Rooster aggression help?

[LaurenRitz]

How old are they?

Do they do this only when you are not present? If so, that suggests that they know they're doing something you would disapprove of and you're the alpha--which also means that the second they see you as vulnerable they're going to try to unseat you and take the head spot.

You need to identify which is the problem. I would suggest rooster jail, or a bachelor pad. Lock up three of the four, let the other out for a week or two until things settle down. Watch the behavior closely. If no sign of human aggression, mark the bird clearly, lock it up with the other boys and let another out.

It is entirely possible that the aggression is caused by competition issues and won't manifest with only one roo out, but I agree with the others. Once they start getting aggressive, it will only accelerate unless you're willing to put in some time for intensive training. A bird is not worth weeks or months of constant attention, in my opinion.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

You can also trim perpetrator's spurs.

Spurs are only one of a rooster's weapons. They can also do serious damage with their beak and there is no way to disarm that. They can use it as a battering ram (that's how my rooster hurt me, he smacked me in the knee from a dead run and knocked me down, it was like being smacked full force with the claw part of a hammer!). He can also bite, and if you've ever had a chicken grab hold of you, bite down and twist, you know the damage they can do - imagine a grown man grabbing hold of you with a pair of pliers and trying to rip the flesh off your arm for example. The bottom line is, a rooster can HURT you. And they can much more seriously harm a child. Don't take chances. If they're already showing signs of aggression, eliminate them from your situation. Do I sound harsh? It's because I've been hurt. My rooster poilicy now is, strike one, you're dead.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I know you are all probably right but it makes me very sad…

I don’t want to be harsh, but you will feel a lot sadder sitting in the waiting room of the ER with a seriously wounded granddaughter.

Please do what needs to be done.

 

[chooki]

While as I agree that aggressive roosters should never be allowed to be in physical contact with small children because they can cause grievously harm, let's face it, the real reason why most people prefer to cull a rooster that showed any sign of aggression is that roosters are inexpensive livestock that don't make any economic sense because they don't give you eggs.

Roosters generally don't cause more harm than a wild cat or vicious dogs. I have kept quite a few roosters over the years, in a rooster flock, so I think I have certain knowledge on the topic. Keeping roosters with hens can potentially make them more aggressive. I have successfully reformed aggressive roosters before, but let's be realistic, the chance isn't very high.

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

I don’t want to be harsh, but you will feel a lot sadder sitting in the waiting room of the ER with a seriously wounded granddaughter.

Please do what needs to be done.

Then I'll be the harsher person.
(For the original writer, not directed at Mother of Chaos)

As the human responsible for the animals, you are also responsible for their actions and any harm they do to others.
They're under your care, they're on your property, and you're allowing them to attack people.
The BARE minimum, if you really hate the idea of a human aggressive animal with an attack history being humanely euthanized, is to ensure they can never attack anybody. But that usually means they're locked up forever.

 

[chooki]

Well, you can have a very large enclosure, this is my rooster flock 'locked up' in the 3rd paddock:

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

Well, you can have a very large enclosure, this is my rooster flock 'locked up' in the 3rd paddock:

View attachment 4268029

I'm not sure what your goal is with this comment.

 

[chooki]

I am saying that people should be given all the information so they can choose solutions that suit them the best. I am not against others butcher their aggressive roosters for I am not a vegan/vegetarian myself. I am just saying it's possible to keep those roosters if you love them enough and have all the right resources.

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

I am saying that people should be given all the information so they can choose solutions that suit them the best. I am not against others butcher their aggressive roosters for I am not a vegan/vegetarian myself. I am just saying it's possible to keep those roosters if you love them enough and have all the right resources.

I just don't understand the comment, because an aggressive animal can easily find a way past a 4'-6' fence to get to their target.
I brought up they can be kept, just that they shouldn't be allowed to attack others which will likely mean being locked up.

"if you love them enough" is .... manipulative and sounds like somebody saying "if you put them down or don't keep them, you don't love them at all"
Choosing to humanely dispatch an animal who is dangerous (or suffering) isn't lacking love. It's just a choice nobody wants to make, and some know is necessary.

 

[McChooky]

The odds your family will allow you to keep these roosters after being attacked is slim. Not to mention once they get older they are going to fight each other and overmate the hens.I'm sorry you're so heartbroken over the roosters but you'll feel better knowing they can't hurt your family anymore.After all they're more important to you