my rooster ATTACKED me!!!!!!

[chookchik]

My otherwise docile rooster attacked me!!!! I was putting the hens back in the coop and all of a sudden I feel a sudden childlike tug on my pant leg, I look down in surprise and there is my tiny cochin/silkie bantam rooster attacking my ankle! Between bursts of giggles I pushed him aside and finished putting the hens in the coop and HE DID IT AGAIN! Saucy little blighter.

Why the sudden change in behavior? He never bothered with me putting the hens in before but for some reason today he went at my ankle. If he were a bigger rooster he would have hurt me.

Also do the bantam roosters have spurs?

Thanks!
Chookchik

 

[redsoxs]

Not sure why the sudden change - but he needs a correction. Maybe a soft boot to let him know he's not the pack leader.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

Could be his age, could be he didn't like your pants! My son has a jacket that sends our silkie roo running. They are amazingly aware of certain differences. I do agree you need to show him who is boss. We usually pick up and hold a roo if he is acting up. I have also kicked them away unitl they give up (really more of knocking them down from their jump at me). I have also heard that pushing their head in the dirt is effective for some. My one roo that tends to attack my feet is a Houdan with a crest and I believe he often does it because he is startled and doesn't see well with his "hair" in his eyes. At least I give him the benefit of the doubt because he hasn't hurt anyone and is most often very sweet (if a little neurotic). He is also a teenager so I am hopeing he will outgrow the stage but if he becomes more agressive he will find a new home.

And yes, banties have spurs.

 

[azygous]

How old is he? He must still be quite young if you don't know if he has spurs. Usually spurs don't grow into anything noticeable until they're over a year old.

My guess is that your docile little boy is coming into his hormones and he's suddenly taking his "job" seriously. Contrary to what others may think is the "right" way to deal with rooster aggression, I wouldn't just haul off and boot him.

A better way to handle him would be to slow down when you're handling the hens. Move slowly and gently so he won't have reason the think you mean the hens harm. When a rooster suddenly is aggressive like that, it usually means he thinks he can't trust you. Keep this in mind, and adjust your behavior when he's nearby.

To take it a step further, you can establish both dominance and trust by handling him, especially when he's being aggressive. Slowly, gently, reach down and pick him up, facing backward, with his head tucked under your arm pit, hold him snugly against your body like a football. Carry him around like that for awhile. Try to do this whenever he shows any aggression. (Having his head tucked away will calm him down, and if he's highly charged, dipping his head at a slight downward angle will calm him further.)

It's a matter of training and establishing your dominance, but in a way that he will come to trust you, not fear you. While some here swear that fear and a little rough treatment is the best way to keep a roo in line, I've found that gentleness and trust work far, far better.

 

[chookchik]

I must have startled him. I picked up two hens a the same time and usually he is quite far away when I do this. So when I felt the tug on my pants (still funny) I instinctively shook him off my leg, then I picked him up and put him in the coop.

He is a teenager not a year old yet but he has feathers on his legs so I can't tell if he has spurs yet or even what I'd be looking for.

I know what I'll do different next time. I know it was just and interspecies misunderstanding. Also I was wearing sky blue lounge pants (that I NEVER wear - because they're sky blue valoor - it was laundry day) which may have angered him - which is totally understandable.

It was really funny, he was fighting with all his might and it was like being attacked by a tea cup yorkie.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

It can be funny when they are so small but if they are intent, they can do damage. Our silkie roo has finally out ranked our Houdan roo by sheer determination and grit. He was relentless with his challenges to the Houdan and now the Houdan runs from him. It is funny in a way but on the other hand it must be embarrassing to be bested by someone half your size.

 

[theoldchick]

You were messing with his girls. He don't like you handling his girls. You are now considered the competition. Unless he is trained he will continue to attack. Next time, put him up first then get the girls.

 

[Chambertin]

It's a matter of training and establishing your dominance, but in a way that he will come to trust you, not fear you. While some here swear that fear and a little rough treatment is the best way to keep a roo in line, I've found that gentleness and trust work far, far better.

Great advice, the consistant reminders and inward aggression work so much better than blatent violence.
I always advise this also, but encourage people to hold their roos upside down by their feet if the football technique doesnt work, or if they get overly violent.

Remember you're in charge and the rooster needs to learn that, its natural for them to sacrifice everything to save their girls. Good training in teenage years will establish a bond where they will rely on, respect and enjoy being around you instead of outright fearing you.
Train em good and enjoy the benifits for a long time.

Good advice azygous

 

[chookchik]

are there any links or advice anyone can recommend on training?

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

I don't believe that an aggressive rooster can be trained. Aggression is an inherited trait, and I don't believe an aggressive roo should not be allowed to breed, either.

You need to treat the rooster like a rooster, not like a person to be reasoned with. Roosters don't understand "treat gently" any more than an attacking dog does. Yes, you can make friends with an attacking dog, but that dog will never be "safe" and neither will your rooster.

If you really want to keep this rooster, you can try acting like the bigger rooster. If you're attacked, boot him, squawk, and chase that rooster around the yard while you squawk. Catch him and pin him to the ground. Pick him up and carry him upside down often and show him that YOU are the flock boss. The problem with this method is that a junior rooster is always angling to be the boss rooster, so that rooster might come back at you a day, a week, a month, or a year later, or never. You'll never know.

Roosters are dangerous proportional to their size, but they are dangerous for the same reasons as a bull or a stallion, and unpredictable in the same way, too. You must treat them with the respect they deserve as flock master and be wary of them, while at the same time maintaining your top spot in the flock. And certainly never let any children anywhere near the animal.

I'm not advocating abuse on a rooster just to abuse. I've only ever booted my head rooster ONCE, when he was young and feisty and thought maybe he's see what I was made of. And he didn't flog me or peck me, he just came up behind me with his neck feathers fluffed out and his head low. I let him have it, and must have looked like an idiot doing it--chasing him around the pasture squawking and hollering at him. He's never challenged me since and is a very nice flock leader. I do remind him that he's mine by picking him up occasionally, turning him upside down, messing with his feathers, etc and not letting him go until he's stopped fighting me. I've never had to do anything to my subordinate roos, since they've never tried anything.

I say that best thing to do with attacking roosters is chicken noodle soup. Roosters are easy to come by, and there are many looking for homes every day. Most are free, even pure bred ones.