HELP my rooster won't let me near the hens!

[PostGhostParty]

Hi! We don't usually keep roosters because we generally only want layers but in our last batch of "all female" chicks we had a little surprise and we decided to keep him.
This is Eggs:

Eggs was one of my favorite chicks and between him and my other favorite, Daisy, they were by far the most friendly and personable so I loved to hold them and love on them.
Then Eggs grew up

I heard barred rocks were supposed to be some of the friendliest roosters so we were excited to have him in the flock but now he attacks everyone anytime they go near the hens which is devastating for me because I love my girls so much! It's gotten to the point where I have to lock him him in the coop so I can have a "girls day" with the hens from time to time. I've tried almost every tip on the internet to try and make him friendlier but it seems like he's only getting worse these days. My biggest concern is that there's a family down the road that loves to bring their 2 y/o daughter to come and see the animals and Eggs is almost as big as her- if he attacked her it might not end well.

Does anyone have any other ideas how I can make Eggs friendlier? Or is he a lost cause and I should just rehome him?

 

[DougwL]

I've had a couple roosters like him. The trick I used was to wear thick pants and tall boots and basically bully them everytime they got mean. It would eventually teach them I'm the boss and not them. Still I never felt comfortable turning my back on them. Imo there's only one solution most of the time for a bad rooster

 

[NatJ]

is he a lost cause and I should just rehome him?

I would "rehome" him into the stewpot (butcher him and eat him.) I would not want him to go to anyone else, unless they intend to butcher him, because he will probably attack them too.

 

[Mutchi]

I've had a couple roosters like him. The trick I used was to wear thick pants and tall boots and basically bully them everytime they got mean. It would eventually teach them I'm the boss and not them. Still I never felt comfortable turning my back on them. Imo there's only one solution most of the time for a bad rooster

I second that

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
Rehome only with full disclosure!!! He's dangerous, and can seriously injure someone, especially a child, in the face and eyes.
Making him 'safe' will always be relative, and he'll never be safe around children, and will challenge every new human he meets. This bird needs to be dinner for some family, if not yours.
In my experience, 'friendly' cockerels are actually just bold, sizing you up, and when they start maturing, they have no respect for you, and are determined to run the show. The cockerels who are more likely to turn out well are the birds concerned with their flockmates, and it also helps to have adult hens and roosters to teach them some humility as they grow up.
I think it's best to have your cockerels not handled and petted so much; make pets out of your pullets, not the boys.
The bottom line is, this bird will get worse, and you have small children visiting sometimes. How good is your liability insurance?!
Mary

 

[CHlCKEN]

Barred rocks are either really friendly or the devils. You got a little devil, like me. Honestly all I can say is that I chose to get rid of mine and it was really a good decision. I couldn’t go in the run without a snow shovel to protect myself or risk getting seriously hurt by him.

 

[sourland]

With the possibility of a child involved, he would have to be gone for me. You've tried - he's spoiling your time with your flock. He's determined his own destiny .

 

[CHlCKEN]

I agree. You just cannot have him anymore with children involved.

 

[Folly's place]

About insurance: most home owners policies do NOT include coverage for any farm animals, which includes chickens. FIND OUT soonest!
Mary

 

[Mutchi]

I've had a couple roosters like him. The trick I used was to wear thick pants and tall boots and basically bully them everytime they got mean. It would eventually teach them I'm the boss and not them. Still I never felt comfortable turning my back on them. Imo there's only one solution most of the time for a bad rooster

I second that