Is my rooster getting aggressive?

[McChooky]

My rooster usually takes off with the hens when I let them out to free range but there have been times he stuck around when he shouldn't . I raised this guy from a chick and know him inside out.Is he perfect? No. I don't baby him because he sees it as a sign of weakness.They'll all test you

 

[Mrs. K]

I think subconsciously you are picking up on rising aggression. I would not hand feed him, because I am imaging that your you crouch down to do so, and that diminishes you in his eyes and makes you an easier target. And the target could be your face.

The thing with most intact rooster - is you always need to be aware. Most inexperienced people are blindsided by an aggressive rooster. This forum has numerous posts where the darling became the nightmare in a moment. That might have been your first rooster.

But now, you are picking up on more subtle signs of aggression, but doubting yourself. You shouldn't. Be aware. IMO this one is not going to turn out either. Really I am pretty convinced that it is not anything humans do either to promote aggressions or decrease aggressions... it is in the luck of the draw of the cockerel you get.

But the BEST WAY to get a good rooster - is to NOT keep a rotten one.

Mrs K

 

[McChooky]

I sold a flock of buff Orpingtons back in 93 and the following morning my buff rooster was waiting for me when I come outside.I learned the hard way they don't like you messing with thei hens

 

[DLA]

I sold a flock of buff Orpingtons back in 93 and the following morning my buff rooster was waiting for me when I come outside.I learned the hard way they don't like you messing with thei hens

 

[chooki]

I have a rooster flock, some of the roosters like to follow me around for food and safety.

I pet and hug my head rooster occasionally, he is okay with that. There is only 1 aggressive bird in the flock, and he is at the bottom of the pecking order. He was the one that I handled the most, because he was meek and sleek when he was a chick.

When are allowed to free range, they like to stick close to me. There are no hens to fight over though.

 

[McChooky]

My rooster sometimes follows me when I'm working in the yard but he hates being alone with me. Especially if I look him in the eye

 

[Mrs. K]

If he is coming up behind you, and you turn on him, he will act all innocent is a common behavior and a strong indication that he will be attacking from behind. They tend to be opportunist. Be especially careful, if you are bent over, carrying something, or distracted with something else, they often choose those moments.

 

[McChooky]

The other rooster was a jerk.This one is laid back but he doesn't like people to pet on him or pick him up.If I grab the hens he makes a racket for a minute or two and quits. If the either guy wasn't chasing the hens and mating them he was grabbing one by the neck and trying to force them to mate.When I removed him and put him in a divided run it was cruel but I had nowhere safe to put him until the guys hens were ready who wanted him.He still has him so I guess he's working better for him than me

 

[WunnySharbit]

I wore an unbuttoned, old flannel shirt when I went out. Whenever he would get "that look," I would lift the flannel like wings, flap a few times, and make growling clucking sounds. Sometimes he wouldn't back down, and I would have to chase him a few steps. (Can only imagine what the neighbors thought! A chunky old lady, flannel "wings" raised, growling/clucking/crowing, chasing a little lilac roo around the backyard!) I would stop when his aggressive stance shifted. Then I would shake my wings back to normal and croon softly, ignoring him and returning to whatever I was doing. Most of the new flock stayed with me, and the 2 spazzy pullets who followed only him were rehomed with him. "Take this rooster and get 2 pullets free!" (Traded a dozen eggs for them back when eggs were outrageous!)