Rooster becoming aggressive

[kacappi]

Well chicken n dumplings it is then. I appreciate the honesty and your right he is taking the joy away. We are still learning this is our first flock and we do want to expand so we will try another rooster. Is this common?

 

[bobbi-j]

I can't say if it's "common". It happens with roosters sometimes. The last several roosters I had were great birds. They were not pets, but they did stay out of my way when I went out to the chickens. Sometimes it was frustrating because they'd herd the hens away so it was hard to get a good look at them if I wanted one. The first one was a Brahma rooster, the next was his son, and the last was his grandson. The first two died in predator attacks, the last one I found dead under the roost one morning. He was just a year old. So, this spring I'm going to order some chicks of several breeds and hope that the one breed I'm looking at for a rooster will give me a nice gentle one. I'm hoping for a Blue Laced Red Wyandotte rooster to lead my flock, because they are supposed to be a heavier breed and are also pretty. We'll see. I think I'm going to get straight run birds of all the breeds I'm looking at and hope for at least a couple of hens of each breed. Speaking of breed, it can matter. Not always, but there are some that are known to be more easy going than others. Brahmas, like I mentioned. I believe Buff Orpingtons are also a good gentle breed. As Mrs. K says, roosters are a crap shoot. You don't know what you're going to get until they mature.

 

[Mrs. K]

However, I do think that a rooster raised up in a flock under mature birds is less aggressive that a rooster that is raised with just flock mates.

My theory is that the older birds thump some manners into them. Where as when they are raised with just hatch mates, the roosters will quickly out grow the pullets, are the biggest thing in the flock and can get their way all the time. They just believe they are tougher than anything else in the world including people.

Ask around, people often have a really nice rooster, so nice that they just didn't cull him right away. That is the rooster you want.

Mrs K

 

[ChickNanny13]

Now i dont know a lot about roosters but try this:
When ever he starts puffing up, you do the same and look him in the eyes. And he might back off.
Another thing might be squirting him with a water gun or squirt bottle when he charges.
I dont know a hole lot but i hope this helps

Agree, SQUIRT BOTTLE works great for correction purposes, one that squirts a stream as far as possible. When your Roo starts to approach you with that look in his eye, squirt him. He'll learn the bottle & keep his distance. Works great for my Pullets, when they get too close to one side of your property (fenced but neighbor's 7 dogs). There are times I even use the garden hose, thing is they know they don't belong close to the fence line but just get curious. I walk out the door & if they see me pick up the squirt bottle or hose, they beeline away from the fence. Smart chickens, like kids got to keep testing us....

 

[Pork Pie]

Agree, SQUIRT BOTTLE works great for correction purposes, one that squirts a stream as far as possible. When your Roo starts to approach you with that look in his eye, squirt him. He'll learn the bottle & keep his distance. Works great for my Pullets, when they get too close to one side of your property (fenced but neighbor's 7 dogs). There are times I even use the garden hose, thing is they know they don't belong close to the fence line but just get curious. I walk out the door & if they see me pick up the squirt bottle or hose, they beeline away from the fence. Smart chickens, like kids got to keep testing us....

Agree totally - i've used a pressure plant sprayer in the past - works like a dream!

CT

 

[kacappi]

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[dmanhefner]

Whoop him, when he is 2 and the spurs are 2" long you will be sorry. Always roosters on craigslist that wont be as aggresive and you can find one that isnt sick, just quarantine it. You may be able get it free. RIR are notorious for being people aggresive. They are good to eat.