I’m intimidated by my rooster.

[Lulu-vt]

TLDR; I’m afraid of my rooster and he won’t let me close to the hens. I need to check one specifically for some health issues I am worried about.

We got chicks last May so he’s almost a year. I got the rooster specifically to take care of the hens. And he does. He’s an amazing caretaker and he’s gentle with them. He had a great upbringing! Lots of human interaction between myself and my teenage kids. But now he’s very defensive of his flock…as he should be.
He hasn’t attacked anyone but he side eyes anyone coming towards the coop and run. If you towards him, he flaps his wings then flies up with his feet first and he’s very large!! It so intimidating.

Two weeks ago he did this to me when i went to change his water. I fell over backwards and landed flat on my back, water from the bucket all over me. Freezing cold. (too bad i didn’t have a camera running!) It was kinda funny but jokes aside, my back still hurts and i’m dealing with it every day.

I have heard to grab them and hold them down to establish dominance. I don’t think there is any way I could grab him safely.

I think one of my hens has something going on with her vent and i haven’t been able to pick her up to check her. I don’t necessarily want to do it at night. I have time in the day but can’t get close.

Please help! I don’t want to get rid of him, I just want to tame him a bit so i can sit in the run or check the health of them all.

 

[WaterfowlsPoultry]

TLDR; I’m afraid of my rooster and he won’t let me close to the hens. I need to check one specifically for some health issues I am worried about.

We got chicks last May so he’s almost a year. I got the rooster specifically to take care of the hens. And he does. He’s an amazing caretaker and he’s gentle with them. He had a great upbringing! Lots of human interaction between myself and my teenage kids. But now he’s very defensive of his flock…as he should be.
He hasn’t attacked anyone but he side eyes anyone coming towards the coop and run. If you towards him, he flaps his wings then flies up with his feet first and he’s very large!! It so intimidating.

Two weeks ago he did this to me when i went to change his water. I fell over backwards and landed flat on my back, water from the bucket all over me. Freezing cold. (too bad i didn’t have a camera running!) It was kinda funny but jokes aside, my back still hurts and i’m dealing with it every day.

I have heard to grab them and hold them down to establish dominance. I don’t think there is any way I could grab him safely.

I think one of my hens has something going on with her vent and i haven’t been able to pick her up to check her. I don’t necessarily want to do it at night. I have time in the day but can’t get close.

Please help! I don’t want to get rid of him, I just want to tame him a bit so i can sit in the run or check the health of them all. View attachment 4070788

First, To get the hen you should try suiting up, just in case he wants to pick a bone with you. I find trash can lids as shields work best. But you can also use a broom! (just don't whack him, of course.)

If you're intimidated by your rooster there's really not much you can do other than rehoming but maybe others may have something to share?

 

[rural mouse]

This article is the best I've found re: rooster behavior. It may help in working with your boy. Re: the hen. Take her off a roost at night, away from the coop to check her if you're concerned enough to need to check her sooner. If later is fine, then work on the roo first.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/understanding-your-rooster.75056/

 

[JoanieShrubs]

You know how you said he hadn’t attacked anyone? If he flies up with feet towards a person, he’s absolutely attacking them.

 

[K0k0shka]

A rooster is not worth it in your situation. He is directly interfering with your ability to care for the flock. Not all roosters are tame-able, and it's a lot harder for beginners who don't have the experience, and especially if they are feeling intimidated. He will pick up on your fear and it will only get worse, until you (or somebody else) is seriously hurt. If protection is the only reason for keeping him - you can protect your flock better than a rooster can, by keeping them in a predator-proof run and coop. You don't need this stress and drama in your life. Get rid of him.

 

[Abrahen Lincoln]

Get rid of him.

That's what I did for my rooster.

 

[LaFleche]

For health inspections it is easier to grab the bird in question from the roost at night/ in the dark.
Wear a head lamp and talk in a soothing tone so they will know it is you and not a predator.

 

[FrostRanger]

I would cull him, he may not be attacking *yet*, but he very likely will.

Honestly the only reason you need a rooster is if you want to hatch. As @K0k0shka said, you can do a lot better job of protecting your flock than he can and you will be much happier being able to tend your flock in peace

 

[Twilia]

Hey all.
Mean roo rehabber here. Let me explain his behavior first, which is very relatable to ours people (see yourself in others, the lack of this, is all that is wrong with this world):

1. Fear is over thinking manifesting itself as a perseive problem.
2. Chickens have 3 respnoses Freeze, Flight & Flight.
3. It is a combonation of his nature(instinct) & nurture (stimulus). His instinct, per say, male hormones (a survival aide, everything fuctions as a perserving tools).

"Nurture"/ a Stimulus; the presence of hens and a persieved threat (something about you, or on you, i.e. shiny boot clad foot).

"Nature"/ an innate behavior or instinct; React. You have a good roo. He chose aggression, a tool more likily to ensure the survival of his flock (he is the steward/leader).

DO NOT USE THE "BOSS" METHOD! Anyone who tells you to make him submit, or to domiate him, does not know what they are talking about. It is bad advice. You will only show him he is right to fear/react to you like that, because you are showing him you are a threat! Most of the "mean" cocks I get, were handled this way.

1. Change the persective, you change the perseption. He is wary about you, now, beacuse somthing has changed. He is reacting to that change.
2. Show him you come in peace/ your presence is good/rewarding to him.

I suppose I understand why you are also wary of him (him=pain), but someone has to show him he has nothing to fear (no sudden movements, or flailing please).

Do you have a person whom is not afraid of him?

My first advice is to pay him no heed if he jumps you, no swatting, no reacting to him. If he continues, when I do the chores, I will calmly, gentle, but firmly, pick him up and finish my chores with him!
This is a kind method that strongly says "I am here, but will not harm you," and "If you keep this up, I am going to carry you around every morning buddy!"

If you cannot correct this now, my advice is to give him to someone willing to positvely help him or take him under thier wing

 

[Twilia]

P.S.
He's beautiful! What do you call him?