My rooster is charging

[crayon]

So, a week or so ago my girls started laying eggs. My rooster is very watchful over them- he even sits (stands) next to them as they lay. But he has started charging us- We had a visitor over the other day- and he really charged at her- didn't spar her- but just charge with his head down. At first it was like "oh, he clearly doesn't like you"..... Then he did it to my 6 year old. Today I touched a hen and he charged me. He is 20 weeks.

Is this typical? Will it get worse/better? Should he just end up as soup? We want chickens a family project but my daughter is starting to get a little weary of him and that make it NOT FUN for her!


We have 10 hens and 3 roosters- one is the second in line to this more dominate fella- and then we have a cockerel- 13 weeks old.

Thanks!

 

[annie3001]

he is acting like a some roosters do...protecting his flock. however you should not let your kids near him. i have a rooster that charges and people know better. he has yet to do it to me... however you must never turn your back to him. good luck.

 

[crayon]

Yeah- agh.... It is such a bummer he is the most beautiful rooster I have seen!!! He may end up soup and we may end up roosterless- if this is typical of roosters.

 

[M.sue]

Welcome to the club!!! He's being a Roo. There is a thread on here "Got Flogged By a Rooster Tonight". It is full of different techniques in how to handle a nasty Roo. Of course every Roo is different, every situation is different and what works with one might not work for someone else. It's worth looking into. There is a stalking method that was suggested to me from that site and so far it seems to be working. All it takes is a little of my time! Good luck!!

 

[kaybats]

Yep. Same thing here. My bigger roo was as sweet as an angel.....til the girls started to lay. I really started to become afraid of him. The thought of maybe having to send him to freezer camp was breaking my heart. Naturally, I came here to find tons of helpful advice. Things are much better lately. He has good days and bad days.

What works for me is the hose, he hates it and backs off immediately. Sometimes I carry the claw rake around while I'm out there and "stalk" him. That'll do it too.

And I agree 110%.....don't ever turn your back on him when he's like that.....I learned that one the hard way!

 

[sourland]

Unless you can educate him that you are bigger, tougher, and dominant to him his behavior will escalate. Flogging and biting will be the next step. Do not trust him anywhere near your daughter.

 

[Rkorf]

This Rooster attacks this one female chicken. More like rape. She screams
I chased it around the yard with a pole
I got him in the pin today for a he will be safe. How can we make him stop.

 

[Mrs. K]

You really can't make them stop. They can really be very dangerous to smaller children. A lot of roosters have ruined the whole chicken experience for a lot of people.

In my coop, the charging rooster would be dispatched. But really, I would go rooster less if this is your first flock, and with only flock mate girls. 3 roosters is too many IMO. The more roosters you have, the more trouble you get.

If your home is all adults, you always wear long pants and shoes to tend the chickens, and being attacked does not phase you. You can attempt the training. But if you have children, well he has given you a loud and clear warning. The odds are pretty strong that each attack will get worse and worse.

Mrs K

 

[BigBlueHen53]

IMO, and it is only an opinion: if you are new to chickens, do not have a cockerel or rooster for the first year or two. Then when you are more experienced, raise up a chick or rather let your hens raise up a male chick. They will teach him manners and respect and you may end up with a good rooster.