I just saw this thread and I feel for you! I always keep something close at hand in case of snakes, etc....I keep a walking stick outside the coop and a pitchfork, rake, whatever. Good thing as a year ago or more my fav main roo attacked me in the coop. I ran for the walking stick and swung in self-defense. He keeled over. I freaked out thinking I had killed my fav roo! he came to and to this day is very respectful towards me. Same thing happened with my Tom turkey. He had been threatening both my dh and myself. Dh told me to be careful around him in case....... our coop door is at the back of the forty foot long garage. I went inside the garage this past spring and heard him running behind me, I was so scared..I ran and grabbed a plastic pole lying in there turned and swung. Amazingly, I hit him in the head and knocked him out. I thought I had killed him but no, he was just knocked out and had a cut on his head. He is very respectful now. We won't have a mean animal on the place. I think it was just their hormones kicking in to protect the flock...well the roo anyway, I don't know what got into the Tom turkey but all is well now.
We take extra time and effort to keep our flock safe and healthy and love them but you have to be realistic. Break them from attacking and don't pass a bird on to someone who might get hurt.