I ran from my rooster

[Trevorusn]

I've had this problem with my 5mo old Polish Crested doing that to my lil silkies and cresteds. I do like you did and I peck him in his noggin like he does the babies. Not hard just firmly and I tell him no as I do it with loud voice. Im still on learning curve with them but seems to be working. Now gotta work on my 3mo old silkie roo because hes starting to do it to my other 3mo olds. And I don't run from any of them. After fighting off hawk that had one of my babies the cluck-clucks dont scare me at all

Sounds like a good start. The fact they are young helps greatly. It doesn't take much, a little time and effort go a long way.

 

[aart]

In my experience, as soon as i find a chick is going to be a rooster, I am totally hands off with that chick. To the point of ignoring him at a very young age. Days old if its possible to sex him early. I handle the future hens but never him. He sees me handle the hens and that I am not a threat.
I also ignore him as a teenager and adult. He does his job, I do mine. This has worked very well for us.

This!!!^^^

 

[Kris5902]

I have one aggressive boy out of 6 roosters and 1 cockerel. I am keeping him for breeding (I know this goes contrary to most advice, but his offspring are all fairly gentle and sweet so far, and I think our relationship issues come from a little too much cuddling when he was a chick and I thought he was a really friendly pullet).

I just carry a red plastic shoehorn, it hangs by the door to his pen, and hold it out towards him when I’m in the pen with him. When I first started this I would tap him on the head with it firmly when he would attack and walk towards him. He no longer really tries to attack me, but waits until I’ve exited the pen then half heartedly “attacks” the corner of it next to the door. “See girls... I drove that big two leg predator that feeds us everyday away!” I always move towards him, never away, and make sure when I exit the pen it is on my terms, even if that means moving back in and walking him away from the door.

Move with confidence and wear jeans and long sleeves when handling them, yoga pants and tights are not appropriate for handing livestock (though I have emergency herded some cattle in summer pj bottoms and sandals!). Yes, they have sharp beaks, claws, and spurs, and put on a really good threat display, but this is maybe a 10lb animal when it comes down to it, don’t let him be in control of the situation. Would you be terrified of a cat, Pomeranian or chihuahua? Don’t be afraid of him, you can pick him up and tuck him under your arm. He might bite you, it will hurt a little, maybe even draw blood. But really he can’t do much damage to you if you’re properly clothed.

With kids around and attack behaviors I might make different choices. My Husband and I are the only people I will let handle my aggressive boy or enter his pen. Most of my boys are great though, so hopefully this doesn’t ruin the chicken keeping experience for you.

 

[Folly's place]

I'd like to mention something here. A rooster, cat, or tiny dog CAN cause real injuries, even to an adult, and especially to a child. I've seen a situation where a house cat put his owner in the hospital with very real wounds, not nice. Jeans are better than no clothes, but body armor could be needed for some situations with roosters.
Some of us can do more than others, dealing with dangerous animals, but nobody should have to deal with a rooster who's a jerk.
Mary

 

[FortCluck]

I'd like to mention something here. A rooster, cat, or tiny dog CAN cause real injuries, even to an adult, and especially to a child. I've seen a situation where a house cat put his owner in the hospital with very real wounds, not nice. Jeans are better than no cloths, but body armor could be needed for some situations with roosters.
Some of us can do more than others, dealing with dangerous animals, but nobody should have to deal with a rooster who's a jerk.
Mary

I know somebody who got cat scratch fever from their house cat. It got really serious...

I agree with you that nobody should have to deal with in aggressive animal. Some people want to blame the owners for the rooster being that way, but honestly some of them just end up that way by themselves!

I always say humans before animals...

 

[ValerieJ]

"Nasty roosters taste best!"
Words to live by.
Mary

The meaner the rooster, the better the broth!

 

[FortCluck]

The meaner the rooster, the better the broth!

You guys are bad

 

[gtaus]

I've never had a human aggressive cockerel who actually reformed completely!

That would be my expectation. I know many people are telling us that they go into the chicken run with a broom or rake to defend themselves, but I just ask why? Why do you want to have to protect yourself from the animals that you care for? I have lots of things to worry about in my daily life, defending myself from my chickens should not be one of those things I worry about.

 

[ValerieJ]

That would be my expectation. I know many people are telling us that they go into the chicken run with a broom or rake to defend themselves, but I just ask why? Why do you want to have to protect yourself from the animals that you care for? I have lots of things to worry about in my daily life, defending myself from my chickens should not be one of those things I worry about.

Truth!!!

 

[gtaus]

They might try to attack again and you repeat this until they stop.

Wow. Lots of good ideas there in your post if you do have the energy to put into an agressive bird. That's too much time and effort for me. I'd just eliminate the problem and move on with other options.

And another thing comes to mind, why would you want a human aggressive cock in your flock passing on his human aggressive genes to his offspring? That is a trait I would actively be trying to breed out of my flock.