Need Advisement on Rooster Aggression

[50-45-1]

Folks attending a public area that hosts an agricultural program should not have to deal with such a rooster. I would think no rooster in such a setting would be better. I shutter to think what this guy might be capable of doing to a child that wanders into his area unatended.
I would remove him completely from this setting. The liability is huge.
If you want chicks , get some fertile eggs. But be aware half of those hatched will be roosters.

 

[WhyDoILikeChickens]

He looks like an australorp mix. I have an australorp rooster. They are generally a friendly breed. Mine (coop) didn't like me. I was ok if I had treats but otherwise he wanted me to leave him alone. Someone here mentioned make time with people better. I started to pick him up and he always bit me to let go but I didn't. After working with him for a month or 2 he is calm when I hold him. He still tries to run so I dont grab him but he relaxes when I'm in control and even starts to purr slightly. I always give him some treats (red grapes are like drugs) where he doesn't have to fight and he knows people mean good things, and not just that he has to assert dominance for treats.
And people cannot run away from him. If they are scared they should stay away. But that's easy to say not knowing your full situation.
Good luck

 

[Shadrach]

I can't help but get the impression that these are not your chickens (?)
If this is so, then it isn't your problem.
If they are your chickens then move to your property where I would assume there are not people coming and going all day long.
It seems quite reasonable behaviour from a rooster to attack people he doesn't know.

 

[aart]

@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.

Not fear so much as respect of your space.
I've read so many stories of male birds coddled and cuddled, then attacking when sexually mature...always makes me think of the phrase 'familiarity breeds contempt'
I'm fine with a cock/erel hand feeding when invited,
but he should stay out of my way at all other times.
He can run up and show concern when I pick up another bird that then squawks,
but he should stop when he see's it's me and nothing to worry about.
There's fine line of balance there, and has much to do with the keepers demeanor.
But that might not probably won't work with a general public scenario like you have.
Your situation is much different.

 

[Folly's place]

This bird is dangerous to people who have a right to be there, and he's a huge liability for the owners. Is he your bird, or does he belong to the farm? He needs to be totally confined away from all visitors, or gone elsewhere, ASAP.
It's not possible to train him to change this behavior, he's only going to get worse, and he will cause harm. How about a child loosing an eye? That's where this is going, and it's not good.
Mary

 

[Bigfish502]

@Shadrach @Folly's place the bird doesn't officially belong to me he belongs to the organization hosting the apprenticeship program. Luckily we don't see a lot of children (only 1 child has been on the property and he was under very close supervision) come by and for for the most part the residents spend most of their time indoors. But I agree that he will need to be kept away from normal high traffic areas. I guess at this point is figuring out how to best go about doing it.

 

[LMN1966]

Place him in a cage away from the others and strangers, show him who's boss! Do this for about a week. See what happens then. Right now he's ruling the roost!

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)?

 

[getaclue]

A decent sized, predator proof coop, built in two sections, one larger, and one smaller, with attached larger runs, again in two sections would me more suited to your situation. This would allow a bit more biosecurity, allow people to view the birds, without everyone having direct access to them, unless warranted. With this set up, the rooster could be with the main flock, but isolated as needed. The second section can also be used for isolation of an injured bird, as well as for a sitting hen, and her new chicks.

I have several very good roosters. They are fine with me, and my family, including my grandchildren. I have shown some of my flock, so we are very hands on with them. They are even good with my youngest grandchild. That does not mean that random strangers could continuously wander into their pens, being afraid, not knowing how to act around them, and they would accept it.

 

[Cryss]

He needs a bachelor pad with a good run so he can see and be seen by the hens. Otherwise get rid of him. He is a liability. He is also not one you want for breeding because aggressive behavior can be hereditary. You also don’t want more roosters which you absolutely will have if you allow hatching. As a good flock tending rooster he would do very well in a different setting with a flock of hens that are confined to an appropriately sized run. He just shouldn’t be allowed to free range around humans.

 

[VictoriaTemple]

If you have time to devote to training, learn 2 proven nonviolent corrections for bad behavior: The 5 Yard Penalty and the Penalty Box.

The 5 Yard Penalty: Rooster does something of which you do not approve. Pick up the rooster and put his head under your armpit, holding his body against your ribs like a football. Don’t suffocate him, just pin his head. Proceed to march briskly around the yard for 5 minutes, then release him.

The Penalty Box: If the 5 Yard Penalty fails to correct your rooster’s behavior, get a laundry hamper, preferably one an “occupant” can see through. As soon as your bird requires correction, place him under the overturned Penalty Box. Leave him there until he stops pacing. This is most effective when done in sight of his hens, it is shameful without endangering his place in the pecking order. The hens might come over to comfort him- let them, but do not release until his aggressive body language is gone.This technique is most effective of all if the errant roo is “boxed” in close proximity to the feeder and must watch the others eat.

Please remember, there is such a thing as good negative correction. However, you must NEVER hit or kick a bird!!! They are very fragile, extremely susceptible to broken bones and internal injuries, and they feel pain so intensely it shortcircuits their cognitive function, meaning they will never understand why you hit them. (This is a natural behavior somewhat like “deer in headlights”, which protects prey animals from suffering excessive mental trauma when attacked by a predator. In essence, it is a “fight or flight” response evolved to help them die quickly.) Also, an injured bird, having abandoned higher reasoning under nervous stress, will instinctively imprint that YOU HIT HIM, permanently re-categorizing you as “dangerous menace” instead of “caring and useful provider of food and shelter.” This will only make matters worse, and inevitably the roo will end up in the old stovetop bubble bath.

Don’t lose hope! For the hens’ sake if nothing else, a rooster will learn to behave. You haven’t described a psycho-roo, just a good attentive flock leader with a few issues in threat assessment. Please work with him. God bless and good luck!