How to calm down a hand raised Rhode Island Red Rooster

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Quote:
Roosters are generally calmest mixed with carrots, celery and noodles and simmered on low heat for a better part of the day. Don't forget a clove of garlic and a dash of pepper.

HA! You stole my idea...hmmmm....LOL

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

There way too many super-nice roosters that need a good home to bother feeding & trying to work with a mean one...sometimes, they just can't be changed.

 

[Beekissed]

I've only had a few that tried aggression on me and they were changed the same day and never repeated the behaviour.

RIR roos are a bit fiesty and need a dominant owner to keep them lined out but this doesn't mean they will always be aggressive. Its natural roo behaviour but its just directed towards the wrong creature....my roos were always smart enough to respond to one day's lesson on this and never repeat the aggression.

And I didn't have to pick up one roo to complete this training!

 

[tcates]

I don't want to discourage you.... but I had a RIR roo that was extremely aggressive....I tried everything listed on BYC and then some. I finally had to admit defeat and give him away, and the hens are now thriving and very happy... I think they appreciated they fact that he is gone. They have doubled in size in one week, and are now laying. Point here.... not all roos can be trained, I tried everything, some might need to go away for your sake as well as the hen's. I gave him to a guy who had a huge pasture... lots of free roaming space and hens, and in 3 days he also put an ad in craig's list..... the roo started attacking him and his dog's.... some RIR roo's are just too aggressive and mean. Try everything you can, but also be ready to remove him if need be

It broke my heart, but my hen's are sooooo glad he is gone! There are good roo's, and there are bad roo's

 

[CMV]

I was surprised this year by a cockerel showing up in my sexed pullets. Naturally it had to be a RIR. I had heard the horror stories about RIR roos being the meanest of all the breeds, so I prepared myself for him to turn into a terror as he aged. He hasn't turned into a terror, but he isn't a great roo either. He is definitely human aggressive, and although he treads lightly around me for the most part, I wouldn't trust him as far as I can throw him (which from experience I can tell you is about 50 feet). He will likely end up as Sunday dinner because he cannot be trusted around people in general. I can't let the birds free-range when we have guests over and I can't let him out when my daughter is about because of his nasty sneak attacks. I think that some birds are simply never able to be trusted. RIRs are known to be some of the worst offenders.

Try to rehabilitate him if you want, but don't be too hard on yourself if you can't. You wouldn't be the first to try and fail.

Good luck with him.