My Sweet Rooster is turning into a nut - help!

[LaurieA]

My buff orprington "hen" was actually a rooster. He was very sweet and friendly, loved his personality so I figured ok I'll give this a try.

Now at 5 months he is turning into a lunatic. One minute he is eating out of my hand and the next he is trying to kill me. He continues to drop his wing and come at me.

Is there anything I can do or should I get rid of him.

Thanks ... I appreciate any feedback.

 

[shmccarthy]

If he drops his wing and does the "wing dance" that means he is trying to dominate you. A recessive hen or rooster will turn their back and walk away. If he does this, stand your ground and come at him. What I do is I walk at him, really fast and even stomp my feet. If he turns his back and runs, you win. If he doesn't, and is aggressive or doesn't back down, grab him and hold him down on the ground. Put your hand on his back and make sure his head is held down too. This does not hurt him, it embarrasses him. Hold him here until he is calm, usually 30 seconds works for me.
If you watch a flock, that has multiple roosters, you can see what a dominant rooster does. Your rooster views you as subordinate and will attack or try to become dominant if you don't show him that you're the boss. I do not handle or pet any of my roosters. None show the slightest but of aggression towards me. It's okay to allow them to eat out of your hand but they should back up a bit if you stand up or walk at them. If the rooster runs from you, and backs away when you approach him, he views you as dominant. Don't be afraid to chase him around flapping your arms and squawking either. You may look ridiculous for a bit, but it usually works. you want the rooster to respect you, not fear you though.

 

[MelissaTXRn]

Roosters can be turds.

 

[LaurieA]

Whenever he drops his wing I poke him and go towards him until he runs away. Today I actually kicked him - not hard - but enough to make him jump back. Will he eventually give up or will he continue to test me every day. It started as once a day and now its every time I go into their yard.

It is difficult for me to catch him to put him to the ground.

 

[Mrs. K]

it will be ongoing battle, I would cull him. You don't want chicks out of him.

 

[donrae]

You didn't want a rooster in the first place, so I'd get rid of him.

If you want to keep him, it may indeed be an ongoing battle. Every single time you go near him, make him move away from you. He should not still be having the opportunity to drop a wing at you, you shouldn't let him get that close. You need to be way more proactive and take control of the situation from the moment you enter his space. Don't wait for him to make that first move, another rooster wouldn't. When you enter his space, push him away. Chase him a little. Won't hurt him a bit. Every time you're around him. Yep, it's a lot of work and you need to give up the idea of this bird ever being your pet. That's why it's just best to get rid of him.

 

[SunnySkies]

I don't fight with my roosters...I had three Swedish Flower Hen roosters become highly aggressive (yet the mixed breed roosters they grew up are docile and still alive...) and I tried the whole dominance thing with them, chasing, etc. It just didn't work.

So, with my new round of young roosters I am planning to keep for breeding, I'm trying something different. When they start looking like they want to attempt to dominate me, I surprise them. I carry a cup of water out with me, or I keep a squirt gun, and when a roo starts thinking about acting aggressive, he gets a surprise. He doesn't associate me with a stick or a fight that way, but he associates getting aggressive with a cup of water in his face, for instance. My roos give me a wide berth now.

The mean ones I had started like yours....and one almost scratched my two year old son's eye out one day when the rooster attacked him for no reason...kid was walking across the driveway about 50 feet away from the rooster, and that bird ran him down and jumped him before hubby and I could get there. I killed him that night. I don't know if the surprise treatment would work on one with an established fight pattern.

 

[LaurieA]

I made the sad decision to get rid of Percy today : (

He was my favorite before his hormones kicked in so this is very difficult.

He is now at a larger farm that free-ranges and is more experienced with dealing with roosters.

I know it was the best thing to do before he injured me or others but its still very sad : (

Can't believe I am crying over my rooster.

 

[donrae]

Sounds like he'll be much happier! I know it's hard to get rid of a pet, but it sure sounds like it's the best for all concerned. Glad you found him a good home.