Is this "bad" rooster behavior?

[buckabucka]

Our first rooster began attacking people and he is now in the freezer.

We raised a new rooster for the flock. So far, we really like him. He keeps a respectful distance and has never acted in a threatening manner.

My question really is about how he treats the hens. Only the hens that were raised with him will submit to him, so the rest of the flock he just chases down, while the hen runs around frantically trying to get away. Eventually, he succeeds in dragging them down or pinning them in a corner. Is this behavior normal for a rooster trying to establish himself in a previously existing flock, or is he not an ideal rooster? We introduced this rooster last October and he is still young (he'll be a year old in 2 months).
Thanks for any input.

 

[stcroixusvi]

I can only tell you about our rooster experience - that said, we had a rooster that was picked on by the hens and other roosters. We pulled him out to recover. While he recovered, we built him his own coop. Meanwhile, he was the sweetest guy - very tame, jumped on our arms, and followed us around. He was by himself with just us for company, and kept in two dog crates - one outdoor, and one in the garage, which, between the two, he willingly commuted.

When his coop was finally finished, we put him in there with two special needs hens. Within 2 weeks, he puffed himself up every time we entered the coop. This same mild mannered tame rooster became so protective, he no longer saw us as friends, but the enemy.

We have now pulled out another rooster that was hen pecked on his head (Polish rooster). He was previously aggressive, but now has resorted to being tame. He isn't yet commuting like our other guy - but yesterday I let him out and he puttered around for a while, never threatening me, and willingly went back into his cage.

 

[redhen009]

Since your rooster is young, I wouldn't worry about it. Every rooster goes through a phase where they think they own the world. They will chase people, pets, and their own flock around. It is kinda like him telling everyone that he is the alpha male.

I own two roosters both of ours had the phase. Now, they are out of it and are very nice and respectfull to me and flock.

Even though it is hard, try and put up with his odd behavior for a few weeks and it should go away. When mine were in the phase I carried a little walking stick when I went out with them because mine would spur me. So, I would gentely nudge him away so I wouldn't get hurt.

I think your little guy is just in that phase and he'll be out of it before too long.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Yes, that is normal. My rooster took quite the beating when he was integrated as a young boy to the flock. He was fine with the girls his age, but the older hens let him have it if he tried anything with them. He eventually grew and climbed his way to the top one hen at a time. He's now the man in charge and treats all the hens (and babies) fantastic - the greatest protector, he respects me as top rooster, doesn't allow fighting between the hens and those new to the flock, and is easy on the hens backs. Couldn't ask for a better rooster.

 

[ChestnutRidge]

I think your little guy is just in that phase and he'll be out of it before too long.

How old are they when they grow out of this stage?

 

[Hyline]

I have apparently 'cured' my satanic rooster - a pair of welding gloves for protection and a slap across the head and a boot in the bum. He is extremely careful of me now, and this rooster beat me up (spurring and biting) daily for months on end - finally had enough and just gave him his own back. I can still pet and hold him and stuff, but when he is free ranging he keeps well out of my way and runs off if I approach the girls. He is 3 this year. He was a really, really BAD rooster! He still does not go in with the girls because he is such a pig with them. Not man enough for my ladies lol.

 

[buckabucka]

Thank you for all the replies! It sounds like I should give him time. I will be hatching this spring and summer, so if he doesn't improve, I could always replace him. We like him a lot because he is so much better with people than our old rooster, I just want to make sure I am not torturing the hens!

 

[Farmin Momma]

Will a roo be more friendly to people if we raise him from a chick? Or do you just get what you get?

 

[beefmaster]

never trust a rooster if he starts attacking you put him down asap.because if you have kids that go in the coop he can hurt them pretty bad.we had a roo years ago that hunted me down an attacked me every chance he got.mind you i whaled the tar out of him with kicks an 2 by 4s.an he would get up an shake it off an attack again an again.till the day i told my dad to kill him.an before my dad killed him he attacked my older brother pretty good.

 

[NoZolbitty]

About 30 years ago we lived not far from Mt Orab Ohio, We had two white rock roosters, one we named Mr. Thatcher, after the family name and the other Mr. Cribbit.named after a school teacher. Mr.Cribbit was a gentle friendly rooster who would join you on the lawn furniture or try jumping in baskets full of clothes as we were taking them of the line. Mr.Thatcher, however was a hole different bird He started by chasing my youngest sister as she was carrying water for our pony,Chipper. He cornered up agaist the machine shed and if it wasn;t for the five gallon bucket she help between her and the rooster I think she would have gotten spurred.
Over the weeks he chased my other two sisters. Then one cold morning he came after me. Unfortunately,I had the odious job of taking out the chamber pot to the outhouse to be emptied. He was out in the yard and saw me. You've all heard the sound a rooster maks when he is on the warpath, I heard it and turned to see him coming after me, I swung the chamber pot and it knocked Mr. thatcher aside in a squawking flurry of wings. Luckily for both of us the lid stayed on. He ran off never to come at me again especialy after he went after my dad while we were at school. He ended up as dinner that night.