I'm failing with my rooster, Abe

[wbruder17]

I LOVE my rooster. He is a polish crested and can't see too well, which is probably a good reason why he's so docile. I've also been picking him up and holding him like a little baby since before I knew he was a roo. Now he follows me around and LOVES when I stroke his waddles, which I call his pepperonis.

In the morning when I let them out, he really likes to strut his stuff and will come after my feet trying to be all tough. When he does this is just firmly, yet kindly take my boot and shove him away. He gets it but still tries every morning. He's a good boy and is just doing his job, but needs to be reminded that he's not as tough as he thinks he is!

 

[NYRIR]

I should've stated this before...I have 8 roos...all but one are Reds(known for aggression)but none have showed any aggression towards me.I handled them daily as chicks,raised from 1-3 days old.They see lots of people because I have 3 kids still at home,my mom next door,myself and my husband...I also have friends that come over with company to see the chickens and everyone gives them treats when they go into the backyard.I have 2 of them that LOVE to be pet and come right up onto the porch to be scratched!There was only one time a roo chased anyone...that was when a 10 year old girl (wearing a bright pink jacket)from the city who had never seen chickens before came over.He didn't hurt her,but scared her by running at her.He was at the age where he was just starting to mature.She was VERY obviously scared of the animals...(even the dogs who are extremely friendly).She was walking around the yard with her arms wrapped around herself as if protecting herself.I felt so bad for her...I tried to explain that he's just doing his job,but I don't think she'll ever wanna own a chicken.I of course will keep a close eye on that roo just to be sure but so far,he's been fine with everyone else.
I did have one roo that I re-homed because ,well,(1) I had too many and (2) he was starting to bite even while still IN the brooder!I have a friend who also has chickens and I gave him to her...her older,bigger roos put him in line straight away and he's fine now...even to me.
My point is,I don't know if it has anything to do with early human interaction or if it's just "luck of the draw",this is just my very limited experience.I do know however that if one proves to be overly aggressive,and didn't respond to "training"I would probably cull and try another.May sound cruel but...I'm NOT going to have an issue every time I enter my own backyard!Unless of course the Roo is paying my property taxes

 

[Chicken.Lytle]

My rooster is diligent about doing his job , which is why he is there. To maintain the balance of power, I haze or otherwise intimidate him daily . He stopped pushing after I put him in chicken jail.

 

[sourland]

You know what, you have not failed. You are new to chickens and an aggressive rooster can be scarey to someone in your situation. Your chickens should be for your enjoyment. Even with an attitude adjustment many rooster's temperments can never be completely trusted. Get rid of him and enjoy your hens. Every trip to the coop should not be fearful!

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

I use a bucket of cold water, i have a Butterscotch Booted Bantam Roo, who has an attitude, (normally nasty roo's go in the stock pot) I will not pot him for he is a breeding project. He came to me with the attitude, 6 months of fight with him and I had had enough, just so happens his pen was outside by the rain water barrel, I was so upset and bloody, that i dunked him twice, quick and pain less, it worked. I've only had to do it once since. he is now my best behaved rooster

I've had chickens for 8+ years

 

[ponymare]

My rooster was given to me as a baby. He was found in a Wal-Mart parking lot.
I didn't know he was a rooster but suspected it may be so. I picked him up and
moved him to a horse stall temporarily then to a chicken coop... the people
who found him wanted him back, I picked him up brought him back. They called
to say he was too noisy. I picked him up put him in with 6 younger chickens and he
turned on me after that. I suffered holes in my hand and arms - no more rooster.

 

[heather112588]

Just my two sense and limited experience here, for i'm new to chickens as well: i had studied up before i got chickens and had heard alot about bad roos. It was at that point that decided to raise mine from chicks ( 1 week old). Them seeing me everyday, me picking them up everyday(yes, everyday), they knew who the boss was. My roo has only once given me the wing dance to try to dominant me, i chased his arse around the yard, he hasnt since. I do not fear him in the least bit! Everytime i look at him (hes now 8 months), i still see the baby chick that was in my hand. If you have a roo, i strongly suggest raising them and having them socialized to you.

 

[terrilhb]

I am new to raising chickens also. Had mine scince July. I have 3 roosters. I have 1 that has serious attitude. We used to let them out to free range(don't know) but when we did Thumper was following me around the yard and followed me to get my goats(tried to run away) he yelled at the goats and followed me back. Next thing I knew he was pecking me. I got a switch and popped him. Everything was fine. The next day he did it again. So I chased his butt around the run for about 5 mins picked him up and held him till he was nice. Now everyonce in awhile he tries as well as the other 2 and I walk towards them and tell them no. Try to not show fear. Good luck. Sorry about rambling I am good at that.

 

[EweSheep]

Aggressive roosters are nothing to play around with. One time chance is ever he would get with me. Unless I want a nasty dispositioned rooster to pass on his genes to his chicks, I would not keep him. Stewpot or give him to someone that wants a mean one. It does not matter if he protects his girls but I'm the alpha chicken so he better not cross me.

Very aggressive roos would get a lawsuit thrown at him if you ever have someone come to visit him, or your children getting hurt. Not worth my time or effort to retrain him all that time. Bye bye he goes.

 

[Luvroos]

I suppose in all reality it actually makes a difference if you spend more time with him! I try to spend a great deal with mine and they have all worked out ok so far. Theres a lot of people that build coops and pens for them and let them tend to themselves while using them for food purposes only. I see roosters same as I do pit bulls! It's all dependent on their owners! I again have 5 large boys that attack nearly every sole that enters my property. I try not to forget to fill every one in before visitors stop by however most are elderly family members that have been attacked in the past and then as I try to train them to respect others same as they do me, I'm literally fussed at by a few since the roos are only doing their jobs regarding not only protecting their flocks of hens as well as their domain. I normally take a broom out to shoo them away from any new comers onto this place in which works well, they'll soon get the hint for the future! They can't help their graphic nature for a rooster and most fault them for who they are!!

They to are a portion of All God's Creatures, we must train them the best we can in order to make it work to our advantage, same as dogs! They are only agressive due to the slack in their owners presumpting thoughts regarding them! Like someone had stated early in this thread that even the game roosters are kind and cuddly with a little labored training in which you'd think because they are used for fighters, same as pits, then they are not good with anything with a heart beat outside of hens, same as many pits! They are very territorial over their space and request respect while you're in it.