Rooster Attacked me?

[HenTea]

Today my almost 1 year old Rooster attacked me. He has always been friendly, it was completely out of the blue. He has never attacked the kids who almost never go to the coop. I am out there getting eggs 5 days a week. My husband dose the rest, most of the time. ( When needed I will feed and water normally dont need too) I do give them treats often. I am at a loss on my he suddenly attacked me today. He got me good. Almost broke the sink though my thick pants. ( He would be in the pot if he had put a hole in them. Band new pants! Not sure why there is no hole in them) I have a big lump on my leg. Yes this is my 1st time being attacked by a rooster. Yes its a little funny. I did not back down I give him a few warning swings with my foot. I backed him into the corner. I was not about to let him win. The hens where up set. I hung around for about 10 min in the coop after. Yes they were all inside it snowed all day and they refuse to go out into the covered run if its snowing. I have 14 hens to one Rooster. He is gentle with the hens. As a chick he was so friendly. He would come right out of the brooder and sit on you or clime on you. He was always wanting our attention. This is why we kept him. Any ideas on why he attacked me today?

Thanks so much, hope you got a little laugh.

 

[nuthatched]

Because you let him come up to you and sit on you and climb on you, he now thinks you're his equal and he's trying to dominate you.
He wasn't being friendly, he was testing limits.
And with spring hormones rushing in, it will likely get worse and very rarely do they get nice again.
IMO, get rid of him or send him to the freezer before he hurts you or your kids.

 

[Coops Dad]

His hormones are kicking in. Get another rooster and dispose of this one in the most environmentally friendly way possible- to paraphrase one of my favorite scriptures, "Arise, HenTea; kill and eat!"

 

[kcan2]

You might stop offering treats until after his spring rush hormones calm down. There is a chance your rooster may think you are tidbitting for his hens, which is not ok in his mind. If you still want to offer treats, give them to him, and let him be the one to offer them to the hens. It's a long shot, but may be worth trying if you still want to give him the benefit of the doubt!

 

[ChicFil- A]

You might stop offering treats until after his spring rush hormones calm down. There is a chance your rooster may think you are tidbitting for his hens, which is not ok in his mind. If you still want to offer treats, give them to him, and let him be the one to offer them to the hens. It's a long shot, but may be worth trying if you still want to give him the benefit of the doubt!

Great advice!

 

[ChicFil- A]

I actually read an article just this past week, I believe MsK wrote it on Rooster behavior and it is the best on roosters it made perfect sence.

 

[agarnp]

My RIR did this to me while I walked in front of him and the hens were all around me b/c they new i had treat for them , he jumped me from behind hard - -He's been good in every other way and beautiful. Now I just carry a stick and make sure he doesn't walk behind me. Ive learned alot--- once they are the flock master they will keep the order. He has grown to his full size and has big spurs so I am very watchful. Now I place down a treat I make sure I am not among them...I leave it on the ground and let them out of their pen to find it. It kind of takes the fun out of having chickens but I respect it. Hope it doesnt happen again but if he even attemps it-- he'll be first to go to my pot

 

[Mrs. K]

This happens sometimes, really without rhyme or reason. This is why one needs to be aware with a rooster. Friendly behavior often indicates a lack of respect. And they often are opportunist, I am betting that you were turned away from him, and he thought he could get in a sneak attack.

This is not about how you treated him, or how you walked or what you are wearing. This is just a hormonal aggression that almost always gets worse...MUCH WORSE. They get better at attacking through practice.

DO NOT LET the kids go down there. He will try it on them almost for sure. Eventually he will try it on your husband.

It really can ruin the whole chicken experience. I have never understood why people think they need to be abused and punished. Often times people will say, I love this bird... but really he is not that bird any more.

Cull him.

Mrs K

 

[5Australorpasaures]

Because you let him come up to you and sit on you and climb on you, he now thinks you're his equal and he's trying to dominate you.
He wasn't being friendly, he was testing limits.
And with spring hormones rushing in, it will likely get worse and very rarely do they get nice again.
IMO, get rid of him or send him to the freezer before he hurts you or your kids.

 

[5Australorpasaures]

KIDS! Why are we still talking?