How to make a rooster less aggressive?

[crait]

@HorseFeathers NV:
I'm never around when this happens. I'm not even sure if it ever does. He may just be charging them.
Good point, though, saying that I'm part of his flock. I never thought of it that way.

I don't have to worry about spurs because his are only little nubby nubs.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

I'm never around when this happens. I'm not even sure if it ever does. He may just be charging them.

Wow, well now that can be a toughie as you know!

You will need to talk to you folks and get their help. Now I know you are/do/have/have tried, but let me tell you how am I “seeing this” with regards to what I have read and how I might approach something like this. I am in no way suggesting that you do it “my” way – or even that this is a great/good way – just an example of what I would do (this might give you a different perspective of looking at the problem and finding a solution).

This is a “monster under the bed” situation. The emotions regarding the monster are valid (being scared, upset, terrified, fearful, anger – whatever the emotions are) but there may or may not be a monster. (maybe some critter –dog, cat, mouse, hamster- is actually under the bed making noise in the dark and woke the sleeper - or maybe the house was creaking/settling and that noise startled the sleeper awake – maybe there is an actual “monster”/person under there – all are terrifying “monsters” until examined and identified)

Maybe Url is “charging” them – running towards them in gleeful greeting and they are mistaking it for attack. Maybe he is “attacking them” by pecking at them – could be curious pecking or aggressive pecking. Is he “flying” at them because he want to sit on them and check them out – or flying up to peck them away. Or maybe he is full out attacking them, running, flying up and aggressively pecking. Without seeing the attack yourself, the “monster” has too many possible reactions/interpretations to even begin to speculate on a solution.

So this is a behavior you need to observe…..and it will require your folks to participate and a place for you to view but still be unseen from the outside flock (window would be good). Since this behavior takes place when you are not there, adding you to the “mix” could produce a different result.

Before talking with the folks, I would find a view/vantage spot – how easily can I see where the people are entering the “target area” – place I can easily see the birds and see the people. Then I find a way to make my “targets” (folks) more comfortable with my experiment – (how can they protect themselves) arm each with a broom or leaf rake (long light n flexible tines, not the short thick n heavy tines) that way they can push the aggressor back a distance until I can get there or they can get out of the area. Now I talk to the folks and it would go something like this.

Sit the folks down and say: Just so there is no misunderstanding I want you to both know I love and respect you both. I know lately there has been some tension over Url and I would like to calmly explain a possible solution, without interruption, once I am done, please do not answer right away, take a bit of time and think about it/discuss it (they will need to agree to participate and to the solution – I want them to have time to reflect upon this, possibly contemplate outcomes). Then let me know when you are ready to talk about it.

I would like to do an experiment and require your participation and cooperation. Please don’t misunderstand and think I don’t respect your statements about Url’s aggression, but I would like to see for myself what he does exactly.

Then I explain my experiment, the reason for my experiment (see what exactly happens) – window watching, how they can protect themselves - push rake/broom – and how once I see how he reacts, I can try to find a safe, agreeable to all - solution. {brainstorm any questions they may have so you have some answers at the ready – pretend you know nothing about chickens and were asked to “be attacked” – what might you ask/question, how might you react?}

If they agree, then I proceed. Once I know what happens, it is easier for me to chart course of action.

Running towards them with glee – show them what they can do – or what you do (My chickens run towards me with glee – fast as they can, wings flapping, bodies almost lurching side to side as they run. Could be very scary/intimidating if I did not know it was happiness and not “I am coming to eat you, best you run like crazy”.) I talk to them a bit and walk away to do whatever I set out to do before they saw me, sit down and let them examine me - spending various amounts of time with them, or throw them their treats – whichever greeting is best at the time – they are happy with all of them.

If he is pecking at them, show them what I do. For me, they peck because they are curious – they have no fingers to feel items with and so much use their beak. Couple examine tastes/pecks and their curiosity is resolved. If they peck too hard, I say in a startled/bit louder than normal “ouch” and push them lightly away. (watch your birds – when one investigates/pecks too hard on another, the “hurt/offended” bird will squawk and push/peck/chase the “attacking” bird away or move away themselves – the hurt bird’s reaction will depend on its “position” in regards to the “attacker” – dominant will push/submissive will run. Not always/100% of the time, but from what I have observed in the majority of the time. )

Aggressively attacking – well I will need to have a heart to heart with myself and decide on the best solution for everyone who lives in the house, on the property. (Behavior modification. Build him a larger pen that he cannot leave when the girls are out – can daily rotate girls who are confined with him so he is not lonely. Get rid of him. Or other?)

If they disagree, I have to contemplate that maybe they just flat do not like him. Who knows why – they may not ever (people are just like that). Some people dislike roosters simply because they are roosters and it does not matter how nice the rooster is. There are people who can/will change their mind/opinions, but there are also people who cannot/refuse.

Sorry this turned into a book! Best of luck.