Roo getting aggresive?

[Misfit Farm]

My dear sweet Brahma cross roo Snoopy "attacked" me last night for the first time. He is about 2 year old and I have had him since he was 11 months old. He has always been a bit standoffish but never aggressive. When I let my 10 hens out of their pen to free range the girls all ran down the hill with me walking behind them. I felt something hit me in the back of the legs, when I turned to look Snoopy was winding up to come at me again . I kicked him away but not very hard. He started coming at me again with "that look" in his eyes so I kicked him away harder and as DH said "Explained the recipe for chicken soup to him". I took an aggressive posture myself and walked towards him at which point he went off with his girls. I kept a close eye on him and was careful not to turn my back on him after that.

I have only had chickens for about a year and Snoopy is my first experience with a rooster. My question to the experience chicken people out there is - Do you think he "got it" and my quick response to his aggressive behavior nipped it in the bud? Or will his aggressiveness escalate from here? I am pregnant and will not have an aggressive/dangerous rooster around when there is going to be a baby/child in the picture. I love Snoopy and could not kill him myself but have a friend that would be happy to do it for me if need be. I hope it doesn't come to that though. Any thoughts of advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Jen

 

[bigzio]

jen, seems like the roo's get excited when first left out til he is able to gather the women up. Mine never bother me at all. In your case some roo's need reminded from time to time who is boss, how often depends on the roo. I guess I wouldn't turn my back on him for a while and see how it plays out. Good Luck.

bigzio

 

[raysflock]

I had a very aggressive rooster when I first got chickens. Every time I went in the coop he would come and pick my pants legs and shoes. I ignored this, until one day he few off the roost at my face. The wire mesh door was the only thing between my face and the rooster. My fear was he would pick one of my grandchildren , ages 4 and 6, in the face or eye. He had to go. Your concern for your new born when he/ she arrives is well founded.
Ray

 

[Forest_Nymph]

Spring is in the air...and so isn't breeding season!

 

[silkiechicken]

Keep an eye on him and if he continues to be agressive, he's gotta go. I had a roo turn mean, but showed him what he was dealing with just once and he never tried again....but this other rooster on the other hand... no matter how many times I tried, he never lost his meanness. Depends on the bird. Good luck and let's hope he learned his lesson.

 

[Hotwings]

I can sympathsize with your situation. My friends rooster Jack might just be heading to that rooster heaven in the sky. She has had him ever since he is a chick. When he reached sexual maturity he started to show aggressive behavior(chestbutting). He attacked everyone but her, but last week he tried to attack. He showed the stance and he started to fly up at her and she whacked him with a broom. Her husband has had a bad run in with him, Jack tore a hole in his pants and drew blood with his spurs. Hubby gave him a what for and for awhile they had a mutual understanding. Well Jack attacked him again and that was the last draw. My friend is now deathly afraid of Jack. He is a pretty itimidating bird(about a 8 pound Plymouth Barred Rock). Now she is afraid she is going to have to dispose of him and blaming herself that she did something wrong, for example not giving him enough attention as a chick and etc. She said she won't get another rooster now. I told her it wasn't her fault. That is a rooster for you and sometimes no matter what you do they can turn. Jack is only 1 year old. I love roosters but I wish it didn't have to come with this extremely aggressive behavior.

 

[Barnyard Dawg]

My wife's response would be " chicken no lucky" and he would end up in the pot.

 

[Freebie]

Hey Hotwings, Jack is still acting up a little. Has not gone after anyone since Gary on Sunday morning. I just have to figure out how to get those eggs out. I guess I will wait till tonight and close the barn while they are out in the yard. I think I can deal with him, I am really more worried about the hens. Their backs are getting all tore up. I know my fear is a little unrealistic, as I am much bigger and can always carry a bat with me. I just don't want to have to do that, and my poor girls. I don't know what to do. Gary is not ready to give up on him yet.

(Sorry about the little hyjack there)

 

[dharveymi]

My little rooster started acting up yesterday. My kids and I raised him from a chick with two hens. He's only about 4-5 months old. Up until now, he follows us around the yard like a dog, even letting us pet him and carry him around. Just this week, he started crowing. Do you think he's biting us because we laugh at him? Just kidding! My husband says its the testosterone. I'm taking a water bottle out with me today and spraying him in the face if he comes at me. Just wish there was something positive I could do.

 

[Hotwings]

Quote:
I don't think it was anything you done. It is a rooster thing. I came to the conclusion that for pound for pound a rooster has to be one of the gutsiest little animal around! Sexual maturity and the presence of the hens usually sets this off. I never thought of a spray bottle. I don't really think water will stop a rooster , but I can try it and see. Some breeds of rooster are better than others.