I’m intimidated by my rooster.

[Sinadrea]

Mine is in a coop/run that I never have to physically enter. If I do need to handle him, it's at night with a flashlight.

I have a Dutch door at the entrance of the coop (which is inside a shed). The nesting boxes are right next to the door, so I just reach in and grab eggs. He never bothers me while doing this.
View attachment 4072241

Some - not if they're already aggressive to adults, though.

Thank you for this information. I let all of the chickens roam in the backyard which causes a problem when i want to gather eggs.

 

[Chicken_tiger_catt]

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

as beautiful as he is,he sounds dangerous. I was in a similar situation a while back, and I didn't want to eat my rooster, because he was a good boy. however, he started chasing not just me, but my six year old little sister. I was able to find a local farmer who was wanting more genetic diversity in their hatchery, and I gave them the rooster, as well as some others that were just starting to crow. that way I didn't have to kill my favorite rooster, but my sister was safe.

 

[pac]

If I do need to handle him, it's at night with a flashlight.

One of those old police flashlights? Like with eight D cells?

 

[Twilia]

I have a few questions, how do you handle a rooster when he tries to use his spurs on you sometimes? I'm afraid to get cloae to him.
How do I grab eggs with him present?
Is it possible to acclimate a rooster to a small child?
I know a lot of people say to cull him at this point but I'm looking to see if there's any way to spare him.

I have had a rough two days been off since; Mmm. I see I failed in explaining that as well as I thought I had. How long have you had this issue, and how have you dealt with it? Also, what is the age of your child?

You likely won't be able to do anything in the chicken area until we solve the root of the problem (Him/His behavior). Anything that provokes him will make this worse. "Dominating" him will only work short term; he will be back for the "rematch" later, especially if he sees you in a vulnerable spot later. It's doesn't work, only making things even more dangerous for both of you. I suppose some cocks are just ornery, except I haven't met one yet & I don't think I believe that...

1. Wear protective clothing. Nothing colorful, maybe some thick blue jeans, work gloves, sleeves, and boots. What you think will protect your hide (Bantam vs. Giant, be sure its something he cannot "get at you through". That way, you will be more confident.
2. Enter his area. Stay upright. Pay attention to his body language and stand your ground.
3. He will attack (Term is spurring or flogging).
4. (This part is where I get the hate...) Swiftly swoop him into your arms.
5. Hold him gently, in the crook of your arm, or cradle, whatever is comfortable to him, while stroking his wattles and talking to him softly for a bit (30minutes?)
6. Release him nicely, and scatter grains for him. Than walk (do not run) away.

In the case he attacks again, repeat. Do this every day until the fight is gone. It's a remedy, haha

However, if there are other people or animals involved and safety is a concern, you should rehome him to someone without the extras in the mix.

Now children... I do not have this issue. I am guessing it would depend on the age.

 

[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 positively help him or take him under their wing

Lulu-vt,
What's up? How did your roo respond?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I have had a rough two days been off since; Mmm. I see I failed in explaining that as well as I thought I had. How long have you had this issue, and how have you dealt with it? Also, what is the age of your child?

You likely won't be able to do anything in the chicken area until we solve the root of the problem (Him/His behavior). Anything that provokes him will make this worse. "Dominating" him will only work short term; he will be back for the "rematch" later, especially if he sees you in a vulnerable spot later. It's doesn't work, only making things even more dangerous for both of you. I suppose some cocks are just ornery, except I haven't met one yet & I don't think I believe that...

1. Wear protective clothing. Nothing colorful, maybe some thick blue jeans, work gloves, sleeves, and boots. What you think will protect your hide (Bantam vs. Giant, be sure its something he cannot "get at you through". That way, you will be more confident.
2. Enter his area. Stay upright. Pay attention to his body language and stand your ground.
3. He will attack (Term is spurring or flogging).
4. (This part is where I get the hate...) Swiftly swoop him into your arms.
5. Hold him gently, in the crook of your arm, or cradle, whatever is comfortable to him, while stroking his wattles and talking to him softly for a bit (30minutes?)
6. Release him nicely, and scatter grains for him. Than walk (do not run) away.

In the case he attacks again, repeat. Do this every day until the fight is gone. It's a remedy, haha

However, if there are other people or animals involved and safety is a concern, you should rehome him to someone without the extras in the mix.

Now children... I do not have this issue. I am guessing it would depend on the age.

This is not a task fof a fearful, inexperienced individual.

 

[Twilia]

This is not a task for a fearful, inexperienced individual.

You should not be afraid of your animals, especially if you educate yourself on their behavior. If so, they are not for you to have.

 

[LaFleche]

You should not be afraid of your animals, especially if you educate yourself on their behavior. If so, they are not for you to have.

She was already attacked and thrown on her back.

So the situation is way past "should not be afraid" or "should educate yourself" etc.

And she is the only one to decide what she is to have or have not. And what she is willing or able to deal with.

 

[Twilia]

She was already attacked and thrown on her back.

So the situation is way past "should not be afraid" or "should educate yourself" etc.

And she is the only one to decide what she is to have or have not. And what she is willing or able to deal with.

You should not be afraid of your animals, especially if you educate yourself on their behavior. If so, they are not for you to have.

Um, that was for you.
She had asked for my advice; I gave it to her.
I suggested she get someone that was not afraid/experienced;
or did you overlook that?

 

[Sinadrea]

She was already attacked and thrown on her back.

So the situation is way past "should not be afraid" or "should educate yourself" etc.

And she is the only one to decide what she is to have or have not. And what she is willing or able to deal with.

I asked Twilia for advice in this thread too. I wanted to see if there was an alternative to rehoming/culling. I appreciate the advice because it is different.
It is nice to figure out how to interact with a protective roo in a different way. Thanks for the information! I'm still working on my courage