Need Advisement on Rooster Aggression

[Bigfish502]

I have a mutt rooster that has been hand reared and hand fed his whole life (coming up on 1 year old). For the longest time I thought he was a very tame rooster until I finally got wind that in recent months he has tried to chase and peck at people he isn't familiar with when I'm not around. His Spurs haven't grown in fully thank goodness but I am in a difficult position as I don't want to have to keep him locked up after he's had a taste for free ranging or worse have to get rid of him but I can't have him attacking strangers when I'm not there (doesn't help that they all go running and screaming when he does attack). Part of me wants to believe he can change as I'm still able to kneel down within striking range and feed him and his hen's treats out of the palm of my hand with no problems. The only problem he seems to have is with people he doesn't know. What should I do (aside from rehoming or having chicken pot pie)?

 

[Friendly_Lurker]

Let him charge you. When he jumps up to attack, kick him.

 

[Friendly_Lurker]

And that might not be a bad thing. Think of him as a guard rooster, and introduce him to your friends.

 

[aart]

I have a mutt rooster that has been hand reared and hand fed his whole life

That could possibly be part of the problem, he's not 'afraid' of humans.
But water under the bridge, and sounds like he's fine with you and people he knows?

doesn't help that they all go running and screaming when he does attack

No, it doesn't.
IMO, cock/erel and human interactions have more to do with the humans behaviors than the birds...and there's no way to 'train' strangers how to behave around an aggressive bird.

Do you get a lot of strangers wandering around your yard?

 

[Bigfish502]

That could possibly be part of the problem, he's not 'afraid' of humans.
But water under the bridge, and sounds like he's fine with you and people he knows?



No, it doesn't.
IMO, cock/erel and human interactions have more to do with the humans behaviors than the birds...and there's no way to 'train' strangers how to behave around an aggressive bird.

Do you get a lot of strangers wandering around your yard?

I should provide some context. I am an apprentice in an Agriculture training program and the chicken flock is not at my home but at another property that hosts the program. As such a lot of "strangers" come and go and the people who live on the property seldom interact with the chickens (though one resident occasionally fed the chickens treats until the rooster started chasing her). The Rooster was brought up by myself and the other apprentices and the instructor. Ironically only the people actively involved in his upbringing are spared from his wrath.

I've a lot of research but have come to no did conclusion as to what I should do because nobody seems to agree with each on what should be done. Some say back away others say stand your ground. Some say give him a kick others day don't kick. Frankly I'm at a loss at what I should do.

 

[NatJ]

I don't want to have to keep him locked up after he's had a taste for free ranging or worse have to get rid of him but I can't have him attacking strangers when I'm not there

What should I do (aside from rehoming or having chicken pot pie)?

...the chicken flock is not at my home but at another property that hosts the program. As such a lot of "strangers" come and go and the people who live on the property seldom interact with the chickens...

Unfortunately, I think you will just have to be sure the rooster stays away from all strangers. That could mean penning him up, rehoming him, or that pot pie you mentioned.

 

[Acre4Me]

@Bigfish502, I ageee with @NatJ. In your situation, you need to separate or remove that rooster. Keep him penned away from visitors. If you want chicks, you can allow visits between him and the chosen hens and they retain the sperm for a couple of weeks or more, so the eggs will be fertile for awhile after mating. Some roosters are more aggressive than others, but in this scenario, you have a bigger risk with many people coming and going. Not to mention the rooster is providing negative experiences to a group of people, rather than positive.

 

[Bigfish502]

@Bigfish502, I ageee with @NatJ. In your situation, you need to separate or remove that rooster. Keep him penned away from visitors. If you want chicks, you can allow visits between him and the chosen hens and they retain the sperm for a couple of weeks or more, so the eggs will be fertile for awhile after mating. Some roosters are more aggressive than others, but in this scenario, you have a bigger risk with many people coming and going. Not to mention the rooster is providing negative experiences to a group of people, rather than positive.

So how would you suggest going about containing him? We tried locking him up in the coop for "time out" after he chased after one of the residents and he spent the whole time frantically pacing back and forth calling out for his hens (hens could really care less unless they wanted into the coop to lay an egg). Gave him a treat to try to get him to calm down but instead he dropped it and started clucking for his hens to come eat. Even though he's mean to some people he's very nice and responsible towards his hens. Is there a way to keep him more at ease with his confinement that doesn't involve locking the hens in with him all the time (wouldn't be fair to them). I've heard of rooster tethers used by gamefowl breeders. Or maybe put him in his own enclosure mostly in sight of the hens?

 

[Acre4Me]

So how would you suggest going about containing him? We tried locking him up in the coop for "time out" after he chased after one of the residents and he spent the whole time frantically pacing back and forth calling out for his hens (hens could really care less unless they wanted into the coop to lay an egg). Gave him a treat to try to get him to calm down but instead he dropped it and started clucking for his hens to come eat. Even though he's mean to some people he's very nice and responsible towards his hens. Is there a way to keep him more at ease with his confinement that doesn't involve locking the hens in with him all the time (wouldn't be fair to them). I've heard of rooster tethers used by gamefowl breeders. Or maybe put him in his own enclosure mostly in sight of the hens?

If you want to keep him, his own enclosure might be best. You could always rotate 1-2 hens in with him for the day so he’s not completely alone...as long as there are some visual interruptions in there for thehens to get away from his attentions if needed. Yes, being in sight of the hens would be good. He was not used to being alone in the coop and away from the hens, so he paced, etc. however, he can get used to the new normal as well.

 

[Bigfish502]

@aart are you saying that roosters should be brought up to fear humans? I'm asking because a lot of people have said that hand rearing and giving treats is suppose to increase your chances of getting a manageable rooster.