My rooster!!!

[amyfitz100]

I have NEVER kicked an animal in my LIFE, until today. I leg my chickens out of the tractor -- only the rooster came out -- and I squatted down and was talking to the chickens. i started picking clover and he plucked it from my hand (normal) and he pecked at the buttons on the back of my pants (kind of funny) and then a few minutes later he walked back to me and flew right in my face! I knocked him out of the way, stood up, and yelled at him, but he did manage to scratch the side of my face, I think just with feathers. It's not bleeding or anything, just burns. I know he's an animal and I never really let down my guard with him, but he has never shown any aggression towards me at all. Did I threaten his roosterhood by talking to the hens? I do it everyday. After my son came out (and I told him to stay away) the rooster started to fly at my again and I that time I kicked him. I assume he's going to keep doing this now???

 

[Chicks Galore3]

Yes, he will. I've had the heart breaking experience (just recently, actually.) Of giving a rooster away. He was a gorgeous buff orpington, and even though he was mean to people, I kept him, because I get attached to any animal I see. (When I was younger I used to save lady bugs from drowning. Yeah.) But eventually he started threatening people more and more and my little brother was afraid to play outside, and he was over-breeding the hens. I finally gave in and gave Mr. Darcy (my rooster) away to some friends who won't hesitate to butcher him if need be. I thought I would be so sad, but really, I am relieved. No more worrying when the 3 and 2 year old are outside, when company comes over, or for the bare-backed hens! So, all that to say, cull him or give him away.

 

[subhanalah]

Press him to the ground until he calms down (aka submits) do it any time you see him. He is questioning your dominance and you need to assert yourself.

 

[amyfitz100]

I'll try holding him down, if I can. I just went to prop open the coop door and he kept running towards me again. I hoped just yelling really mean things at him would do it, haha, but clearly he needs tough love or another home. And I've always loved this rooster!

 

[subhanalah]

Bring a big stick with you, if he advances, keep the stick between you and him. No rooster is worth being maimed!
I hope you can make him submit to you, I believe he is trying to make you one of "his" hens

 

[amyfitz100]

Ewwwww... I went back out to fix the coop door and did take a stick. The hens were inside and the rooster out, and he did come towards me, which thankfully I expected this time. Thanks for the advice everybody! I'm going to try the "hold him down" therapy, otherwise he's outta here.

 

[AmericanMom]

There are a lot of folks that are way smarter than I am on this forum and I believe the majority will tell you to never befriend a rooster, never hand feed etc...it almost always leads to a bad end.. Your rooster needs to know from day 1 you are the head honcho, never get out of his way, rather, he must move aside from you. I once had a rooster that one day (it was like flicking a switch) went from my favorite to my biggest fear.. I was not experienced and at first the family all thought it was funny, until one day that is that he missed my face by mere millimeters.. He ended up in the stew pot and it was several years before I would even attempt it again... I am now the proud owner of three roosters...well ok, two are going to freezer camp this weekend but not because of aggression but because we are attempting a more dual purpose breed..
I don't hold out a lot of hope that he will be better or that he can be trained, but good luck.. I have two Grandsons and another Grandbaby on the way, our GK are 3 and 5 and we have already started teaching them how to walk and how to act around the animals. It would tear me up if one of my animals attacked them.