Rooster agressive????

[CluckerCarrolls]

Being only 3 years with chickens sometimes I feel like I know nothing. But being 70 human years, I know something! I wasn't planning on a rooster but ended up with a beautiful Swedish Flower the day after his first crow. That was his death certificate where he had been raised as he "was supposed" to be a hen. So he joined my two two year old hens who had been given to me about 2 weeks earlier. I had a fear of roosters, knowing nothing about them and their spurs and attitudes. About a week had passed when he first pecked at my hand as I was filling their food pan. Without thinking I raised my voice, yelled no and slapped him on the beak fairly hard. I am usually calm and soft spoken and move gently around them. He looked at me with fear, jumped back and took off. He has never acted that way towards me again. He moves out of the way when I get close. Now two years later with his 4" spurs I am happy he has a healthy fear of me. Twice he has started to be mean or pushy to one of the girls and I yelled at him the same way. The first time he thought he was going to ignore me and I made such a racket and threats and threw a dirt clod at him. Picked up a second one which I didn't have to throw cause he backed off immediately. Do not let him get away with his alpha behavior! Idk but you may have already let him think he can get away with that behavior and are going to have a fight on your hands. Good luck breaking the bad and dangerous behavior of your adored brat! View attachment 2256892Sarge

Thank you. I'll try to keep him in line.

 

[CluckerCarrolls]

@CluckerCarrolls all the advice given to you is sound. Use it. Used it for all of my roosters and have only had one mean boy. He went to freezer camp because he couldn't respect my boundaries. You are flock boss; let him know that.

I will thanks!

 

[CluckerCarrolls]

As to his behavior with the hens. Unless there is bloodshed, don't interfere. He's young, and clumsy. He'll get better in time, and so will the hens. He's got to train them some too. They have to obey him when he crows a warning. They have to get behind him, if there's danger. He's expected to break up squabbles. If they won't squat for him, he's going to breed with them, regardless. Things will be fine, given some time.

Ok thank you

 

[CluckerCarrolls]

@CluckerCarrolls all the advice given to you is sound. Use it. Used it for all of my roosters and have only had one mean boy. He went to freezer camp because he couldn't respect my boundaries. You are flock boss; let him know that.

I will thanks

 

[CluckerCarrolls]

Thank you for clarifying. Ok, the biting can usually be corrected by picking him up, smacking him with your free hand when he bites, and yelling at him. Rinse, repeat. It takes a few times, but around the 3rd time you do this, he should do better. He's at that age where he's got more "teenage" hormones, than good sense. As to dancing around you, scooch him away with your foot, or better yet, get yourself a "rooster stick". A broom handle, a small tree limb, a piece of 1 x 3 lumber, a plastic kids' baseball bat will all work. The object isn't to hurt him, but to extend your reach, and teach him to respect your boundaries. When you go in, walk straight up to him, and get him moving out of your way. Tap him on the butt, if need be. Keep him moving away from you for a minute, or two. Don't overtire him, in this heat.

Now go do your normal coop chores. Fill feeders, waterers, etc. Make him hang back some. Don't let him run up to you, or the feeders when you fill them. The hens can approach you. He may not. I tend to make my roosters keep about 2 feet away from me. It's an invisible circle, that is MY space, and the roosters are not to invade my space, without invitation. Swat him on the butt, with your rooster stick, if he invades your space, or doesn't move oout of your way. When I sit outside with them, my roosters approach, and I call them. Only then can they come right up to me. Do this for at least a week.

With a cockerel that age, it usually only takes 2 - 3 days, and they know the drill. Human steps in, they get out of the way. I do this for a full week, even though they're doing good in a couple days. It seems to reinforce the training, and I usually don't ever have any issues again.

Thank you

 

[CleoInABowl]

Welcome!
Glad your cockerel believed you and has turned out well, wonderful.
Mary

Me too cause they can be a holes & hurt you bad! Fortunately I just reacted and on the very first time he started his rooster control mode.

 

[CluckerCarrolls]

Everyone, thank you so much! I will try to the best of my ability to use your advice to correct his behavior. I will update if anything changes.

 

[CluckerCarrolls]

Ok, update. He has been an absolute sweetie to me but no improvement in his behavior toward the hens. Because of this, he will be moving to a friend's farm where he will have 5 acres to roam and 20 hens to keep him company. It was the best decision for him and the girls. And a bonus, I can visit whenever I want. Thank you everyone for the help.