacks first, and is still claiming the area when the other guy leaves it, is the winner. Some people never have to go on the offensive because their movements in the coop are so decisive that they move and act like a dominant and a 2 ft. rooster is smart enough to recognize a dominant attitude and behavior...which is likely why he's never attacked your husband. Most men move more decisively than do women and children and they rarely step around a bird, but walk through them.

Carrying him around also doesn't mean anything to him...it just doesn't translate at all. His environment is that coop and run floor and that's where you need to speak to him, in a language he understands. Because they are quick on their feet and can evade you, you need a training tool like a long, limber, supple rod of some kind...cutting a nice switch from a shrub or tree that will lengthen your reach by 5 ft. really helps in this. Don't use a rake or broom because they are too clumsy and stiff and can put the hurts on the guy when you don't really mean to.

When you enter your coop, walk with decisive movements and walk directly towards your rooster. Move him away from the feeder and the rest of the flock and keep a slow, determined pressure on him until he leaves the coop. The stick will help you guide him. Then...wait patiently while he gets his bird mind around what just happened. He will try to come back in the coop...let him. When he gets a good bit into that coop, take your switch and give him a good smack on the fluffy feathers under his tail if you can aim it well. If you cannot, just smack the floor near him very hard and fast until he hops and runs and keep at it until he leaves the coop once again. Repeat this process until he is too wary to come back in the coop.

Feed your hens. When he tries to come to the feeder, you "attack" him with the switch...smack the wall by the pop door just as he tries to enter. If he makes it inside, pursue him with the stick either smacking the floor or tapping him on the back or the head until he leaves in a hurry. Make him stay outside while you sit there and enjoy watching your hens eat. Use the stick to keep him from the flock..just him. Don't worry about the hens running and getting excited when this is happening...they will get over it. This is for the future of your flock and your management of it.

When the hens have had a good tucker....leave the coop and let him come back in. Go out later and walk through that flock and use your legs to scatter birds if they get in your way...top roosters do not step to one side for any other bird in the flock. You shouldn't either. Take your stick and startle him with a smack on the floor next to him when he is least expecting it...make that bird jump and RUN. Make him so nervous around you that he is always looking over his shoulder and trying to get out of your way. THAT'S how he needs to be from now on in your lives together. Forget about pets or cuddles...this is a language and behavior he understands. You can hand feed him and such later...right now you need to establish that when you move, he moves...away. When you turn your back, he doesn't move towards you...ever.

Then test him...take your stick along, move around in the coop, bend over with your back turned to him, feed, water, etc....but keep one eye on that rooster. If he even makes one tiny step in your direction or in your "zone", go on the attack and run him clear on out of the coop. Then keep him out while everyone else is eating.

THAT'S how a dominant rooster treats a subordinate. They don't let them crow, mate or even eat in their space. If the subordinate knows his place and watches over his shoulder a lot, he may get to come and eat while the other rooster is at the feeder...but he doesn't ever relax if he knows what is good for him. At any given time the dominant will run him off of that feed and he knows it, so he eats with one eye toward the door. If he feels the need to crow, it's not usually where the dom can reach him...maybe across the yard.

If your rooster crows while you are there, move towards him and keep on the pressure until he stops. He doesn't get to crow while you are there. He can crow later...not while you are there.

It all sounds time consuming but it really isn't...shouldn't take more than minutes for each lesson and you can learn a lot as you go along. And it can be fun if you venture into it with the right attitude....this is rooster training that really works if you do it correctly. This can work on strange roosters, multiple roosters and even old roosters...they can all learn. You rule the coop...now act like it. Carrying is for babies...you have a full grown rooster on your hands, not a baby.


Give it a try, but know that not all roosters figure it out. With as violent as yours has been, he may be one of them. I agree with Junebuggena - you have probably learned why he was on the auction in the first place.
 
Ok ,Ms. Meme, you have read enough, experienced enough and what are you going to do? ? ? Yes, I think you made a bit of a mistake to buy three full grown chickens that you had no idea of temperament. So, get rid of Mr. Red, get some chicks (it's the perfect time of year for that!) and move on to normal chicken raising! You are so nice and deserve a flock that loves you! Buy a few chicks and raise them to appreciate you, the one who brings the food and treats! You are worthy of happy hens and even a nice rooster! I wish I were near you to be your personal friend, you are amazing! :D
 
If he were mine, he'd be in the freezer by now. If you feel the need to try to "rehabilitate" him, here is an article by Beekissed <-( SHE IS GREAT SHES HAD CHICKENS MOST OF HER LIFE )
Give it a try, but know that not all roosters figure it out. With as violent as yours has been, he may be one of them. I agree with Junebuggena - you have probably learned why he was on the auction in the first place.
AGREED -tHAT IS WHY THEY WERE AT THE aUCTION- The rooster was mean and the hens were old ..He may Learn but he may not
tHINK lIKE A rOOSTER ! yOU ARE at the top of the PECKING ORDER .
Come in with a Attitude and threaten him with the switch
Dont worry out chasing him out ...HE WILL COME BACK IN
 
Just joined up this morning and read your post. We've had free range chickens for years and numerous roosters. In all the years we have only had one barred rock rooster that would attack my wife, but only tried me one time. My wife being attacked the initial time actually shocked her and that was enough for the rooster to forever become dominate towards her. Eventually, the rooster disappeared (insert grin) since she could never go out back without a weapon of sorts. If she turned her back he would come a running. He was dangerous.

Good luck; however, be very cautious as an territorial rooster is a very dangerous animal.

We are also south of Chicago, outside of Champaign
Hello 4rbar,
Glad to know someone in this area! I'm outside of Pontiac. I guess you think I'm an idiot! Oh well, everybody has to learn about what they care about. I'm learning the hard way! Nice to hear from you.
 
Ok ,Ms. Meme, you have read enough, experienced enough and what are you going to do? ? ? Yes, I think you made a bit of a mistake to buy three full grown chickens that you had no idea of temperament. So, get rid of Mr. Red, get some chicks (it's the perfect time of year for that!) and move on to normal chicken raising! You are so nice and deserve a flock that loves you! Buy a few chicks and raise them to appreciate you, the one who brings the food and treats! You are worthy of happy hens and even a nice rooster! I wish I were near you to be your personal friend, you are amazing! :D
Hey Peppercorn girl. I wish you were near me too! Where do you live?
I'm going out to finish a landscape job I have started, I'll be back in when it gets dark! Thanks for your kind words and advice.
KH
I worked way past dark on my yard. I'm so tired. Living on a farm is a lot of work! It's not like the farms that most people have, my only animals are my five cats and two dogs. Oh, and my chickens.
But we bought this three acres in May of last year. The guy that had it didn't take care of the yard? So, I'm starting for scratch! I'm building flower beds now. Putting a concrete paver wall all around the front porch we just had built. Next I'll be working in the garden. I'm looking forward to that. I love working in my yard. The house that we moved from had a gorgeous yard! We rented it for 13 yrs. the landlord was a bib butt! He would not allow me to bring any of my plants. I had grape vines that were just loaded! And blackberries you wouldn't believe. Hosta's all kinds of flower and plants. I should have just dug them up and not mentioned it! But I'm not like that. I always try to do the right, honest thing. I usually get the bad end of the deal , but, at least I know I did the right thing.
So, I'm having to buy everything all over again. I read somewhere that BYC has a seed and plant exchange, do you know how I can find that on here. I'd love to have some airloom seeds and plants. (I know I didn't spell that right?)
Thanks, KH
 
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If he were mine, he'd be in the freezer by now. If you feel the need to try to "rehabilitate" him, here is an article by Beekissed that has been very helpful. Read the link by Banty Chooks and the follwing. They both have good advice:

I'm going to give you a clue on "rooster speak"....holding him down doesn't mean anything to him. If you'll watch how roosters interact between dominant ones and subordinate ones, there is rarely any, if ever, holding a bird down for a long time when there is an altercation. There is very quick flogging, gripping by the back of the head and flinging him away or getting him down and giving some savage pecking to the back of the head or neck. No holding him down and nothing else. That's a rooster on a hen maneuver, not rooster on rooster.

Because your rooster is attacking you, you are the subordinate in this picture. You are getting dominated by your bird simply because you are walking where a subordinate isn't supposed to be walking when a dominant is in the area. What you never see is a dominant rooster getting attacked by a subordinate rooster unless there is going to be a definite shift in power, at which time the sub will challenge the dom and win...or lose. So far you are losing and not even challenging.

If you want to win this battle, you must go on the offensive, not the defensive. He who attacks first, and is still claiming the area when the other guy leaves it, is the winner. Some people never have to go on the offensive because their movements in the coop are so decisive that they move and act like a dominant and a 2 ft. rooster is smart enough to recognize a dominant attitude and behavior...which is likely why he's never attacked your husband. Most men move more decisively than do women and children and they rarely step around a bird, but walk through them.

Carrying him around also doesn't mean anything to him...it just doesn't translate at all. His environment is that coop and run floor and that's where you need to speak to him, in a language he understands. Because they are quick on their feet and can evade you, you need a training tool like a long, limber, supple rod of some kind...cutting a nice switch from a shrub or tree that will lengthen your reach by 5 ft. really helps in this. Don't use a rake or broom because they are too clumsy and stiff and can put the hurts on the guy when you don't really mean to.

When you enter your coop, walk with decisive movements and walk directly towards your rooster. Move him away from the feeder and the rest of the flock and keep a slow, determined pressure on him until he leaves the coop. The stick will help you guide him. Then...wait patiently while he gets his bird mind around what just happened. He will try to come back in the coop...let him. When he gets a good bit into that coop, take your switch and give him a good smack on the fluffy feathers under his tail if you can aim it well. If you cannot, just smack the floor near him very hard and fast until he hops and runs and keep at it until he leaves the coop once again. Repeat this process until he is too wary to come back in the coop.

Feed your hens. When he tries to come to the feeder, you "attack" him with the switch...smack the wall by the pop door just as he tries to enter. If he makes it inside, pursue him with the stick either smacking the floor or tapping him on the back or the head until he leaves in a hurry. Make him stay outside while you sit there and enjoy watching your hens eat. Use the stick to keep him from the flock..just him. Don't worry about the hens running and getting excited when this is happening...they will get over it. This is for the future of your flock and your management of it.

When the hens have had a good tucker....leave the coop and let him come back in. Go out later and walk through that flock and use your legs to scatter birds if they get in your way...top roosters do not step to one side for any other bird in the flock. You shouldn't either. Take your stick and startle him with a smack on the floor next to him when he is least expecting it...make that bird jump and RUN. Make him so nervous around you that he is always looking over his shoulder and trying to get out of your way. THAT'S how he needs to be from now on in your lives together. Forget about pets or cuddles...this is a language and behavior he understands. You can hand feed him and such later...right now you need to establish that when you move, he moves...away. When you turn your back, he doesn't move towards you...ever.

Then test him...take your stick along, move around in the coop, bend over with your back turned to him, feed, water, etc....but keep one eye on that rooster. If he even makes one tiny step in your direction or in your "zone", go on the attack and run him clear on out of the coop. Then keep him out while everyone else is eating.

THAT'S how a dominant rooster treats a subordinate. They don't let them crow, mate or even eat in their space. If the subordinate knows his place and watches over his shoulder a lot, he may get to come and eat while the other rooster is at the feeder...but he doesn't ever relax if he knows what is good for him. At any given time the dominant will run him off of that feed and he knows it, so he eats with one eye toward the door. If he feels the need to crow, it's not usually where the dom can reach him...maybe across the yard.

If your rooster crows while you are there, move towards him and keep on the pressure until he stops. He doesn't get to crow while you are there. He can crow later...not while you are there.

It all sounds time consuming but it really isn't...shouldn't take more than minutes for each lesson and you can learn a lot as you go along. And it can be fun if you venture into it with the right attitude....this is rooster training that really works if you do it correctly. This can work on strange roosters, multiple roosters and even old roosters...they can all learn. You rule the coop...now act like it. Carrying is for babies...you have a full grown rooster on your hands, not a baby.


Give it a try, but know that not all roosters figure it out. With as violent as yours has been, he may be one of them. I agree with Junebuggena - you have probably learned why he was on the auction in the first place.
Awww. Thanks. @chickendreams24

Yes we keep the gentle giants =Enlglish Orps. I have kids (as well as all their little visiting friends) running around through our backyard. We live in a neighborhood, so a relatively quiet and friendly roo is a must. We have the roos sleep in the garage at night so when they decide to crow at sunrise, no one can hear them. They get put back out around 8am when I let the flock free-range. By then, people are awake. They usually crow a few times when 1st put out, and then stay pretty quiet unless there's a predator or perceived threat - like a neighbor's new power tool or a scary plastic bag blowing across the yard.

As far as temperament, they're fantastic. I only had one that was unpredictable (not exactly mean, but he sometimes stood his ground until I was practically on top of him). I think by being the only rooster, he developed a god complex & wanted to test me. I didn't wait for him to attempt a fight. He went to freezer camp. Every other roo we had has been a perfect gentleman. I think it's because of a few factors:

1. Genetics. Some breeds are naturally more docile. Also any intelligent breeder will cull aggressive birds from his/her flock. By talking with the seller, you should be able to find this out.
2. Having more than one male. The cockerels will work out the pecking order in the brooder and work as a team. They share their duties as well as keep each other in line. (ie If a hen squawks, the offender will get pushed off by the protector. Not a fight, just a reminder to be kind.)
3. Regular human interaction. (but not cuddling) Each night we carry our roos to a cage inside the garage. They get used to being picked up 2xs a day as part of the normal routine. That way, if we ever need to pick them up, they do not run away from us. They'll take treats from our hands and won't panic if we pet them. It's not like they want to be held, but they don't object. Being picked up is not a stressful thing or punishment. However if two cockerels have hackles raised at each other, I can simply pick one up to stop them. (Hard to act macho when being carried.)

Here's our 5 yr old roo:
View attachment 1337776
Because of their great size, our roosters MUST be gentle. There are so many great roosters out there, why try training an aggressive one? If someone ever needs a rooster, I'll gladly give them a good one. Sometimes we get attached and processing those favorites is hard - emotionally.

Recently, we gave away a little guy named "Dinner." He wasn't going to work out for breeding, but we were happy he did not end up as his name suggested. (He would give "hugs" when being held by resting his head on an arm or shoulder.)
View attachment 1337777 View attachment 1337778
 
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Have you ever watched a couple of roos fight? It's brutal! Usually..they do the stare down w ea other b4 one attacks. Put a day aside...Put on some good protection get some pans in your hands and whoop his ass! 1st thing..walk in the coop aggressive..hollar scream...walk around with them pans in ur hands..wave them..clang them together.. ..stare at him..chase him around..make him think he's gonna die! Keep at it untill he's cowering in a corner and tired.if he comes at u..use a pan to fend him off and go after him ..push him away forcefully..if you manage to wear him own.dont leave...sit there in the middle of his kingdom and give him the stare of death for awhile. Every time that sucker moves..go after him again. Keep making him think he's gonna die for tangling with you.
I love your reply! I'll say it again, you folks are so crazy! I love it. Do you know I did just that. I think I'm making progress! Yesterday he stay in a corner until I put the food and water in. He was watching my every move! I think he thinks I'm a crazy woman! A couple of days ago I read an article by Beekissed. Took all that advice and a clicker/whistle. Scared him bad ! I chased him around, every time he would crow, I whistled or clicked. It was so funny‼️‼️ I'm getting ready to turn them out in the yard. I don't know if they've done that before? I don't know how I will get him back in. I can carry the hens if they won't come. I guess that's one way to get rid of him❓‼️
KH
 
I'm getting ready to turn them out in the yard. I don't know if they've done that before? I don't know how I will get him back in. I can carry the hens if they won't come. I guess that's one way to get rid of him❓‼️
KH

Personally I wouldn't turn them out to free range until you have that guy under control. Turning him loose is only going to give him more room to try to out maneuver you. Get him to the point of understanding who's in charge, and I mean for at least a month, before letting him out. Do it now, and he's got the advantage again.
 
@webbysmeme I think before you go much further you need to
A. Get good pics of them all. Face, butts, poop even.
B. Post pics in the emergency and disease forums here.
Your hen with bad eyes needs diagnosed before you consider getting chicks. Auctions are full of diseased animals. I'd hate to see you have a bigger disappointment. Best of luck that you'll be enjoying your flock soon.
 
Hey Peppercorn girl. I wish you were near me too! Where do you live?
I'm going out to finish a landscape job I have started, I'll be back in when it gets dark! Thanks for your kind words and advice.
KH
I worked way past dark on my yard. I'm so tired. Living on a farm is a lot of work! It's not like the farms that most people have, my only animals are my five cats and two dogs. Oh, and my chickens.
But we bought this three acres in May of last year. The guy that had it didn't take care of the yard? So, I'm starting for scratch! I'm building flower beds now. Putting a concrete paver wall all around the front porch we just had built. Next I'll be working in the garden. I'm looking forward to that. I love working in my yard. The house that we moved from had a gorgeous yard! We rented it for 13 yrs. the landlord was a bib butt! He would not allow me to bring any of my plants. I had grape vines that were just loaded! And blackberries you wouldn't believe. Hosta's all kinds of flower and plants. I should have just dug them up and not mentioned it! But I'm not like that. I always try to do the right, honest thing. I usually get the bad end of the deal , but, at least I know I did the right thing.
So, I'm having to buy everything all over again. I read somewhere that BYC has a seed and plant exchange, do you know how I can find that on here. I'd love to have some airloom seeds and plants. (I know I didn't spell that right?)
Thanks, KH
Yes, having lots of property can be physically daunting to care for. Be patient, you will get your place the way you want it to be! I live in northern California in the foothills above Lake Oroville. I don't know if you heard about the Oroville Dam in the news last year? Anyway we have 20 acres and use only about 2 acres of it right now. I want to get goats, but my husband has put so much time, effort and money into the chickens he says "NO" to goats. He says he won't do any more fences, or buildings or nuthin! Don't worry, I can get him to change his mind eventually. I've lived here for years but husband just moved up from the Bay Area a year ago, he is younger and retired later than I did. We have been working on our yard as well. We got the backyard fenced in area for the dogs squared away. We got a safer, stronger chicken coop built, and a free range area fenced too. We had a garage built and have plans and bought some of the supplies for an additional small carport. Now we are working on adding two more garden boxes with built in irrigation. The irrigation is husbands deal, I just as soon go out with a hose and water them!! We have plans for the front yard transformation and I recently found a beautiful 6 foot dogwood for the front yard at a really good price! I found a pot at Grocery Outlet cheap! and had to make it into a fountain for the front yard and that was a small one day job. I love it! I'm rattling on, sorry. If you want to find a plant exchange (it's heirloom, by the way :)) use the "search" button at the top of the screen! Good luck! Where are you living? Talk to me more!

:wee
finished fountain small.jpg
 

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