RIR Roo keeps flogging me...

[redladybug12]

It hasn't actually hurt me yet just came at with wings up...but I guess I should expect it to escalate?

One of my coworkers who grew up with chickens suggested me get a straw broom to tap it with if he comes at me again...thoughts? He said he grew up always seeing his mom go out with a broom to ward off any feisty roosters, dogs, or cats.

The lady we got them from had three "sets" of flocks she was trying to sell, each with a rooster. She had a 2 year old rooster but we thought it better to go for a younger one. Maybe we should have gone for the older one? (since she obviously hadn't decided to get rid of him in 2 years?). She saw we had a toddler and a baby, I wouldn't think she would knowingly ditch a mean one one us?

So much info/decisions. She also had chicks but it was a birthday present to me and we decided that waiting 5-6 months for eggs was a long time. Maybe we should have just started with chicks.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

I would not be surprised if his aggression escalated. Think in a broad picture here. You can carry a broom to swat him away, but what about the little one? Or if you ever have company over? The one I dealt with started with running up behind me. When I turned around he would start pecking the ground as if he was eating, but he wasn't. (first signs) Then he started to run up and fluff his feathers at me. I'd chase him off and all would be normal for a minute. It escalated again. He full out jumped at me so I'd chase him off again. (I had tried holding him in the beginning, but it made no difference) Then he'd jump at me without backing down. I could usually get him to back off by plopping him in a snow bank, but it did no good. He started attacking my boyfriend, then the neighbors if they stopped over, a kid, etc. I know each case is different, but I just don't see the reason to keep a beast. And I doubt that lady took into consideration that you had a child. Maybe she didn't have children around or she knew and just didn't give a hoot.

 

[aart]

I think dealing with roosters is one of the hardest reality checks/lessons of new chicken owners.
Mrs. K summed it up very nicely, as usual.

If you got chickens for food, both eggs and meat, here is your opportunity to try out your butchering skills.
Either eat him or, if you're not ready or inclined to butcher, give him away.
If you plan on hatching eggs eventually, you will have more roosters to deal with.

Meanwhile, put him in another coop or cage....a large wire dog crate works well.
If you can't pick him up during the day, take him off the roost well after dark and put him in the cage.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I think dealing with roosters is one of the hardest reality checks/lessons of new chicken owners.
Mrs. K summed it up very nicely, as usual.

If you got chickens for food, both eggs and meat, here is your opportunity to try out your butchering skills.
Either eat him or, if you're not ready or inclined to butcher, give him away.
If you plan on hatching eggs eventually, you will have more roosters to deal with.

Meanwhile, put him in another coop or cage....a large wire dog crate works well.
If you can't pick him up during the day, take him off the roost well after dark and put him in the cage.

If you do choose to re-home this buggar, please be sure that you do so with FULL disclosure as to why you are ridding yourself of him. It is one thing for someone to choose to take on a nasty bird, but quite another to be duped into taking it (as it seems may have been the case for you as I highly doubt he just started this behavior when he moved to your place).