My Rooster is a PSYCHO!!! Help!!

[Little Chicken Farmers]

I have a 19 week old Buff Orph Roo. He free ranges with 5 hens. They have been hand raised,they are very tame and friendly. The last two weeks the Rooster has become SUPER aggressive. Last week he jumped up at a 6yr old and 8 yr old and scratched them on the leg. This morning we were heading out to the swing set and the chickens were about 200' away. The Rooster came charging over and attacked my 2 yr old !!! He jumped at her and she fell backworks and he was trying to jump on her again. I ran over and kicked him about 5 feet and he decided to back off! Is this normal?? He has been crowing like a mad man ALL DAY and I noticed him running after the hens trying to have his way with them..... Is it just his sex drive kicking in so he is territorial? If he keeps this up he is going to get his head chopped off!!! I cant have him attacking children. He wont do it to adults or to my 5 yr old....she will kick him....not afraid of him.

What should I do???

 

[HaileyandJoliesMom]

Eat him, or rehome him. My girls are always outside with the chickens and if Johnny the Rooster ever tried to attack them he would be BBQ that weekend.

It probably is hormones but hormones kicking in is no excuse for him to attack your babies. IMO

 

[arlee453]

Quote:
That's normal rooster behavior. Some are more aggressive than others, but your guy has hit his 'rooster-hood' and hit it hard, I'd say.

Do a search here on 'tame and rooster' or 'train and rooster' and you'll get some hits on how others have attempted to un-boss their roosters - involves a lot of showing the rooster that YOU are the boss, not him.

However, you may or may not be able to make much difference in his behavior.

In that case your options are to keep him penned up away from children or anyone else he might go after, give him away to someone who doesn't care if he's a mean son-of-a-gun, or eat/euthanize him.

 

[Little Chicken Farmers]

Quote:
That is pretty much how I am feeling. If this is going to be his temperment he's gone. Just didnt know if this was common / temporary phase? I love having a rooster....love hearing him crow....maybe I can find one that needs rehomed that is a little nicer!

 

[krackerhill]

My Buff Orph started his aggressive behavior a little later than that but it only got worse. My eight yr old would wear a motorcycle full face helmet into the coop. I fought the decision for many months...tried to use alpha techniques with him. After trying to spur me 3x on Sunday while doing some coop repair.....1x while in coop, 2x while out of coop. He crows no more. I can say I have the ability to enjoy the girls more. Tough decision but a necessary one.

 

[Toast n Jelly]

My mixed breed roosters have been nicer in general but that's just my experience I'm beginning to think that I've just been lucky and it's a throw of the dice!

 

[Little Chicken Farmers]

Quote:
Bummer....

I thought the BO's were supposed to be a very docile breed. Well mine will probably end up on the dinner plate. I wont risk him hurting my little one...(or anyone). luckily he didnt hurt her this time just scared her really bad!!

 

[SterlingAcres]

Yep, I'd eat him too. I've got little kids and if one went after them, it'd be toast right then and there.

Maybe you can find another.

 

[rooster-red]

Check out my page on roo behavior, it might help.

The link is in my sig line.

 

[dixiechick]

The safety of your children comes first....rid the roo.

i will say that my Cochin Bantam roo is an absolute sweetheart!

he follows us around everywhere and begs to be held! There are sweet roos out there that can be trusted with your babies....they don't need to be afraid....