Rooster attacking my husband and I…

[AmberRose23]

I have a very handsome frizzle bantam Cochin who was very sweet but has become suddenly a monster. He attacks my husband and I daily when we feed him or the hens daily. Snacks or just walking around, doesn’t matter. Problem is, he’s a great rooster. He herds the girls in at night, tells them where the bugs are, escorts them to nesting boxes, gives them his snacks, not rough on them, keeps guard, he’s great. I also have a pack of teenage roosters I haven’t gotten rid of but he has no beef with them, hasn’t even tried to get into a scuffle. Is that the problem? I have like 7 roosters right now, 6 teenage roosters (it’s a long story) and him. I don’t want to keep doing this. I don’t want to eat him either but I have a friend who will. I can’t with a good conscience release this little beastie out into the world. He was literally the best boy. I didn’t raise him, he came with the property from the folks who left him when they moved out. Should I liquidate roosters and it will stop? I am really attached to my spangled old english game bantam and my d Uccle bantam, so I would like to keep them. I have a sweet JG or a Americana as well who would make an okay replacement. TIA!

 

[HumbleAmerican]

I ate a dozen cockerels/roosters before I found one that was acceptable. He went for a swim in the water trough and I ate ten more before I found my current one.

I keep roosters because I like fertile eggs. Broody birds replacing my older hens is the ONLY way to go. If it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t have a roo.

There are articles about trying to tame behavior. I never had the patience, and don’t at all mind culling.

My advice: Cycle through the ones you want. If it works out, great! If not, stewing birds freeze well for winter months.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Sounds like you have at least four possible replacements for this "monster," an OEGM and a d'Uccle, a JG and an Ameracana. And six more teenagers that could also be potential replacements? An aggressive rooster can do you a serious injury, not to mention taking all the joy out of your chicken keeping. You know you can't rehome "this little beastie." Sounds like you know what you need to do, you just want to hear us tell you it's okay to do it.

Yes, it's okay to do it. He'll be delicious. Chicken math includes subtraction as well as addition.

 

[AmberRose23]

Sounds like you have at least four possible replacements for this "monster," an OEGM and a d'Uccle, a JG and an Ameracana. And six more teenagers that could also be potential replacements? An aggressive rooster can do you a serious injury, not to mention taking all the joy out of your chicken keeping. You know you can't rehome "this little beastie." Sounds like you know what you need to do, you just want to hear us tell you it's okay to do it.

Yes, it's okay to do it. He'll be delicious. Chicken math includes subtraction as well as addition.

My husband the former vegan is watching videos about how to tame him. He wants to hold him down and all that. I really don’t have any interest in chasing him and grabbing him forcing him into submission. I’ve already had to kick him and everything else, I don’t see how bullying him is going to remedy anything. I think he needs to move on.

 

[HumbleAmerican]

Chicken math includes subtraction as well as addition.

I’m stealing this

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I’m stealing this

You're welcome!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

My husband the former vegan is watching videos about how to tame him. He wants to hold him down and all that. I really don’t have any interest in chasing him and grabbing him forcing him into submission. I’ve already had to kick him and everything else, I don’t see how bullying him is going to remedy anything. I think he needs to move on.

Let him try, he might learn something.

 

[bobbi-j]

Even if your husband “tames” him (teaches the rooster not to attack him), he will still likely go after you. I’d stick him in the freezer and hope one of your others turns out better.

 

[Penpal]

The problem may be the sudden appearance of teenagers. Your king is worried about being dethroned and is seeing everyone as a possible competitor.

 

[Mrs. K]

You do have too many roosters. And that could be the problem. The more rooster/cockerels you have, the more problems you get.

Get the juveniles out of there and see how it goes.

Thing is, cockerels become different birds. It is not uncommon for people to love the bird he used to be, BUT THAT IS NO LONGER THE same bird.

Personally - I do not like being attacked. I don't keep them.

Animal husbandry is human adjustments to the flock for peace in the flock. You have to do something.

Mrs K