New Rooster added to established flock

[ssmith41068]

I have 6, just turned a year old, hens and 6, 11 week old, pullets. All the girls are together in the run but at night the big girls go to the coop and my littles go to the house I made for them when I first moved them outside. A few weeks ago, I decided I wanted a rooster for protection, we have a lot of hawks around. I found a beautiful 1 year old roo I that just had to have. I introduced him to the girls separated by fence. Of course there was dislike towards him at first but when I finally let him in with them he started his herding dance, which is hilarious because the girls ignore him. I have not witnessed any bullying or blood shed yet but a couple of my girls don't like him. He has shown no interest in the littles. My problem with him is he attacks my husband every time he goes in the run. I take my walking stick in with me and just hold it in front of me and he stays back. I know he is just showing me he is boss and these are his girls but all I want is respect from him and to stop attacking my husband. Tips are very much appreciated. Oh, one other thing, is it normal for my girls to stop laying because of introducing Mr. Roo to them? I went from getting 5 -6 eggs a day to 2-3 a day. I hope it is temporary!!! Thanks much!!

 

[mandi427]

To show a rooster that he's not in charge of the people, my husband will pick the rooster up, tuck him under his arm, and walk around the chicken yard with him. Carry the roo to do chores and such. It takes a couple of days, but they learn and stay away.

 

[Folly's place]

Any change can stress your birds, and that can change or stop egg laying, at least for some time.
Do your birds free range? There could be a hidden next somewhere!
On having an attack bird; life is too short! I'd guess that this bird was rehomed over this issue, and this isn't very likely to get better. If you have small children around, even occasionally, it's out of the question to keep him.
There are articles on this site concerning rooster behavior, and reforming aggressive behavior. @Beekissed and @Shadrach come to mind, and there are others. You will read wildly divergent recommendations from different people, (especially folks with less experience!) and have to decide how you want to go forward with him.
There are so many nice roosters out there, and this guy isn't one of them.
Mary

 

[Shadrach]

I have 6, just turned a year old, hens and 6, 11 week old, pullets. All the girls are together in the run but at night the big girls go to the coop and my littles go to the house I made for them when I first moved them outside. A few weeks ago, I decided I wanted a rooster for protection, we have a lot of hawks around. I found a beautiful 1 year old roo I that just had to have. I introduced him to the girls separated by fence. Of course there was dislike towards him at first but when I finally let him in with them he started his herding dance, which is hilarious because the girls ignore him. I have not witnessed any bullying or blood shed yet but a couple of my girls don't like him. He has shown no interest in the littles. My problem with him is he attacks my husband every time he goes in the run. I take my walking stick in with me and just hold it in front of me and he stays back. I know he is just showing me he is boss and these are his girls but all I want is respect from him and to stop attacking my husband. Tips are very much appreciated. Oh, one other thing, is it normal for my girls to stop laying because of introducing Mr. Roo to them? I went from getting 5 -6 eggs a day to 2-3 a day. I hope it is temporary!!! Thanks much!!View attachment 2143713

I see you've identified the herding movement correctly.
You wont ever get respect. They don't know what it means. What you can get is a working arrangement. I've come to believe, with no evidence bar what I see here that roosters can be a lot like dogs in only responding well to one person. I'm not sure there is much one can do about it. The obvious thing for all chicken keepers who keep roosters, particularly at that age (I find they don't fully settle down until around two years old) is to wear suitable clothing and keep unprotected parts of the body away from any flying claws and spurs.
When wearing stout boots/shoes and heavywieght trousers a rooster can't really inflict an injury and the person having the problems can go about their business not worried about getting hurt. This is realy important because it gives the person confidence and the rooster realises that his attacks are not having the desired effect.
I wrote this article hoping it might help people with their roosters.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/understanding-your-rooster.75056/

 

[Folly's place]

I forget to add that there are people who recommend grabbing him and carrying him around.
Maybe you have super reflexes, and can grab an attack bird in mid-flight. I'm not usually that coordinated! It also doesn't really mean anything to him, and could get you injured while trying to get him.
Mary

 

[ssmith41068]

I see you've identified the herding movement correctly.
You wont ever get respect. They don't know what it means. What you can get is a working arrangement. I've come to believe, with no evidence bar what I see here that roosters can be a lot like dogs in only responding well to one person. I'm not sure there is much one can do about it. The obvious thing for all chicken keepers who keep roosters, particularly at that age (I find they don't fully settle down until around two years old) is to wear suitable clothing and keep unprotected parts of the body away from any flying claws and spurs.
When wearing stout boots/shoes and heavywieght trousers a rooster can't really inflict an injury and the person having the problems can go about their business not worried about getting hurt. This is realy important because it gives the person confidence and the rooster realises that his attacks are not having the desired effect.
I wrote this article hoping it might help people with their roosters.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/understanding-your-rooster.75056/

I did read your article and it was very informative. I do wear boots, jeans and long sleeve when I go out to take care of the girls. I have been trying to ignore him but still keep a watchful eye on him. I make slow movements and try not to show him that I am a threat to him or the girls. Hopefully we will come to some type of agreement soon.

 

[ssmith41068]

I forget to add that there are people who recommend grabbing him and carrying him around.
Maybe you have super reflexes, and can grab an attack bird in mid-flight. I'm not usually that coordinated! It also doesn't really mean anything to him, and could get you injured while trying to get him.
Mary

Yes, I believe my girls free range. I have a fenced in run that is probably 100 - 120 yards long by 20 yards wide with trees and brush for them to forge through. No small children, my son is 15 and bigger than me. So no problem there. My husband or myself want no chance at trying to catch him to hold him. I just want a working relationship with him. I think a lot of the issues stem from the girls were here first and they trust and like me and he thinks I'm a threat when I'm in the run. I just hope the girls forgive me and start laying again. I guess time will tell.

 

[ssmith41068]

Thanks everyone for the words of wisdom. I have only been a chicken mama for a year now, so I'm still new to all of this. You guys on here have sure helped me understand and learn a lot. I am planning on keeping Mr. Roo for now. I believe with time we will learn to come to an understanding that he is in charge of security and I'm in charge of feeding, watering and keeping coop nice and clean. I didn't expect nor want him as a pet, but I also don't want to have to constantly watch him when I go out to do my chores.
Thanks to all
Stacy

 

[Shadrach]

I did read your article and it was very informative. I do wear boots, jeans and long sleeve when I go out to take care of the girls. I have been trying to ignore him but still keep a watchful eye on him. I make slow movements and try not to show him that I am a threat to him or the girls. Hopefully we will come to some type of agreement soon.

There are so many variables it's almost impossible to give relevant advice.
I would suggest offering any treats and feed to him first and let him call his hens over for it. It seems to do wonders for roosters and cockerels suffering from insecurity issues.
I'm glad to read that it seems you are prepared to persevere with him.

 

[ssmith41068]

There are so many variables it's almost impossible to give relevant advice.
I would suggest offering any treats and feed to him first and let him call his hens over for it. It seems to do wonders for roosters and cockerels suffering from insecurity issues.
I'm glad to read that it seems you are prepared to persevere with him.

I tried that last night and he got me on the wrist. Didn't break the skin but left a bruise. I think it was because a couple of the girls were eating out of the bucket as I was trying to show him what I had. I will try again tonight. Thanks so much!! Stacy