Keeping roo under control

[KaOsFarm]

I have a beautiful Lemon Coco Orpington roo that has been super sweet until yesterday. He started mating the hens for the first time that I have seen yesterday and is really into it. My biggest concern is about how big he is. He is at least 10 pounds and is the size of half my torso. The recommendation of catching him and carrying him is good but he's not a lightweight. He has always been a sweet heart so I never thought to establish dominance. Yesterday when I went to feed he ran and bit my calf. I ignored it but he ran at me a second time and I didn't know what else to do so I kicked him in the face. (I feel sooooo bad). We have been at a stand off ever since but he hasn't pulled anything besides a starting contest since. I have not had an issue since but his entire attitude has changed, especially towards the hens. How do I prevent it from happening again.

 

[sylviethecochin]

I'll regurgitate some of the stuff I've picked up on here (my roosters are raised in a flock and bred for gentility. I haven't had problems. I just jinxed myself.)

Kicking is satisfying and a good self-defense move, but you're teaching him to see you as a threat.

If he's glaring at you, walk towards him and assert dominance. Teach him to walk away from you.

Friendly males are a problem. You want them to be--well, not frightened, but wary. (this one I know from personal experience. I've always hated my father's friendly bulls. You can't trust those guys.)

Water pistols are a great invention.

 

[Folly's place]

x2! Beware 'friendly'; the adolescent may just be sizing you up!
Protect yourself; wear jeans and shoes or boots out there, and carry a stick or something to extend the reach of your arms.
Beekissed has a very good article here about managing cockerels and cockbirds, so read it ASAP. In general, always walk 'through' him, never around. Make him move away from you at all times, in fact, hustle him along firmly. Walk, don't run at him, or yell. You are the giant who brings food, and he's a chicken.
Don't hand feed him or offer treats, it makes you look cheap. He should be concerned about the pullets and guarding them from predators, not you.
He's already acted badly, and has no respect for you. This is a big problem!!!
If you convince him that you aren't to be bothered, he is still likely to challenge every other human he meets, and is a real danger, especially to children.
I'm in the 'three strikes and you're out' camp here. If a couple of training sessions aren't successful in readjusting his attitude, he should be invited to dinner.
Good luck with him!
Mary