Rooster Attacking

[Callender Girl]

In a straight-run group of Cochin Bantams, I ended up with two roos. One was clearly more aggressive and was rehomed to someone with a rooster flock. The remaining rooster suddenly took his job as flock protector too seriously and would attack me at every opportunity.

I tried everything suggested then developed my own strategy. Every time I see Billy Boy, even if he doesn't see me, I run directly at him as fast as I can. I chase him until he runs underneath something and hides. I often make threatening noises and pull my arms into a position that mimics a rooster who's trying to look intimidating.

At first, Billy just seemed confused. Now, he either believes I am the dominant flock member or that I am just plain crazy. But, there are no more attacks on me.

On the other hand, passersby on the main road likely believe Billy's second assessment of me.

 

[OrpingtonHoneybee]

There's a lot of pure luck involved -- getting a bird with the right genetics, etc.

But the thing is to maintain the boys' respect for you. They should get out of your way and not think of you as part of the flock to either be put under his discipline or to be challenged for flock leadership.

Like with most animals repetition is key. Pick rooster up as soon as he goes after you, then carry him around. as you do your chicken chores. You MUST do this EVERY time he attacks. You will break cycle after a few weeks, when he associates chicken chores with his behavior. Everyone hates chores, roosters included. Aggressive roosters protect hens better. However, the trick is to direct aggression back to protecting flock. Hence, it is so worth your time in his training. Like most animals, training is key. Best of luck. Keep us posted.

 

[3KillerBs]

Like with most animals repetition is key. Pick rooster up as soon as he goes after you, then carry him around. as you do your chicken chores. You MUST do this EVERY time he attacks. You will break cycle after a few weeks, when he associates chicken chores with his behavior. Everyone hates chores, roosters included. Aggressive roosters protect hens better. However, the trick is to direct aggression back to protecting flock. Hence, it is so worth your time in his training. Like most animals, training is key. Best of luck. Keep us posted.

If a rooster is attacking me determinedly enough that I can actually pick him up I'll carry him right over to the place where I have my designated "broomstick" leaning against a fence and cull him right then and there.

I'll pick up an overly-curious bird that's trying to get out the door and carry him or her around a bit, but I have zero-tolerance for attacks.

 

[Dakota8472]

Hi all!
I have an 8 month old Barred Rock Rooster who has been great up until this weekend… We went away and I had my parents come and look after the animals.
He was attacking them when they let him out of the coop in the mornings and would threaten if they went into the runs to feed.
Since I’ve been back he hasn’t done anything with me, has been completely normal.
He has met them numerous times as they have house sat quite a bit, so any ideas as to why he would do this with someone else and not me?

next time u go out of town maybe have your relatives feed them with u for a week prior.

 

[Dakota8472]

If a rooster is attacking me determinedly enough that I can actually pick him up I'll carry him right over to the place where I have my designated "broomstick" leaning against a fence and cull him right then and there.

I'll pick up an overly-curious bird that's trying to get out the door and carry him or her around a bit, but I have zero-tolerance for attacks.

Im going that way myself. to many innocent customers/guests where i am. I will try to rehome first, but roos are really hard to get rid of. cost me two laying hens to not cull my last porcelain bantam roo.

 

[MRD4]

Like with most animals repetition is key. Pick rooster up as soon as he goes after you, then carry him around. as you do your chicken chores. You MUST do this EVERY time he attacks. You will break cycle after a few weeks, when he associates chicken chores with his behavior. Everyone hates chores, roosters included. Aggressive roosters protect hens better. However, the trick is to direct aggression back to protecting flock. Hence, it is so worth your time in his training. Like most animals, training is key. Best of luck. Keep us posted.

He has been very behaved since thankfully!! I haven’t had any more incidents! Not even a threaten. Hoping it was just a hormone surge week lol.
I will have no tolerance if it comes back again though, I have too many nice young cockerels that come through and deserve a chance to deal with this one continually being a naughty boy!!!

 

[YourChickHasAPastyButt]

I've noticed our cockerel is becoming a bit of a jerk lately, but more so after my wife or daughter go in and display a bit of fear during the day. If it's just me dealing with him on the weekend, he already knows to stay in line, but somedays when I get home from work and my daughter has been in the run earlier in the day, (I know she tends to step back from him if he challenges and I've told her to advance instead), he will try his nonsense with me when step in. I'm going to start picking him up and trying what MRD4 suggests, although he is by far the hardest bird in there to get a hold of. Agile little bugger. Maybe today when I get home I'll put some gloves on and let him try to nail my hand as I pick him up. Sounds like a party!