I was afraid this would happen with my previously mellow rooster…

[sooartsyfartsy]

Got attacked for the first time 2 times today…

I’m trying to get over my sadness and be realistic about this. I love my Henry and wish we could continue our relationship of me adoring him and chatting with him and him getting juuuust close enough to be out of reach if I even try to touch him. He’s never been a needy bird - but still communicates with me, which has created a little bond, even though not a close, cuddly one, like some of my hens. I’ve accepted him and the fact that I’ll probably never be able to gain his complete trust and definitely any kind of mutual love.

The attacks have me worried and I know from what I’ve read here that I must act NOW! My problem is that I’ve NEVER been able to grab him…even as a baby he was always skittish and just out of reach. When he attacked me from behind today, I was caught off guard and completely shocked - and he probably picked up on that. If I had known, I would have immediately tried to grab him. But I feel like this is going to be some kind of circus act with me running around the yard chasing him and then he wins! Ive never been able to hold him…even as a baby - don’t know how I’ll be able to now. He is VERY quick and stealthy. I know it all comes down to me just making it happen, but any advice would still help.

Thanks to everyone - you guys are life savers!

 

[Folly's place]

So sorry that this is happening! Don't feel guilty that he's being a jerk, and is faster than you are. Holding him won't fix anything anyway, in spite of some opinions expressed here. And he obviously doesn't love you, his chicken brain isn't wired that way.
How old is he, and is this your first flock? You are getting that experience that most of us have gone through, learning early warning signs that a cockerel is having bad thoughts, before that first actual attack.
You are so right about the fun circus you will have running after him! Add a big long handled fish net, and it might be possible to wear him down and catch the little beast before you wear out. Been there, done that! It won't make him a better person, at least not for long.
If small children or visitors are involved, he needs to be gone ASAP! If it's just you, trying to get him to respect your space and behave might make you feel better. We've tried and failed several times, and don't bother any more to retrain an idiot who wants to hurt the giants who bring food.
Mary

 

[sooartsyfartsy]

Just an update because I hate when post gets left before a resolution/ending is posted.

We still have our terror, Henry. If there was a competition for the “Most Ruined Legs”, I’d win! I can’t ever shave my legs because I always have a combo of old scars/new punctures/partially healed wounds…etc!

I woke up yesterday morning ready to have him put down by the vet. I’d rather spend the $40 and see him pass painlessly by injection than to have him know the fear of being put on the chopping block. Go ahead and judge and call me silly and naive, I don’t care. I raised this little stinker from a few days old and he’s never liked me. But I can’t hold a grudge as hard as I try. He’s being a normal rooster and I can’t take that personally. Sadly, I am getting very very close to calling it quits on dealing with him. I couldn’t give him to someone (even if someone wanted him) knowing he’s a meanie. He’s literally dangerous and got me in the neck as I bent down the other day. He’s sneaky and lightening fast, and has a lifetime goal of killing me. I have to admire his persistence. I don’t know what I will do or when it will be 100% decided in my mind. It has been a long 2 years with him and he just gets worse, which is probably normal. He’s been an awesome mate/protector to my hens. I appreciate that about him. But it’s at the point where I’m tired of it affecting my relationship with my other birds. I can’t sit with them without watching my back. I can’t just relax and enjoy them and talk to them and hold them, which is what I always truly wanted when I first decided to get chickens. I could care less about egg production…I wanted lap hens/friends. For 2 years I’ve had to be so cautious, sneaking around with some kind of stick/rake/broom to block him from impaling me. He usually wins anyway. His spurs are looong and sharp. I doubt it would make a huge difference to grind them down - his “impact” alone feels like you got hit with a 2x4. He’s so unbelievably strong.

Anyway, just wanted to get these feelings out into the atmosphere more than anything. Thanks for listening

the 1st pic is of little Henry. 2nd pic is him now, in all his glory

 

[Folly's place]

He's your first rooster, as I recall. Been there, done that. Both you and your hens will be so glad when he's gone! having chickens is supposed to be a good thing, not a wild attack animal adventure. You'll never be willing to have this nightmare happen again either.
Mary

 

[SourRoses]

He’s being a normal rooster and I can’t take that personally.

No, that's not normal. Aggression towards humans is never acceptable.
All this time that you've been concerned for his head on the chopping block, tons of well behaved roosters have been killed because there were no good homes for them. Breeders of quality stock often put down many cockerels every year for very minor appearance faults, as well as last years proven breeders.
You could be enjoying your chickens in peace!

I don’t know what I will do or when it will be 100% decided in my mind.

It's not a magic moment that happens TO you... it's a choice you make to take abuse or not. If you don't take the reins they will always remain in the hands, or should I say talons, of another.

I can’t ever shave my legs because I always have a combo of old scars/new punctures/partially healed wounds…etc!

Oh my gosh... what did you ever do to deserve this??!

It has been a long 2 years with him and he just gets worse, which is probably normal.

Yep, an aggressive rooster getting worse is normal. He will continue to escalate. People have lost eyes to roosters. They've suffered life threatening infections. At least one man in the last few years bled out and died after his rooster spurred his leg.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Have him put down and be done with it. You don’t deserve to be constantly attacked and in fear of it.

 

[Shadrach]

An unfortunate tale.
After two years of this I think that's more than enough. Whatever the reasons for this situation I think it's time to call it a day. I don't know what methods you may have tried to resolve the situation and not being fast enough or aware enough to deal with his behaviour at it's early stages means that at his age he is probably unchangable while you have him.

Take him off his perch one night and kill him.

 

[Mrs. K]

It will be money well spent. At night, put on a thick sweatshirt and leather gloves. Reach in and grab is legs feet firmly. Pull him off the roost and stick into a dog crate. Next day, take to the vet and drop him off and don't look back. Nearly all of us kept the first one too long. When you go home, go down and enjoy your birds.