Rooster attacked for the first time

[GracePoultry]

I have a polish rooster who was born last summer but I’ve only had him for a few months. A few minutes ago I was carrying a hen across the yard and he came up behind my and attacked my ankles. I’ve been attacked by roosters before and this was very a very weak attempt and it was honestly hard to tell he had even done it. He is a very sweet boy, a little shy but has never attacked anyone or anything but this may be because he is young. I wasn’t quite sure what to do so I just grabbed him and gently held him to the ground for a few seconds and then let him go. Now I know I’m probably about to get 39847373 comments telling me to make soup, but killing this rooster is the absolute last resort. I’m looking for ideas that may have helped you calm down a rooster? And for all I know this could be the only time he does this but I doubt it. I just want to be prepared for if he does do it again so I know what I can do

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I have a polish rooster who was born last summer but I’ve only had him for a few months. A few minutes ago I was carrying a hen across the yard and he came up behind my and attacked my ankles. I’ve been attacked by roosters before and this was very a very weak attempt and it was honestly hard to tell he had even done it. He is a very sweet boy, a little shy but has never attacked anyone or anything but this may be because he is young. I wasn’t quite sure what to do so I just grabbed him and gently held him to the ground for a few seconds and then let him go. Now I know I’m probably about to get 39847373 comments telling me to make soup, but killing this rooster is the absolute last resort. I’m looking for ideas that may have helped you calm down a rooster? And for all I know this could be the only time he does this but I doubt it. I just want to be prepared for if he does do it again so I know what I can do

My uneducated guess is that he was triggered by you carrying one of his hens. Does he get twitchy when you pet or otherwise handle them?

 

[GracePoultry]

My uneducated guess is that he was triggered by you carrying one of his hens. Does he get twitchy when you pet or otherwise handle them?

I don’t handle him often, but he does not like to be held, although he does tolerate it. So he will fidget quite a bit when being held

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I don’t handle him often, but he does not like to be held, although he does tolerate it. So he will fidget quite a bit when being held

Oh, I wasn't very clear! I actually meant when you handle the girls, not him. Some males seem to think that you become another rooster mating his ladies, or some such. At any rate, they don't like to see it.

 

[GracePoultry]

Oh, I wasn't very clear! I actually meant when you handle the girls, not him. Some males seem to think that you become another rooster mating his ladies, or some such. At any rate, they don't like to see it.

Ah ok! He does get twitchy when I handle the girls, and does that weird side step thing towards me sometimes but has never actually done anything to me until today. The hen I was holding is one he can see but doesn’t have access to so do you think that might be a contribution?

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Ah ok! He does get twitchy when I handle the girls, and does that weird side step thing towards me sometimes but has never actually done anything to me until today. The hen I was holding is one he can see but doesn’t have access to so do you think that might be a contribution?

I'm just quoting what I've learned! But it seems a possibility. You can maybe think of it as a good quality (protective of the hens) demonstrated very badly!

 

[GracePoultry]

I'm just quoting what I've learned! But it seems a possibility. You can maybe think of it as a good quality (protective of the hens) demonstrated very badly!

Ooh hopefully thanks!

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Ooh hopefully thanks!

This might give you some useful insights:

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

 

[Folly's place]

@Beekissed has a good article on this site about trying to reform difficult roosters, look it up. There are lots of methods from different people about reforming roosters, do some reading soonest.
Never have any of the techniques described turned an attack bird into a good boy here! If small children or visitors of any age come onto your property, it's not only you who are at risk, and it's your liability involved.
IMO a good rooster recognizes the difference between the giant who brings food and actual risks to his flock. When he's stalking you he isn't doing his job!
This is your first rooster? It's a learning experience, most of us kept our first obnoxious rooster way to long, and then we tried to rehab another one or three, and then many of us decided that only the best get to stay.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

There's a thread going on right now about this 'i don't like going outside any more...'
Mary