Rooster Aggression Help

[bubbalucas]

Hello,

my rooster that I hatched myself has been exceedingly aggressive, including hurting my hens during mating, to the point that their backs have a little to no feathers. Also, when letting him out of the coop to free range for a bit, he has been aggressive to me and family members. Some days are worse than others.

My rooster was born in August of last year, so I know that his first mating season can lead to excessive aggressiveness.

A little less than a week ago, I isolated him in a cage away from the rest of my flock to give him some alone time, which I read that that could be an effective method of calming him down.

What are some extra steps that I can take, as well as what is the proper method to isolating him.

I have four new chicks that I am trying to slowly Add to my flock, but his aggression worries me on their safety.

Thank you

All tips and tricks are helpful!!!

 

[GodLovesU]

How many hens and other roosters do you have? This article has a lot of advice for aggressive roosters. Best of luck!
Edit: getting him more hens might help, although probably not with the aggression.

 

[WildNectarine]

Hello,

my rooster that I hatched myself has been exceedingly aggressive, including hurting my hens during mating, to the point that their backs have a little to no feathers. Also, when letting him out of the coop to free range for a bit, he has been aggressive to me and family members. Some days are worse than others.

My rooster was born in August of last year, so I know that his first mating season can lead to excessive aggressiveness.

A little less than a week ago, I isolated him in a cage away from the rest of my flock to give him some alone time, which I read that that could be an effective method of calming him down.

What are some extra steps that I can take, as well as what is the proper method to isolating him.

I have four new chicks that I am trying to slowly Add to my flock, but his aggression worries me on their safety.

Thank you

All tips and tricks are helpful!!!

I keep all my Coturnix quail roosters alone, with a plush quail as a friend and mate, they are very happy and never so much as crow. So that’s an idea.

 

[bubbalucas]

How many hens and other roosters do you have? This article has a lot of advice for aggressive roosters. Best of luck!

4 hens, 1 rooster, 4 chicks (unknown gender) total…thanks!!

 

[AMURPHY227]

Hello,

my rooster that I hatched myself has been exceedingly aggressive, including hurting my hens during mating, to the point that their backs have a little to no feathers. Also, when letting him out of the coop to free range for a bit, he has been aggressive to me and family members. Some days are worse than others.

How many hens does he have?
You can purchase back saddles for the girls on Amazon. I've used them before and they work well while still allowing the hen to move around as normal.

There are a few factors that play into Roosters acting out.
It could be Rooberty- between the age of 6 mos-2 years old their hormones are all over the place. This can cause him to act out, and to be very very into the ladies.

Once a rooster hits rooberty, its a constant earning of trust. To earn his trust, you have to WANT to understand him. Once you understand a rooster, they are the most amazing little guys!

The first thing you must understand is that a roosters job is to protect his flock. Just because he sees you everyday doesn't mean he understands that you mean well for him and his ladies.
Routine is important to them. And also, they do not like bright colors, sudden movements, or loud noises.
I go in my bachelor pen everyday and I move at a normal pace, I don't slam doors, I don't speak loudly, etc.

They will act out if there is a perceived threat. It could be a person, another animal, or even a predator that has maybe been lurking around at night.

My stepson comes outside sometimes when my boys are out, and they will crow because they don't know him, and he will run up to them and crow back loudly..... then what does the rooster do? He does his little shuffle telling my stepson to FAFO. My oldest stepson did this to a rooster I had a few years ago, and I kept telling him to quit but he didn't. Then one day it happened. I opened the door to the coop, and I was giving him treats out of my hand. My stepson walked out back, rooster saw him and came flying out the coop and JUMPED at him, then proceeded to chase him around about 3 of our 7 acres!! It was hilarious (I wish I had that on video ).

Some roosters may not like a certain shoe you wear, and will let you know. One of mine HATES my crocs lol....so I don't wear my crocs out to my bachelor pen.

My advice is to form a bond with your rooster by letting him eat treats or even feed out of your hand. (This works better if he was raised up doing this). Remember roosters are reactive, and be aware of your actions to see if he is reacting to you. If you show your rooster respect he will return it.

And always, ALWAYS give him the treats to give to his ladies.

A little less than a week ago, I isolated him in a cage away from the rest of my flock to give him some alone time, which I read that that could be an effective method of calming him down.

What are some extra steps that I can take, as well as what is the proper method to isolating him.

I wouldn't isolate him. He's just being a rooster.
If he's 9 months old and you are JUST now seeing these signs within the past month or 2, he will grow out of it. Just bear with him through it and he will be the best boy! I've never believed in showing dominance to a rooster-that will only instill fear into him. I've always believed in going with the trust and understanding method, and it works wonders!
The fact that you are asking questions in itself tells me you want to understand this guy

 

[Camo chicken146]

I believe aggression is genetic and once he's become aggressive he's probably gonna stay that way, best thing to do if he's still being aggressive is to cull.

 

[AMURPHY227]

I believe aggression is genetic and once he's become aggressive he's probably gonna stay that way, best thing to do if he's still being aggressive is to cull.

Genetic aggression is not all that common. Does it happen, yes. Is it always the answer if a rooster acts out? No.

Genetic aggression is shown much earlier than 9 months old. And they 100% do grow out of it when its not genetics. 6 mos-2 years old their hormones are raging all over, then they level out and calm down. Too many people cull roosters for doing their jobs and not even realizing its probably some of their own actions the rooster is perceiving as a threat.

 

[WildNectarine]

How many hens does he have?
You can purchase back saddles for the girls on Amazon. I've used them before and they work well while still allowing the hen to move around as normal.

There are a few factors that play into Roosters acting out.
It could be Rooberty- between the age of 6 mos-2 years old their hormones are all over the place. This can cause him to act out, and to be very very into the ladies.

Once a rooster hits rooberty, its a constant earning of trust. To earn his trust, you have to WANT to understand him. Once you understand a rooster, they are the most amazing little guys!

The first thing you must understand is that a roosters job is to protect his flock. Just because he sees you everyday doesn't mean he understands that you mean well for him and his ladies.
Routine is important to them. And also, they do not like bright colors, sudden movements, or loud noises.
I go in my bachelor pen everyday and I move at a normal pace, I don't slam doors, I don't speak loudly, etc.

They will act out if there is a perceived threat. It could be a person, another animal, or even a predator that has maybe been lurking around at night.

My stepson comes outside sometimes when my boys are out, and they will crow because they don't know him, and he will run up to them and crow back loudly..... then what does the rooster do? He does his little shuffle telling my stepson to FAFO. My oldest stepson did this to a rooster I had a few years ago, and I kept telling him to quit but he didn't. Then one day it happened. I opened the door to the coop, and I was giving him treats out of my hand. My stepson walked out back, rooster saw him and came flying out the coop and JUMPED at him, then proceeded to chase him around about 3 of our 7 acres!! It was hilarious (I wish I had that on video ).

Some roosters may not like a certain shoe you wear, and will let you know. One of mine HATES my crocs lol....so I don't wear my crocs out to my bachelor pen.

My advice is to form a bond with your rooster by letting him eat treats or even feed out of your hand. And always, ALWAYS give him the treats to give to his ladies.




I wouldn't isolate him. He's just being a rooster.
If he's 9 months old and you are JUST now seeing these signs within the past month or 2, he will grow out of it. Just bear with him through it and he will be the best boy! I've never believed in showing dominance to a rooster, I've always believed in going with the trust and understanding method, and it works wonders!
The fact that you are asking questions in itself tells me you want to understand this guy

Hens shouldn’t have to wear anything, or even tolerate a bad rooster, they don’t deserve that.

 

[WildNectarine]

I believe aggression is genetic and once he's become aggressive he's probably gonna stay that way, best thing to do if he's still being aggressive is to cull.

I agree, either keep him alone with a plush for a friend, or soup him.

 

[WildNectarine]

Genetic aggression is not all that common. Does it happen, yes. Is it always the answer if a rooster acts out? No.

Genetic aggression is shown much earlier than 9 months old. And they 100% do grow out of it when its not genetics. 6 mos-2 years old their hormones are raging all over, then they level out and calm down. Too many people cull roosters for doing their jobs and not even realizing its probably some of their own actions the rooster is perceiving as a threat.

A rooster’s job is to fertilize eggs, not protect hens, that’s your job. A chicken a couple pounds bigger is still a chicken, and won’t do much other than make it easy for predators to catch him by running right up. Sure there’s some cool stories of roosters fighting things off, but you and the hens shouldn’t have to suffer every day just because he might protect them.