Rooster Behavior Change

This may be considered normal behavior for cockerels coming into their hormones, but it doesn't mean it's acceptable. Misbehavior, aggression toward humans, must be disciplined on the spot. Like dogs, cockerels and roosters need established boundaries, and you are the one to lay down the law.

It's not a matter of defending yourself. You need to establish yourself as flock leader and caretaker. You are the alpha in the flock. Your cockerels and roosters are subordinate. You need to behave with self confidence around your chickens, and if you're afraid, the roosters will pick up on it and push you around. Your attitude has a lot to do with how your roosters behave.

Roosters and cockerels are expected to move immediately out of your way when you're walking through the run. Never walk around a rooster. Make him be the one to move. If he refuses to budge or if he comes at you aggressively, you must immobilize him and not release him until he relaxes. Discipline, not punishment is absolutely essential to maintaining polite roosters. Any males that don't respond to discipline are candidates for rehoming or soup.

Don't listen to people who insist you must prevent a rooster from mating in front of you. That's interfering with his role in the flock and it will only make matters worse. Ignore him as long as he's fulfilling his role as flock protector and mating hens. If he misbehaves or hurts the hens, then you should step in with the necessary discipline. Your goal is mutual trust - you have your role and he has his, and each of you respects the other.

If you are too fearful of your roosters and are unable to respond with the necessary discipline, then you probably shouldn't try to keep roosters in your flock.
That was incredibly well said.
 

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