Rooster aggression

[LCsAChickenLover]

Hello fellow chicken enthusiasts,
I am a fairly new chicken keeper and probably have zero business getting involved with a rooster, but here we are, so..Back in mid October I adopted a 5.5 month old Black Australorp from a friend of mine who got him in a straight run. When he came to me I of course quarantined him for about 2 weeks in a sectioned off area inside the chicken run before introducing him to the ladies, but they could see each other. Apart from being young and hasty with the girls and having to learn to woo them properly, he’s been great with the hens. Me, not so much..
The first 2 days being here he was okay with me but by day three, he bit me on my hand and I chalked it up to new home anxiety/stress or maybe I was being too touchy for him. Then the next day he got me on the top of my arm as I offered treats and thought maybe he was just excited about the treats and it was an accident. Then a few days later he bit the top of my foot hard and I realized nope, not an accident, he’s a meanie. He would charge toward me when I would go into the yard, puff up and kick dirt at me. But I stood my ground with him and never stepped backwards away but would walk towards him slowly and that seemed to work, slowing down his out bursts. He only displayed this kind of behavior with me, no one else in the family, so I figured he just didn’t like me for whatever reason or maybe he felt threatened some how. So over the next few months he kept a close eye on me from a distance and I on him when in the yard and all seemed good
Fast forward to about 2 weeks ago when my younger pullets started to lay, his aggression returned and is worse than it was before. I am no longer his only target, it’s anyone that goes into the backyard, treats or no treats. He even chases my Rottweiler who is now terrified of him
Sorry this is so long, but what can I do to get this guy to stop this aggressive behavior? Or is he just maturing into a jerk? He’s only 8 months old so I’m hopeful someone out there has a magic trick for me to try out on him!?
I’d really love to keep him, he’s such a handsome guy and good with his girls, but unless I can stop his naughty behavior, I don’t see how it would work out. Again sorry about the novel..

 

[bobbi-j]

You’re the only one who can decide how much nonsense you want to take from him, and how you want to handle it. I use a hands off approach with my cockerels. I don’t pet, pick up, carry or hand feed. When I’m out with the chickens, I walk with confidence around them. I do not “tread lightly” because I want them to know that I will not be pushed around. I walk through them if they’re between me and where I want to go. If one decides to sneak up on me from behind, I turn around and face him, walk toward him and back him up. Sometimes I just walk toward them until they move away. I move them away from the feeder and waterer just because I can. Basically, I meet their every challenge. I don’t care if they crow or mount a hen in front of me - I’m not a rooster. I just want them to respect my space. I have not had a problem with cockerels or roosters since I have started raising them this way.

 

[Folly's place]

I agree with @bobbi-j , except to say that I have had cockerels who never gave up, and were attack birds, until they met their end. Sometimes nothing works! An idiot who attacks the giant who brings food every day can't be that bright, and shouldn't join the gene pool.
@Beekissed , @BantyChooks , and also @Shadrach , who has a very different flock structure and environment, all have good articles about managing roosters. Look them up, for starters.
Good roosters are wonderful, the others, not.
I think that cockerels raised in mixed age flocks, with adult hens and roosters, tend to grow up better too.
Mary

 

[Shadrach]

I'll link you to an article I wrote about rooster behaviour. As @Folly's place mentions, my keeping arrangements are different from many back yard keepers.
The article doesn't give tactics for dealing with rooster aggression, it's more about why they are aggressive and what circunstances may encourage that behaviour.
@bobbi-j has the right idea imo. Roosters are in the end for many keepers a confidence bluff. They know if you're scared of them. Theyoften sort their own disputes out in this fashion. One rooster will charge at another to see if it will run away. If the rooster being charged at stands it's ground then mostly, not always, but mostly, if they fight it will be a half hearted affair and both will wander off feeling they've salvaged their pride.
Game roosters and some very feral roosters are different.
Have a read of the article. Wear heavy duty clothing and footware while you attempt to sort the behaviour out. Keep everyone else away from the rooster. They can be much like dogs; only respond well to one person.
He sounds like he should turn out to be a good rooster for your hens; aggressive roosters often are. Whether he will fit in with your keeping arrangements is another matter.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/understanding-your-rooster.75056/

 

[Ryguy3684]

From 7-11 months old, my rooster was a bit of a jerk to my wife. Never to me, but I think he looked at me as the boss. Aside from that, he is a great rooster. Not aggressive towards the kids, and very good to the hens. There was one thing my wife would do during this time. When she went into the back yard, she'd walk straight at him and make him back down. Keep walking like he's not there. He would keep backing up until he eventually submitted, turning around to disengage. Good luck.

 

[bobbi-j]

I agree with @bobbi-j , except to say that I have had cockerels who never gave up, and were attack birds, until they met their end. Sometimes nothing works! An idiot who attacks the giant who brings food every day can't be that bright, and shouldn't join the gene pool.
@Beekissed , @BantyChooks , and also @Shadrach , who has a very different flock structure and environment, all have good articles about managing roosters. Look them up, for starters.
Good roosters are wonderful, the others, not.
I think that cockerels raised in mixed age flocks, with adult hens and roosters, tend to grow up better too.
Mary

I’m not saying it will work on every cockerel, just that it has worked for me - I should add *so far*. When I come across that one who insists on attacking me anyway, he won’t last long.

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

Young cockerels/roosters can be jerks. They are just exactly like extremely hormonal human young men.

Many males (chickens and humans included) learn to moderate their behavior by the time they are young adults, which for chickens is around two years old.

If you search this site, you will find that very few humans are willing to wait a year for the hormone flare to abate, and re-home or otherwise cull their young rooster. You have to decide for yourself whether you want to tread lightly around him for a year or so, knowing that this may be his permanent disposition.

And if you do decide to "wait it out" and you are hatching chicks in the meantime, just know that you may be creating cockerels with bad dispositions too.

 

[arishoks]

A lot of people have recommended carrying him around and I would absolutely suggest that. They hate it. He will squirm and cry, but stay strong. You are the boss and he needs to understand this. Embarrassing him in front of his ladies a few times will help. He's also still pretty young, and like others said, hormonal. He will most likely mellow out with age, but carrying him around could help. It also helps to carry a big stick too, and to "gently" push him away if he's getting a little too aggressive. By gently I mean as hard as it takes to get him to leave you alone without hurting him. Name him golf ball or something.

 

[333113]

Young cockerels/roosters can be jerks. They are just exactly like extremely hormonal human young men.

Many males (chickens and humans included) learn to moderate their behavior by the time they are young adults, which for chickens is around two years old.

If you search this site, you will find that very few humans are willing to wait a year for the hormone flare to abate, and re-home or otherwise cull their young rooster. You have to decide for yourself whether you want to tread lightly around him for a year or so, knowing that this may be his permanent disposition.

 

[Nor-Cal Chickens]

Pick him up and carry him for a while like a football. Do this on a fairly regular basis and it should break him down