Mister Rooster In Trouble!

[thudson]

I came home tonight and I am in the dog house. My new Easter Egger rooster attacked my wife. She said he just kept coming. Now why in the world did he do that. He is only about 10 months old and has not showed any temperament like that.( He don't even have spurs yet) All I can think of is the rooster in the adjacent coop upset him. The roosters been sizing each other up through the fence between them. Do I need to do anything? Of course I don't want my wife getting attacked. So any ideas what is going on?

 

[duluthralphie]

I am guessing the rooster wanted to be invited into the oven..,

Roosters do that stuff some times, he may never do it to you. But he has her number.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Daylight is increasing and so are hormones. I would get rid of him or keep him away from your wife. Most attempts to teach a rooster don't work out unfortunately.

 

[azygous]

It's more complicated than you might think. Your young cockerel has suddenly begun to see his world and the people in it differently and it confuses him and makes him nervous. Both his age and the approach of spring have triggered his hormones, and this has caused a personality change.

If that doesn't seem complicated enough, your wife's behavior is also a factor in this cockerel's behavior. Something about the way she carries herself, probably with hesitancy and not much self confidence when she's near this cockerel, or sudden, jerky moves when she's in close proximity to him can set him off and cause mistrust on his part.

Also, if you have ever been around a pregnant woman, you will understand how hormones can cause unusual reactions to stimuli all on their own. It could be that she wore a new or different pair of shoes or pants or a hat that caused him to feel he was in peril and needed to defend himself. Yes, a pair of shoes will do it.

I told you it was complicated. That's why most people say the hell with it and just eat him.

 

[alexa009]

I have had it happen to my chickens where one day it will be super sweet then the next day aggressive and attacking. He is probably showing his dominance now and wants her to know he is the boss. I don't know if you want to keep him or not but I am sure he is not going to change.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Oh boy, think you need to go stop at the Florist & pick up a box of chocolates

 

[azygous]

Some cockerels will calm down after the hormones settle down after around a year old. I'm dealing with a cockerel right now that isn't human aggressive, but he's plenty annoying with the hens. Let's just say his moves are anything but smooth.

His dad does a pretty fair job of disciplining him, and it's lots of fun to watch the big guy get after the little guy, but I still need to slap him in confinement toward the end of the day to give everyone a break from his intensity. I am counting down to that point when he reaches a year old and begins to mellow out.

 

[Folly's place]

I think she needs that box of chocolates, or maybe some Bailey's. this cockerel needs to be invited to dinner. There are many cockerels that never have a bad thought where humans are concerned, and those are the keepers. This guy will be difficult and never safe.
Mary

 

[thudson]

Well I have made this decision. With all the replies the best option for now is keep him but limit the time he and my wife have contact. I built another sliding door on coop so my wife can close the rooster in one side of the two adjacent coops and runs. That way there is very little chance he can get to her. I agree with the fact that it is raging hormones in him causing this behaviour. I believe and agree it will pass as he gets older. Main point is to keep my wife safe.

 

[Folly's place]

Was she in between the two roosters at the time? Not that it's a whole lot better, but more understandable.
Mary