My otherwise friendly rooster attacked me and is now wary of me after I hit him with a bucket

[theoldchick]

Do not trust him. He is now a mature rooster who wants to breed hens. And the moment you turn your back he will charge. This is the nature of roosters. Occasionally you will find a nice one but they are rare. Remember, until recently, chickens were raised as livestock. The temperament of the rooster did not matter as he was either there to breed hens or he was supper on the table. Now that the backyard flock is becoming popular many people are startled to discover the baby they raised is no longer a compliant bird. Never turn your back on a mature rooster. In his eyes you are no longer a friend of HIS flock. And although you are only tossing treats to the hens, he sees it as a tactic to steal his hens. Don't forget roosters bribe hens by giving them food. They call the flock when he finds food. And here you come along, calling the hens, tossing treats and his gals run to you. Thus that testosterone soaked pea-sized brain of your rooster is overcome with insane jealousy and he attacks.

 

[pipAchick]

I'm probably gonna get hateful comments on this bit of TRUTH shared.
I'm just sharing ACtUaL experience to help educate specific type of rooster is irrelevant.

My nephew is good&young. His family, they raise hundreds of chickens. It took one time of seeing his beautiful, perfect-young face scratched from forehead to chin from the dirty spur of a rooster.
If you loath an animal that much kicking it across a barn yard is within reason,if it attacks again after that kick, KILL it,or cage it forever. Your stupid if you don't.
It will never be able to be trusted once it draws that much blood.

For me, personally decided right then&there I would never allow my kids or kids visiting here (11&under) to EVER be exposed to such a hateful critter. There's a special place& responsible way to raise these birds when you happen upon them.

I don't like killing things, I have two roosters that have almost impaled themselves (probably 4times a week at least). They have never been abused or neglected. They have everything a rooster could ever want. I stick one spear on my left&one on my right. I reach for eggs or feed treats in between. When "the piranha's" rush us the spear tips ram into their chests each time. They still rush me EVERY chance they get.(I'm not poking them they do it to themselves,never fails).
I NEVER turn my back on them, you should not turn your back too. Be careful man. They try to gourge toddlers the most, I think it's a size/dominance display.
I being a reasourceful sort use these chickens to line our perimeter closes to the woods(coyotes/bear/wild dogs/mountain lion) when something attacks I'm greatful because SQUAK they will,they guard our show birds along with our 5dogs. There can be a purpose for every creature just don't dilute yourself about what's petable and what's wild.

 

[pipAchick]

Please note people roosters are sweet&huggable UNTILL that first spring when hormones rage after that 90% won't be your pet anymore,you need to recognize He's a HE now&'theoldchick' section above is REALLY good comment! I agree 100%

 

[pipAchick]

Pff just had a thought(when city's riot) they should relocate all these "special roosters" can you imagine a gangster enraged trying to rip off a cvs IF 15 roosters where comming at him!? Seriously guys imagine way more effective than mace or bean bags. Ha they'd head back home REAL fast&stay put till things calmed down after a few spurs to the body.
Lol sorry I tend to be VERY imaginative&resourceful at times.

 

[ChickenLegs13]

I'm probably gonna get hateful comments on this bit of TRUTH shared.
.

Not from me! When a mean one starts flogging my shins I take it as meaniing "Hey, I'm ready for the pot, please reach down, snatch me up and wring my neck."
For some reason the mean one just taste better.

 

[pipAchick]

Not from me! When a mean one starts flogging my shins I take it as meaniing "Hey, I'm ready for the pot, please reach down, snatch me up and wring my neck." For some reason the mean one just taste better.

Well thanks (i've always been a Renee zelwigger,cold mountain movie fan) lol if you haven't seen it u need to at least watch the scene with the mean rooster! Thanks for not making me feel like the bad guy AGAIN being a responsible animal caretaker isint always easy . Off to make Avon drops&get fresh cheese from the farm. Bbl

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You have gotten plenty good advice. For now I would make sure he keeps his distance, a minimum of 5 feet, 10 or more is better at this point. If he shows an inclination to attack again I recommend having something like a long handled fishing net handy to defend yourself and catch him. He may be trying dominating you out or he may be serious. The first you can often change their minds, the second becomes a war which he may never stop.

I disagree with the statement all mature roosters being dangerous. When raised correctly and interacted in a correct manner, mature roosters know better. I move freely among mine, they move out of the way, but aren't terrified of me. If they mate in my presence they get reminded by me of their place by being knocked off the hen, otherwise they are all respectful and I don't even think about them too much. It's those young roosters that need minding.

 

[throwaway123]

Thank you for everyone's advice! I'm saddened about the change but I will be carrying a broom with me and watching at all times when he goes free range.

 

[Folly's place]

My roosters are polite and delightful to have in the flock, and never threaten me or visitors. It comes of raising the right cockrels and culling the idiots! I have had a few very bad actors, and life is way too short to put up with nasty behavior. I'm raising some cockrels right now, and I watch them to see who might stay, and who might not. So far, at ten weeks of age, they are all fine. We'll see in a few months, and then again next spring, who the good guys are. Mary