RIR rooster: unprovoked attack>>>

[allen wranch]

No, don't cut off the spur stump. it is part of the leg right now.

All roosters are different. My speckled Sussex used to be a sweetheart, but turned into a real threat when he got some ladies. I use the Easy Chicken method to keep him in line, but I would NEVER trust him with a child near by.

My Spitz roosters are never aggressive unless I pick up one of their hens. If the hen squawks, the roo attacks. When I put the hen down, he goes about his business and can care less what I do.

Just keep an eye on your roos as they mature.

 

[CarriBrown]

I've found an easy way to keep my roo from attacking me... and I came about it by accident.
He only runs at me when I'm turned around. I always keep an eye on him, and when he come running, I turn around and face him. I stand my ground and he stands his, but he always backs down first. When he walks off, that is when I start to walk away again.
That is my way of saying, "I'm leaving because I want to, not because you are chasing me!" It seems to be working so far, but I've only been doing it for a couple days.
Something that I've noticed too is the girls will always come running when they see me. Kip the roo will call them ("Look what I found to eat!") and they ignore him.
Take THAT, Mr. Rooster!

 

[FrozenChicken]

Good Article , I wonder if the author has a "Flock Leader" shirt

Very true though as the Alpha of my flock is now sadly fallen to last place over the winter. So now I no longer fear those spurs of his. Not sure who the top roo is have to watch a little more to figure out which one.

 

[Kesta]

rir`s are actually sorta mean i have 3 hens of that breed only one laying so far and today i tried to hand feed her and instead of eating the feed she bit my finger,not pecked but beak bit it really hurt. there notorious for being more agressive than most breeds but very reliable layers

 

[pdsavage]

I use a net,the roosters i have know what the net is.

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/art2004/net.jpg

 

[edster951]

I did what BigR article said.

From an early age, I would swat the roos aside to let the pullets feed first.

I would chase them when they tried to mate the pullets.

I would chase them when they crowed, then try to crow myself.

I'd pat them at bedtime when they were roosting and say goodnight.

Everynow and then I would chase him into the corner.

Never had him attack me yet...

 

[nieceharr]

I have a Black Australorp Roo who is 20 weeks old. His spurs are just little nobs now and has been such a sweet guy until today! He "chested" me this morning. I picked him up and held him for a few minutes (he started to fall asleep, as I was petting and talking to him too). He has been such a sweet rooster - watching out for his girls and "talking" to us all the time. Is this "chesting" the beginning of sparring? My 6 year old said he was chasing him too and I assume that he was doing the same thing to him, so now I'm concerned. We could never have him for stew (or nuggets!). This was a wake-up call for me this morning and up until today, never would have trimmed his spurs (I think I will now, especially because I have kids).

The second time he tried to "chest" me this morning was after I held him. I saw him coming and just said his name (Henry). He stopped in his tracks. I have never had to watch my back with him. Will I forever have to now? What about my 6 year old - should I keep him in the house when the chickens are free ranging? If his spurs are kept short, could he still hurt us?

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I've heard alot of mean RIR roos. I have a cochin roo because so many said they have never met a mean cochin roo! I'm hoping...so far so good! BUT he is only 2 months old too!

 

[nnbreeder]

They are actually more likely to turn agressive on you the more you handle them, they stop seeing you as that big scarey thing that comes around and more like a member of THEIR flock that needs to be put in their place.

 

[newchickmom]

I think the best thing is to let them know you are the head rooster, but if you have children, that is a whole different story.
My australorp started comming after people who were petting the hens. I let him know this would not be tollerated! That worked fine with me and he left me alone, but if it was anyone else, he would still come after them. He made a very good pot of chicken and noodles. I did give him the honor of it being home made noodles though.