*IMPORTANT* - How to deal with an Aggressive Rooster

[wilmothfarms]

I just wanted to say thanks for this topic! When I was new to chickens and decided to keep 2 of my cockerels I had no clue what to expect. I'd heard TONS of horror stories and expected I'd have 2 of those horror stories on my hands. But just like Yazzo and Blackhawk37 stated...its really just the opposite. I had 2 and LOVED them.. We have a farm...and I decided to treat my chickens just like I do my dog, cats, horses, cows etc...study them, spend time with them, see the world as they do and learn how they interact so that I could see their behavior. So many people are scared of cows for the same reasons that people are posting on here about fearing roosters....and you think a rooster can hurt you????? Why dont you try working with a 2700 pound bull....trust me a rooster is a piece of cake people. Chickens - as with cows- are a FEAR BASED animal...and once a person realizes that then it all just falls into place. Once you find out what scares them ...and how to avoid that...then you can handle an animal MUCH easier. the error isnt in the animal, its in how we react to the animal. I see this every day when we walk among a head of 200 cattle....run them thru a cattle chute to doctor without any fuss...when you learn how the animals communicate - then you can communicate back, and I guarantee if you have a mean rooster then there has been something done wrong by a human, or in your own body language. And I bet 9 out of 10 times it CAN be fixed. NOW with that said....NO ONE should be irresponsible to put a small child with ANY animal that shows aggressive tendencies unattended to the fullest extent, or there could be a little one with a missing eye in a split second. Some small children just arent strong enough to hold a big Roo...that really needs to be stressed! Unfortunately some people just may NOT understand that. In fact it really should be advised that if you have a really young child until you have a Roo under control that a young child not handle it...once you do THEN let your child practice your techniques. Safety first and foremost. I read the entire thread and just felt that wasnt stressed enough.
It is a real shame that it seems that on informative threads where advice that is actually GOOD common sense advice given, people respond in such negative ways. It really ruins it for the people that are appreciative, or LIKE the thread to begin with. Attacking someone because you dont agree with it is so childish, and in the way it was done here was totally uncalled for. I'm not above killing a roo...in fact I DO eat chickens, I raise some for that purpose, and then I have my permanent flock that I love and adore and will never harm a feather on their fat fluffy butts....I can understand how a terrible terrible incident can ruin your opinion of roosters...but blasting people's opinions of how to handle a rooster rather than just throwing them in the freezer and wanting that to be a last resort or continuing to make snide comments is counter-productive for everyone. Yazzo you clearly stated your intentions, for that I'm very happy I found....I intend on keeping the roosters I have....Leghorn, Mille Fluer, Bantam Cochin, and a Standard Cochin....YEP.... and I intend on everyone getting along with each other,the Roos, the hens, the family, the dog, the 2 cats that they will live IN the coop and yard with, and my horses and cows, always have and always will....so far...none of my animals have had a single eye pecked out either...and to the person who lets their chickens peck the burrs from their dog...NO NO NO NO...dont let that bad habit start please...your itchin' for a switchin'!

 

[speckledhen]

It is a real shame that it seems that on informative threads where advice that is actually GOOD common sense advice given, people respond in such negative ways. It really ruins it for the people that are appreciative, or LIKE the thread to begin with. Attacking someone because you dont agree with it is so childish, and in the way it was done here was totally uncalled for.

You have to allow for the fact that sometimes, with some roosters, it will not work. If you think a dose of reality is being negative, well, good luck to you. It does not work with all or even most roosters. It has never worked here at my place--I'm not new to chicken keeping, all my birds are handled from DAY ONE here, even the ones who will be sold; most people who have many roosters simply do not have the time to carry a rooster around on their hip all day long. By acting like this is THE solution to an aggressive rooster problem, you are setting too many folks up for blaming themselves when they still end up with a rooster who is still aggressive, just more sneaky about it. It's not negativity, it is reality.

Try these "techniques". Do it. Have at it. Hope it works for you. No harm in trying. Just don't be surprised when you get hit from behind by a rooster you thought was "cured". People, that isn't being negative, that is being real and being cautious. And whatever you do, don't put a little child in the pen with a rooster, unsupervised, period, even if you think you have "renovated" him. That may be the biggest mistake of all.​

 

[Katy]

I've dealt with many roosters in my 57+ years.....both good and bad. More good ones than bad. Are there roosters that can have a true, lasting attitude adjustment? I'm sure there are a few, but I think there are probably far more that won't ever change their ways no matter how much you carry them around and pet them. If that is something a person choses to do that is their choice. It is not something I want to waste my time doing when there are so many good roosters. I think a thread like this gives a false sense of security to people...especially people who are very new to poultry..... who feel like now he's "safe" to be around. We too have a cattle herd......we also won't keep a bad bull around either. Not a trait that we care to have in our cattle herd either.

ETA: Well said Cyn.

 

[wilmothfarms]

Quote:
You have to allow for the fact that sometimes, with some roosters, it will not work. If you think a dose of reality is being negative, well, good luck to you. It does not work with all or even most roosters. It has never worked here at my place--I'm not new to chicken keeping, all my birds are handled from DAY ONE here, even the ones who will be sold; not to mention, most people who have many roosters simply do not have the time to carry a rooster around on their hip all day long. By acting like this is THE solution to an aggressive rooster problem, you are setting too many folks up for blaming themselves when they still end up with a rooster who is still aggressive, just more sneaky about it. It's not negativity, it is reality.

Try these "techniques". Do it. Have at it. Hope it works for you. No harm in trying. Just don't be surprised when you get hit from behind by a rooster you thought was "cured". People, that isn't being negative, that is being real and being cautious. And whatever you do, don't put a little child in the pen with a rooster, unsupervised, period, even if you think you have "renovated" him. That may be the biggest mistake of all.

Actually what I said was this about children: .NO ONE should be irresponsible to put a small child with ANY animal that shows aggressive tendencies unattended to the fullest extent, or there could be a little one with a missing eye in a split second. Some small children just arent strong enough to hold a big Roo...that really needs to be stressed! Unfortunately some people just may NOT understand that. In fact it really should be advised that if you have a really young child until you have a Roo under control that a young child not handle it...once you do THEN let your child practice your techniques. Safety first and foremost. I read the entire thread and just felt that wasnt stressed enough.
Yep there is the odd rooster that some people just cannot learn how to handle. And no I dont thing that giving a dose of reality is being negative I think that attacking someone in the manner it was done...and the snide comments from another poster later (not referring to you) WAS negative. Not everyone can deal with every animal or even wants to, it is NOT for everyone. Just like not all breeds of dogs are for everyone. Its just a fact. There are people who can control a vicious dog where others simply cannot. We have bulls on our farm that NO ONE but us should ever get into a field alone with....we have "learned" how our animals worked, because we have taken that time to "carry our roosters around on our hips all day" (BTW something I dont have time for either working a large farm, but amazing what just a little time spent observing can do, and the few moments spent with an animal can do as well, I think the point made by picking up your chickens was lost in translation here somewhere in this thread.)

Roosters are NOT for everyone....so with that said, people who do NOT want to keep a rooster they are afraid of - people who feel they will get rid of one if it shows the slightest tendency toward aggression need to not read this thread...hit the back space...hit the BYC Home tab...or look for a ROOSTER FOR SALE tab, and in fact there is a great one on here on how to butcher your chickens. But there is the need obviously for people who want to TRY to keep their roosters...if it doesnt work for them...then thats their business.

I'm sorry for ANY ONE who has gotten hurt, will get hurt. I just know some animals arent for everyone....and I hate to see a thread of any type have comments just start ugly...especially when a topic is made clear. Also if the comments are all read word for word...I think that a lot would NOT be taken out of context....which I have seen done since the wounded feelings have started.
anyway....its all gotten sidetracked....I look forward to more stories from other people trying what they are reading here!

 

[speckledhen]

Let me tell you a story here:

Had a rooster, Dutch, raised from hatch, from parents of excellent temperament. Began biting me at 8 weeks old. Did the carry around thing, he mellowed out because he was only testing boundaries, not at the hormonal stage yet. Best flock rooster you could ask for, would stand still to be picked up. He was exemplary in all respects.

When he was a year and a half old, we had to remove him at night from his girls because they were picking on his scabby wattles and comb while on the roost at night, that he received from fussing with his brother (who was rehomed). Every night, he'd stand to be picked up and taken to his separate coop for his own protection, to give his scabs time to heal. One night, same thing, but the minute I put him on the ground, he whirled around and took a vicious bite out of my hand. Then it was on. He was chastised properly, but from then on, he'd run at me when my back was turned. It was only me, not my husband, though DH was also taking him from his girls some nights.

He seemed to blame me personally for his troubles. If I picked him up, he'd bite me if I wasn't careful to watch for it. He got the full treatment, carrying around, pushing him to the ground like a hen, etc, etc, because he was the son of my late beloved rooster, Hawkeye, and was a fabulous flock leader, but nothing worked. He'd be great for ages, literally months would go by with me walking around him in the pens and coop, then one day, he'd run at me and try to intimidate me. I told DH, if he ever actually flogs me, he's out of here, one way or another. And he did one day when I was on the phone in the coop, checking eggs. He came at me and jumped but slid so only scraped my inner calf. I yelled NO! but he came around for a second try. Had my DH throw him into a separate pen and sadly, he was prepared to put a bullet in his head, but I made one effort to rehome him, since he had only been aggressive toward me, thinking maybe a new environment would help and a friend took him, with full disclosure. I gave him every chance and my friend also gave him a chance to redeem himself, but he has taken to doing the same thing to her now.

That story is not how aggression normally starts, at such a late age, and for a specific reason, but it happened. Their brains are smaller than a walnut and they can't reason like a human being can. I broke my ankle here on our rocky ground a couple years ago and still have trouble with it, so I cannot allow myself to be knocked off my feet by a rooster with a grudge, just can't. My safety comes before his life, as it should.

I spend hours daily with all my birds since we don't work outside the home. I have time, if I choose, to do whatever it takes to "fix" a bird, more than most folks do, but all the love and all the time in the world are not always enough.

 

[wilmothfarms]

Quote:
I agree with you ..maybe cattle wasnt a good reference when comparing to chickens - I was afraid it would be taken out of context...I meant that ONLY in the fact they are a fear based animal..that I'm sure you can appreciate. We, as well, cannot and will not keep a bad bull - kinda different they can kill you. Quite different than a mean rooster, and totally off subject.
I agree, someone new to poultry should be sure if they are getting a rooster they should start out with one they know to be docile...why learn the hard way??? Or risk getting hurt? You dont want to take on the most difficult task right off the bat...I do have to agree with you there. BUT some people who are new, may already be in that position, so why not let them give it a try. Like you said, I agree also, a LOT of people DONT want to waste their time working with their animals. Some do. I AM one of those who spends A LOT of time with mine....horses, cows, chickens, the kids.....(come on someone laugh this thread is getting too serious!) I love them all!

 

[hcammack]

I won't and I don't believe I ever will tolerate and aggressive rooster in my flock. I breed Faverolles which are some of the most docile birds around and I just don't think it makes sense to have an aggressive rooster running around. Also if you do this technique and keep those boys around and then hatch eggs from them what are you going to do when you have 20 mean little roosters that all need to be held? I am just saying a calm and respectful attitude from a rooster is a very important thing and I breed for that trait. Thats just my opinion and why I won't be trying to pick up and tame any roosters soon. I would also never give any of my aggressive birds to another owner I cull them immediately when they attack me more then once.

Henry

 

[sourland]

Any time we are talking about an animal that has potential to do serious permanent damage, the conversation should be serious. Especially when children are involved an "attitude adjusted" rooster whether permanently or temporarily should never be trusted!

 

[wilmothfarms]

Quote:
And....like I said I had heard horror story after horror story and I'm still praying that this doesnt happen to me.....I am sorry this happened...and like I said and you said safety first and foremost.....I've heard birds get like this when they are removed from their flock...do you think thats what happened (this is a sincere question not being a smartypants)

 

[speckledhen]

Any time we are talking about an animal that has potential to do serious permanent damage, the conversation should be serious.

Agreed. Moderators are often criticized for "allowing" misinformation to be passed around on the forum. Obviously, there are many subjects where we, the staff, are not experts, so really don't have the knowledge base to know what is true or false in regard to a particular subject. It is up to the membership to police those things and provide insight in areas they are well-versed in, to tactfully and compassionately correct fallacies in their area of expertise. In an area where serious harm can come to a child, especially, I personally need to speak up and provide a more balanced view of a subject I do know something about.

As far as what Dutch's motivation and reasoning were for suddenly becoming aggressive toward me, I can only surmise that it was his change of situation, being taken from his women nightly for a couple weeks, that started his grudge, considering that he was way more than fully mature when this started. Whatever the reason is truly not important--the result is that I ended up with a rooster I could not trust and who was a danger to me and he had to go. He's just lucky that someone else took a chance on him, even if he has no concept of that. Whatever she chooses to do with him now, I won't blame her for-it's entirely up to her how much she wants to put up with from him.

I would have been overjoyed if the techniques had worked on him because a better flock rooster you couldn't ask for, and I had a sentimental attachment to him, but it was what it was.​