Rooster aggression

[vtchickenlady]

Know what you mean about grandchildren. I had my one year old grandaughter in my arms this past May and she had on stripped leggings. My roo must have thought she was some kind of strange bird. We had to fight him off something fierce and I had no choice but to run away. Well, for him that did it. He was king after that. Now he goes after me when he thinks he can. I love him tho, and he is wonderul w/ the girls, so getting rid is not an option. We have winter here too so I'm hoping things will change. Last winter I even rubbed Vasaline on his comb and wattle. He won't even let me near him now. We'll see how things go when he's cold and frostbitten. When he sees me coming with the warm oatmeal maybe he'll change his tune. In the mean time, he can occassionally get re-acquainted w/ Mr. Broom.

 

[JestersEye]

We're in pretty much the same boat with a very large, mean rooster. He is a splash Orpington. I've been trying the football hold for a while now, and although his attacks have lessened somewhat, he still blind-sides you if he can pull it off. I used to have awful bruises all over my legs, all the way up to the tops of my knees from him. He's only a year old, thank God, so his spurs aren't sharp yet. He's truly an impressive fighter, but he will attack anyone. One time, he went after my 6-year old nephew when he ran into the coop yard after me before I could stop him, but luckily he didn't hurt him that badly.

I can handle the rooster better than my DH and my sons, since he seems to know I will "discipline" him for his bad behavior. I've started training the rest of the family how to handle him, but he still takes "pot shots". We don't kill any of our chickens, and don't really want to start. We got the chickens for my son to show in the 4-H, and were hoping that his impressive size would be a plus. However, we had to put a sign on his cage at the fairgrounds to warn people that he bites! He nipped quite a few handlers, and tries to bite me when I pick him up for his "punishment/training".

I do just about all the things people have mentioned, but I don't know if he will EVER learn to be a nice bird. I guess maybe, we will just have to keep him to protect the flock, and let the boys continue to carry their toy swords and broomsticks when they go out to do their chores. My sons are 15 and 13, and they like to beat on each other with foam SCA swords. They've now adapted this practice for "rooster defense". I don't even think they've actually hit the roo, but having something to defend themselves with makes them feel safer in case he sneaks up on them. I had to kick him away from me once, though... didn't even faze him.

 

[daklander]

Quote:
Way too many roosters for the number of hens. IMHO. That many will likely over breed the hens and could do some damage.
Should be about 10 to 1 or even a bit sparser.

 

[chickiemomma4]

Quote:
Way too many roosters for the number of hens. IMHO. That many will likely over breed the hens and could do some damage.
Should be about 10 to 1 or even a bit sparser.

Yes, I agree. We are building pens now to start seperating in groups. They have just come into breeding and some of the hens have just started laying. I bought an assortment back in April and now the time has come to seperate even though they get along pretty good. Thanks for your input.

 

[Pop]

Here's my method. I carry a squirt bottle full of water. Any act of aggression results in a thorough wetting of the feathers. If he retreats to the hen house I follow. It's worked for me on 2 out of 3, the oven cured the 3rd. After a few wettings they respect the bottle and the old codger that carries it.

 

[The Zoo]

If my rooster gets aggressive with me (he runs from me now) he'll get the boot, a hose or a broom. I don't want to get rid of him (he's VERY pretty) so I'm hoping he stays the way he is.

 

[daklander]

Quote:
Way too many roosters for the number of hens. IMHO. That many will likely over breed the hens and could do some damage.
Should be about 10 to 1 or even a bit sparser.

Yes, I agree. We are building pens now to start seperating in groups. They have just come into breeding and some of the hens have just started laying. I bought an assortment back in April and now the time has come to seperate even though they get along pretty good. Thanks for your input.

I should have mentioned that with that unbalanced ratio there's more competition so the aggressiveness is going to be at a higher level too.

 

[chickiemomma4]

Quote:
Yes, I agree. We are building pens now to start seperating in groups. They have just come into breeding and some of the hens have just started laying. I bought an assortment back in April and now the time has come to seperate even though they get along pretty good. Thanks for your input.

I should have mentioned that with that unbalanced ratio there's more competition so the aggressiveness is going to be at a higher level too.

We are working on building more yards. My roosters are not fighting. I took the 2 trouble makers out. I am the only one having a problem with Mr. Fancy Pants and I think he is getting the idea now. Just needed a little tallking to.

 

[JestersEye]

Quote:
Hmmm, I had heard of using a spray bottle recently... Maybe I should switch to that technique? It might be easier and less time consuming than carrying the SOB around with me, plus it's hard to do some chores one-handed. And he's SO darn big and heavy! I already have some spray bottles, so I think I'll start trying that tomorrow. We'll see if that makes him gain some respect for the "hands that feed him"!

 

[Trix68]

OMG. All of your posts and stories are soooo funny!!! Thanks so much for all the suggestions and sharing your experiences. It gives me hope. The broom method is working for now, treats also. I now go after him first with the broom in hand, I have yet to use it so thus far it seems to be working, for me that is, as for the little ones we will have to see what transpires.
Again thanks for the laughs
T