I need a rooster!

[Folly's place]

When you've had a jerk, consider it a learning experience, and remember his early behaviors, and what he's been doing before that first attack. You have had the kind of experiences that we've had, and it's why many of us act much sooner to eliminate idiots before anyone is injured or seriously threatened.
Our first awful rooster was a bantam who didn't weight two pounds, but would fly up to eyeball height to attack!
Mary

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

Agree! I was gonna say nothing if no one else did. I had a bantam rooster who would protect my ducks and attack my mean Muscovy drake when he went after the hens

You and @Barred Rock Mama, I see the same view as you. Roosters being protective, not roosters being idiots

 

[Folly's place]

Roosters who attack the giants bringing food aren't guarding their flock from actual dangers, not smart behavior at all.
Mary

 

[Geena]

Yep, attacking something that is 10X bigger than you, can very easily kill you, and is not threatening you in any way, shape or form = idiot.

 

[Folly's place]

And never have I seen a rooster attack a horse or steer, no matter what's happening out there.
Mary

 

[bobbi-j]

OP, I hope it all works out for you. Remember that you are getting a cockerel - immature, hormonal and unpredictable. It’s likely that he will not protect your girls (who are currently considered pullets since they are not of laying age yet) until he matures (around or after a year old). He will reach breeding age before they do. This often results in the pullets being chased down and mounted before they’re ready, causing them to be stressed.

A good, mature rooster does watch out for the flock. However, he is often just a speed bump for a predator. While a rooster might injure a hawk, he stands no chance against a mink, fox, coyote, dog, or anything that gets into the coop at night.

As stated before, a cockerel/rooster who goes after the humans that feed him and his flock is NOT doing his job. He’s not smart enough to figure out what the real threats to his flock are. My idea of a good cockerel/rooster is one who stays out of my space. When he sees me coming, he moves away. The flock will move away with him because they are more dependent on him than you, so it would be hard to make pets of the girls if you wanted to.

Since this is your first cockerel/rooster, I would like to point out a few behaviors to watch for that may indicate that he’s thinking bad thoughts about you:
Giving you the stink-eye (you’ll know it when you see it)
Stalking you
Raising his hackles
Not respecting your space
Stomping his feet at you
Wing dragging
Pecking you

These behaviors don’t necessarily mean an attack is imminent, but they could indicate that one is coming. Be mindful of where he is at all times. Especially if you have young children living with you or who like to see the chickens when they come visit. So many times I read the words, “It came out of the blue! I had no idea….” Rooster attacks don’t come without warning. People just don’t always recognize the warning signs.

 

[Geena]

And never have I seen a rooster attack a horse or steer, no matter what's happening out there.

 

[Folly's place]

Well, that rooster was nuts, for sure. And again, not watching out for any chickens in his flock, if he had a flock.
And those young steers thought he was pretty funny too! They were playing...
Once we watched one of our oxen chasing a skunk across the pasture. Not fast, just moving along behind the skunk. He was vaccinated against rabies, and that skunk never sprayed him fortunately!
Before making a video was possible, it was pretty funny.
Mary

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

Roosters who attack the giants bringing food aren't guarding their flock from actual dangers, not smart behavior at all.
Mary

They don't always see you as the food provider, especially if you use feeders

Yep, attacking something that is 10X bigger than you, can very easily kill you, and is not threatening you in any way, shape or form = idiot.

To me that's more courageous then idiotic. You are threatening by coming in his space, grabbing his hens and being much bigger then him.


Y'all, I am not saying we should keep and tolerate our aggressive boys but don't just assume he is aggressive after 1 attack.

 

[3KillerBs]

You are threatening by coming in his space, grabbing his hens and being much bigger then him.

If he doesn't understand that I'm not hurting the hens when he's seen me doing it every day of his life then he's too dumb to be allowed to breed and perpetuate his stupidity.