I ran from my rooster

[FortCluck]

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.

I've only had roosters that got aggressive when they were at that hormonal stage and they calm down afterwards. Right now one of my Jersey Giants has only attacked us twice in 7 months, the other one did it once and it was MY mistake no matter what anyone tries to say.

I think too many people try to off a cockerel without ever giving it a chance and they are missing out on a lot of good roosters for the future. I would rather try everything I could possibly do than give up. I'm not the type that just gives up because it's the easier option. I'm the person that does every possible thing to ensure that I did everything before I raise the white flag.

Most Cockerels get aggressive when they're hormonal. If I killed every single cockerel that has walked on my property from being aggressive, I would have none. The cockerels are doing their job. It is our job to train them to act the way we want them too, chickens aren't mind readers. Some are unable to be trained, but some work out in the end.

I have never had human aggression be passed on from my chickens. That to me is like saying all pit bulls bite people... All animals in this world have the capability to have aggression towards humans, most aren't savage beasts though... Humans have fear of many animals, which to me is ridiculous since we are the top of the food chain.

 

[Shadrach]

A couple of points. The assumption that an aggressive father produces aggressive offspring isn't proven.
All roosters are aggressive. You may tame one who will accept you but that doesn't mean the aggression isn't there. It's just not directed at you.
What percentage of behavior is genetic and what is learned varies greatly depending on which studies you read. One thing is clear, it isn't predictable like physical attributes.
My advice to the OP is simple. Don't keep any animal that you are scared of.
This seems to me to be a case of the OP not being a suitable person to keep roosters.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I don't have problems with my roosters, and I never kick them off with a foot or stick. I do try and pick them up if they get near me, and soon they learn not to come near me, or get picked up and some like to get picked up. It never goes the way They plan it though. And never show fear.

 

[FortCluck]

I don't have problems with my roosters, and I never kick them off with a foot or stick. I do try and pick them up if they get near me, and soon they learn not to come near me, or get picked up and some like to get picked up. It never goes the way They plan it though. And never show fear.

I think the key point to roosters is you should never show them fear. They feed off of that just like a dog or any other type of animal. If you are scared of it, it is going to get even more aggressive because it has that leverage over you.

 

[gimmie birdies]

But if you get a good one they are nice to have.

 

[Kris5902]

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.

I don’t think this idea of “human aggression is always a genetic disposition” is necessarily valid. Mistakes can be made in handling or raising animals which can lead to aggressive or defensive behaviors. I have seen this in many different species.

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

Agree, and they don’t have to put up with an aggressive bird. And yes, even small animals can cause injury. But, if you approach an animal with an attitude of fear then injury is even more likely. Confidence and a change in keeper attitude and behavior can change a lot.

The Freezer camp/rehome to someone better able to deal with him option has been presented multiple times, and I don’t disagree with it at all, especially as there are small children around. (I’m eating “hormonal jerk soup” as I type this, and yes they taste quite good! ) I just wanted to point out that there may be the possibility of working around it if desired, and the behavior may change, or be changed. There’s a lot about the situation we don’t know, like “why are you keeping a Rooster?” And “how old is the ‘rooster’?”

I wouldn’t personally condemn an animal after just one instance of bad behavior, as there may have been a trigger in the situation that the keeper didn’t notice. I was also fairly prepared going in for handling intact male livestock, mentally and emotionally, but there is always still a learning curve. The first thing I examine as a handler is my own behavior and the environment and situation. Yes, some animals are just irredeemable jerks, some are suffering from testosterone poisoning, but they also may be confused, feeling threatened, or otherwise defensive for some reason. If you do need welding gloves and chainsaw chaps to work with an animal then I’m 100% for freezer camp!

 

[FortCluck]

I don’t think this idea of “human aggression is always a genetic disposition” is necessarily valid. Mistakes can be made in handling or raising animals which can lead to aggressive or defensive behaviors. I have seen this in many different species.



Agree, and they don’t have to put up with an aggressive bird. And yes, even small animals can cause injury. But, if you approach an animal with an attitude of fear then injury is even more likely. Confidence and a change in keeper attitude and behavior can change a lot.

The Freezer camp/rehome to someone better able to deal with him option has been presented multiple times, and I don’t disagree with it at all, especially as there are small children around. (I’m eating “hormonal jerk soup” as I type this, and yes they taste quite good! ) I just wanted to point out that there may be the possibility of working around it if desired, and the behavior may change, or be changed. There’s a lot about the situation we don’t know, like “why are you keeping a Rooster?” And “how old is the ‘rooster’?”

I wouldn’t personally condemn an animal after just one instance of bad behavior, as there may have been a trigger in the situation that the keeper didn’t notice. I was also fairly prepared going in for handling intact male livestock, mentally and emotionally, but there is always still a learning curve. The first thing I examine as a handler is my own behavior and the environment and situation. Yes, some animals are just irredeemable jerks, some are suffering from testosterone poisoning, but they also may be confused, feeling threatened, or otherwise defensive for some reason. If you do need welding gloves and chainsaw chaps to work with an animal then I’m 100% for freezer camp!

I had a cockerel attack me because his brother who I was petting made the sound of trouble and it was 100% my fault. I shouldn't have tried to pet him as he was walking away.

You live and you learn...

 

[Egg-Cellent Eggs]

Ok, literally this has happened to me before! I used hold the chicken down and put him in his place. That doesn't really work anymore. What I do is kick him and run. You can squirt him with a water gun which is pretty smart! If that doesn't work the best option is getting rid of him or the stewpot!

 

[Kris5902]

A couple of points. The assumption that an aggressive father produces aggressive offspring isn't proven.
All roosters are aggressive. You may tame one who will accept you but that doesn't mean the aggression isn't there. It's just not directed at you.
What percentage of behavior is genetic and what is learned varies greatly depending on which studies you read. One thing is clear, it isn't predictable like physical attributes.
My advice to the OP is simple. Don't keep any animal that you are scared of.
This seems to me to be a case of the OP not being a suitable person to keep roosters.

Agree 100% with you except for “This seems to me to be a case of the OP not being a suitable person to keep roosters.” If the OP wants to keep them, then I believe with some coaching and experience they can be a suitable person to keep roosters. Many people without any previous experience handling intact male animals are shocked by some of the behaviors, and can misunderstand them. Lack of experience and a less than ideal initial reaction doesn’t necessarily make someone unsuitable... it’s easier to train the chicken keeper and the rooster, and then you go from there.

 

[Kris5902]

Ok, literally this has happened to me before! I used hold the chicken down and put him in his place. That doesn't really work anymore. What I do is kick him and run. You can squirt him with a water gun which is pretty smart! If that doesn't work the best option is getting rid of him or the stewpot!

Where is the “dislike” button? Kicking an animal is not an appropriate reaction. Seriously, you outweigh the the rooster by at least a hundred pounds, you can’t handle him without kicking him? And running isn’t exactly a desirable result... that’s when you step on chicken poop, slip, and then the rooster can have his way with you (deservedly so, if “kick the animal” is really your suggestion)