Rooster Attack! Advice?

[CMV]

Quote:
I use a butterfly net that I have hanging on the coop just for this purpose. My roo starts running as soon as he sees it. If I need to catch him I get him with that and then pick him up.

The rooster needs to stay away from the grand kids. Kids frequently are the targets for an attack. And little kids are just the right height to lose an eye.

Whether a rooster can be rehabilitated has been a hotly debated discussion on many posts here. The general consensus is that human aggressive roosters will always be human aggressive and no amount of rehab is going to change that. The other consensus is that there are many really great roos out there looking for homes, so keeping a nasty one is just dangerous and counter productive.

Good luck.

 

[sewchick]

I have not had very good luck with black copper marans roosters. They are mean. I have a new one that is still young. He will turn mean. I am pretty sure of it. Seems the breed is a little mean. The hens are easy going.

I had a bcm roo last year and I would have to grab his legs and hold him upside down for awhile until he would calm down. I could hear him coming up behind me and I knew he would try to attack me. I know it might seem a little mean but it's better him than me. That first rooster got on my head once. Geez that hurt a little. Darn thing. I almost culled it then and there but he was great to his hens he got a pardon that day. He finally got the idea every time he got near I would grab his legs and a couple of times he wore my boot. He did manage to get me a couple of times before I started grabbing his legs. He was respectful after that. Personally I will not tolerate it. If I cannot manage the rooster I will cull it. I don't like to do that but I don't like to get attacked either. I understand it would be hard for you since it is a pet. For me they are just money and food. I don't abuse them but I don't allow them to attack me either. I hope you find an answer. The best chickens I have are the silkies. They are like cats. Always want to be at my feet or in my lap if I sit on the chopping block. The chopping block is for wood.

I am going to sell some bcm eggs...and if it don't pan out I will give them away.

 

[33yardbirds]

I practice animal psycology, one strike, DEAD. I don't pass on a bad animal to someone else.

 

[greathorse]

In my opinion most bad roosters are created. In almost every case that I here about a rooster gone bad it is someone that has made a pet of them only to have them turn. If I handle my roosters it only has to do with moving them to a different pen, marking them somehow or any other management issue.

If you go to the pen make sure you walk to and through your rooster. Make him move every time. If ye doesnt give him a boost with your foot. I dont kick per se but I launch himi a good one, if he comes back for more remain calm and boost again. My roosters move away from me much like the jr. roosters move away from the head fella. Leave your hands off your birds and you will have more respect from them in my opinion.
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It will not take a rooster long to know he cant push you around. If you have kids or grandkids and the rooster is outside that is a differnt story. Any rooster can get bad and chase a kid thougb so they really shouldtn mix anyway

 

[Yazzo]

Taming and training an aggressive rooster is so much easier than many people realize. It may take some time, but I have never, EVER had to resort to culling a rooster. I wrote a page about it: https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=63850-the-definite-guide-to-roosters. I hope it helps.



Quote:
I have to disagree with that. I actually act like the lead rooster around them. I sometimes make dominant rooster sounds when I'm around them. lol If you have animals, learn from them, listen to them, and speak their language if you want to get along with them.
Roosters do NOT just try to pick fights with other roosters either. If you act like a scared rooster though, that'll get you into trouble.

 

[Carols Clucks]

For your healths sake, I would not keep that roo, he just is not worth it.

My mom wanted a new roo, which she picked with this last batch of chicks. But by 5 months it was obvious he was going to be a mean one. we never could tame him even from a tiny chick. Mom is 87 and a mean roo is just not going to be okay.

We have a fabulous OLD roo. He has always been friendly-and thus is still here after two younger roos. He was fed bread and treats by hand, but was not really a lap pet.

I still pick him up regularly, at this point he is so used to it he pretty much stands and waits for me to grab him. I feed him some grain while I hold him and walk around (in front of his ladies) I pet him a bit, set him down and give him lots of grain for him and his gals. We have never had to worry about turning our back to him or him going after a guest. He is more gentle about eating grain from your hand than the hens, guests tend to feed him over the hens for that reason. He is the best roo we have had for a long time, probably not a typical roo.

If you are worried about him attacking you while you decide what to do with him, a nice corn broom to walk around with is good to push a mean roo away with out hurting him or yourself

 

[peanutgallery]

Thanks everyone for your advice...

Just as I though when I went out yesterday afternoon my roo was eyeing me. Reading all your posts gave me a little more courage BUT I had a plastic leaf rake with me. As I began feeding treats to my girls, I noticed he decided to eat too. NOT! I didn't touch him but brought the rake his way and said uh, uh Forest. Then he took off and I took off after him with the rake at my side. I chased him around the coop in the pen a couple of times. He started squawking! But he kept running with me right behind him.

I then finished feeding the ladies and when I got to the door, he was UNDER the coop! Guess he was scared. LOL

I then walked my two grandkids home. I had explained to them that I do NOT want them going in the chicken yard without an adult as Forest is changing. I explained why he is changing and why it was so important for them to listen to me about this. I also explained this to their dad so he is aware and makes sure they don't go without us knowing about it.

Anyway on my way back I decided I was gonna enter the yard (pen) again just to see what Forest would do. Hahaha - - he kept his distance! He backed up away from me. Although this is the object...now I'm worrying that it won't be good if he will need any physical attention. Guess I will have to face that if and when the time comes.

But thanks for giving me the courage to confront Forest and let him know I was the boss and he wasn't. I know I may have to do this again but I'm ready now.

Oh I forgot to say, about the second time around the coop, the ladies joined our little run also. But Forest was the one squawking!

I will take advice and watch to see if he is subdued or continues to try....I agree with having grandkids, I would not want to worry about them. The dang bad thing is he's such a pretty roo. And if I can figure out how to post a photo, I will post one of him.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
My adult roo is not aggressive in any way, but he does not like to be handled. When I need to put my hands on him for any reason, like for his weekly health checks, I do it at night. After they have gone to roost I go into the coop and get him. Bring him back up to the house and do what I need to do. He's as docile as a lamb.

 

[easttxchick]

Peanutgallery-Good for you!

Don't let your guard down, though. He'll act all innocent for a while and when you least expect it, he'll have another go at you, most likely.
Be consistent with him and hopefully, he'll get the message!

 

[Biochick]

I've also had some trouble with my BCM roo. My new trick is the spray bottle. I set him up the first day, I carried the bottle under my arm kind of hidden(I want him to think it comes from me not the bottle). When he got to close I let him have it in the face from under my arm. I had it on stream and when he backed off so did I. He really didn't like it and left me alone for a few days. Now every couple of days I arm myself with my spray bottle and test him. I use the bottle lightly because I don't want him to think this is just water and I'm not scared. So far this has worked for me.