My rooster hates me :-(

[VeeKay]

Chicken Siberia, Chicken Jail, a tiki torch aka “RooRoo stick” or a protective dog.

Let me explain - Chicken Siberia is when you carry them a really long distance away and make them walk back. By the time they are done walking back from Siberia, they are exhausted and all out of piss and vinegar.

Chicken jail - exactly what it sounds like. Behind pen bars for a day or two.

Tiki Torch - the stick (without the fuel can, unlit of course) with the basket end pointing out. Any stick or strong barrier that you can place between you and the angry Rooroo will work. I’m not saying to beat them with it but a warning poke usually works.

Protective dog - by your side when you are out working with the chickens, especially a big one. Most Roos will “never mind” away because attacking you isn’t worth the risk of fighting a predator that big.


Good luck!

 

[Big-momma]

Happy New Year everyone!

I am at my wits end with my rooster. He has hurt me badly on many occasions, and will violently attack me every chance he gets. He will literally wait outside my car and attack me as soon as I get out. He will chase me to the door and attack me from behind. The other day, when my husband was holding him, he was trying to hand him to me so I could hold him and try to get him to understand that I'm not the bad guy, he bit me twice while I was trying to get him! That he has never done before, holding him was the only way I could get him to not attack, but honestly I can see the look in his eyes, he really hates me! He is much friendlier with my husband, and while aggressive with the others who live at my house, he is the most aggressive with me. The chicken, bless her soul, tries to stop him when he attacks me. I have heard that neutering or estrogen treatment could calm him. Is there any way I can use hormones to reduce his testosterone? I don't want to get rid of him, but if he isn't calm by the summer, I will have to, as I don't want to risk my grandchildren or others playing in my yard of getting pecked to death. He is very nice to my husband, although he does bite him on occasion, but not the full blown feather raising pterodactyl attacks that he does to me! I could never bring myself to cull him, and I'm not sure if there is a farm or rescue that will accept an aggressive rooster. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I have the same issues with my rooster, he hits me with his feet and spurs, very strong and hurts

 

[Sinadrea]

I have the same issues with my rooster, he hits me with his feet and spurs, very strong and hurts

I had a mean rooster too. I got lucky and someone took him and he behaved better for her.
I have 2 of his sons now and they have never attacked me. I dont know where I went wrong with him.

 

[DobieLover]

I have the same issues with my rooster, he hits me with his feet and spurs, very strong and hurts

How old is this bird?
How long have you had him?
How old are the hens/pullets in your flock?
How much space do they have?
All of these things play a huge role in the behavior of a rooster/cockerel.

I have had chickens for over 7 years now. I have had dozens of boys come and go through my flock. The only bird out of all of those boys that ever gave me trouble was a cockerel from the very original flock that I raised. I ultimately rehabilitated that bird and kept him as my flock leader because he otherwise had outstanding character traits for a flock leader. But roosters are hardwired to protect their mates. Human beings, being mammals and predators, interacting within his flock in smaller quarters and constantly getting close to his girls, is often enough of a trigger for human aggressive behavior. How you move and interact with the females plays a large role in his behavioral development along with his personality.

 

[Big-momma]

How old is this bird?
How long have you had him?
How old are the hens/pullets in your flock?
How much space do they have?
All of these things play a huge role in the behavior of a rooster/cockerel.

I have had chickens for over 7 years now. I have had dozens of boys come and go through my flock. The only bird out of all of those boys that ever gave me trouble was a cockerel from the very original flock that I raised. I ultimately rehabilitated that bird and kept him as my flock leader because he otherwise had outstanding character traits for a flock leader. But roosters are hardwired to protect their mates. Human beings, being mammals and predators, interacting within his flock in smaller quarters and constantly getting close to his girls, is often enough of a trigger for human aggressive behavior. How you move and interact with the females plays a large role in his behavioral development along with his personality.

He is 7 months old, has 10 hens, 2 ducks I understand about him, he’s doing a really good job with the hens, he will even eat out of my hand, white leghorn

 

[Big-momma]

I had a mean rooster too. I got lucky and someone took him and he behaved better for her.
I have 2 of his sons now and they have never attacked me. I dont know where I went wrong with him.

Hormones

 

[DobieLover]

10 hens

How old?

He is 7 months old

He is just a cockerel. Where are you located in the world, in general?

You didn't answer the question about space or when/how you acquired him.

One other very important question I neglected to ask: how long have you kept chickens?

 

[Big-momma]

How old?

He is just a cockerel. Where are you located in the world, in general?

You didn't answer the question about space or when/how you acquired him.

One other very important question I neglected to ask: how long have you kept chickens?

I am in Maine mountains, the coop is five feet wide and twenty five feet long, the have an outdoor enclosure but hate the snow, I. Ordered chicks from the farmers union all supposed females but got two males, about three months ago I found one rooster dead, he had no trauma, no blood or feathers missing, so I have this one guy, I am not getting any good advice just hit him with a board and stuff like that, I have no intention of hurting him and I have no experience with chickens

 

[Big-momma]

I am in Maine mountains, the coop is five feet wide and twenty five feet long, the have an outdoor enclosure but hate the snow, I. Ordered chicks from the farmers union all supposed females but got two males, about three months ago I found one rooster dead, he had no trauma, no blood or feathers missing, so I have this one guy, I am not getting any good advice just hit him with a board and stuff like that, I have no intention of hurting him and I have no experience with chickens. He seems full grown to me, I try to respect his boundaries and hens

 

[Cinnamon Roll]

I am in Maine mountains, the coop is five feet wide and twenty five feet long, the have an outdoor enclosure but hate the snow, I. Ordered chicks from the farmers union all supposed females but got two males, about three months ago I found one rooster dead, he had no trauma, no blood or feathers missing, so I have this one guy, I am not getting any good advice just hit him with a board and stuff like that, I have no intention of hurting him and I have no experience with chickens

His brain is now wired to see you as a threat and that’s not going to change. You probably wouldn’t put up with a dog that attacks people, there’s no reason to put up with a rooster that does either. If you can’t kill him yourself, you can take him to a vet and have him euthanized like people do with vicious dogs. A humane death is a blessing that you can give him.

For your next rooster, if you want one, have a broody hen raise him and you will see what a difference it can make.