My rooster bit me?

[Malibu99]

long story short, I was petting one of my hens. Next thing I know, my rooster comes charging at me and actually bit my hand. It did break the skin and I have 2 marks (one 1/4 inch and one more like 1/2 inch. No stitches.) He has been being really cocky lately (no pun intended), but has never actually tried to bite me before. He is a very good rooster to his hens except he has his favorites and has taken all the feathers off their backs. He is very protective and watchful as well.

Now I'm stuck. Do I carry a stick with me and hope for the best? Or do I get rid of him? There are no small children around or anything, only on the few occasions where I invite them over. I keep him locked up then anyways. I don't want to make a quick decision and then regret it. Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I can't choose for you but I don't pet my hens and when I'm around roosters, I move slowly and bring treats. I don't get attacked. They attack predators and other roosters. Predators move fast and other roosters don't normally bring treats.
He probably sees you as another rooster giving attention to the hens.
If you want to pet your birds then either wait till there is no rooster around or get rid of the rooster.

 

[Malibu99]

That makes sense. I guess I'll just have to settle for bringing them treats. It's sad, mine love to be petted. Thanks!

 

[Donna Peterson]

Hi I pet my hens all the time and they love it, I do have one little roo that thinks I should do what he says and he used to attack me all the time, he's a bantam sneaky little bugger too. So I have a small squirt bottle with water and if I see him starting for me I squirt him. Didn't take long and now all I have to do is reach for the bottle and he turns and walks away. I haven't had a problem since. I also use it when my roo's fight through the wire, Works every time.
They are not stupid and they don't like to be squirted. Hope this helps.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

That makes sense. I guess I'll just have to settle for bringing them treats. It's sad, mine love to be petted. Thanks!

It might be time to think through a few things:
1 - why do you have your birds? Do you have them for production or for pets?
2 - why do yo have a rooster? Are you seeking fertile eggs for hatching?
3 - do you enjoy being able to pet your hens? Is it more enjoyable to you than having the rooster?

 

[aart]

Quote: Curious too...how old are your birds?
Did they all grow up together/are they the same age?

 

[Kev]

It might be time to think through a few things:
1 - why do you have your birds? Do you have them for production or for pets?
2 - why do yo have a rooster? Are you seeking fertile eggs for hatching?
3 - do you enjoy being able to pet your hens? Is it more enjoyable to you than having the rooster?

One of the BEST answers on aggressive roos I've seen on here. Short, simple and to the point.

You will get thousands of different responses on how to handle roo aggression but none of them matter at all if you get more enjoyment out of petting the hens because the answer would be very simple- get rid of him. Absolutely nothing wrong with going this route- anyone who tries to tell you otherwise is just being a jerk, plain and simple.

As for roo-reforment, the ugly truth is, once the roo gets that bad and does not stop after three treatments(ANY method, but again you will get thousand 'sworn tried and true' recipes) he will never totally stop for rest of his life... if you read between the lines, most of the cases become 'controlled' but not truly 'cured'.

 

[Cubbyt]

My roo started and unfortunately I had to end it I tried for over a week and he got so bad he got up on a table when he heard me coming and got my face head and back. I thought I would take something in with me but he just kept getting worse. I didn't think about it being about the hens I too pet them and talk to them and him until he got mean. I wanted chick's but I don't want potential aggressive chicks.

 

[Sustained]

The ugly truth as kev put it is true. At least in my very limited experience. I adore my roo but he's become an onery little cuss since he started crowing. He's gotten better with me consistently putting him in his place but I can't let anyone else in the pen with him. And heaven forbid I should want to hold a hen. So I put him in a solitary pen when I want to spend time with the girls. It's working for now but if I can find him a good home with someone who just wants a pretty roo but doesn't hold their chickens I will be rehoming him. I plan to keep a cockerel or two out of my next few hatches in hopes of a gentle boy.

 

[Cabin Katie]

It could have to do with the age, but it will probably get more aggressive as he gets older. It might have a lot to do with the pecking order (of course) maybe when you give them snacks or treats he starts on his "gotta let the hens know about this" mode so he gets agressive? Can't be entirely sure yet. How many hens to roo ratio? How old?

I've never had an agressive roo, all of mine melt like butter so I'm always curious about these things and would like to find ways to help correct it

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