Rooster Behavior?

[chixcoop]

Do all roosters become mean at around 5 month and stay that way? Our 5 month barred rock roo is getting aggressive, and we already have arranged for him to be killed. He is charging me. I have been reading that it is best to not show violence towards roosters when they are aggressive towards you, but I went out there today, he first mounted with a couple hens in front of me (and speaking of which, does that mean that I will get eggs soon?) then he puffed up his feathers and charged, so I kicked him, and a couple more times, because he kept charging! Eventually he stopped but is this alright to do? I am willing to kick him whenever he shows aggression, and if that means not having the cuddly rooster, if there even is a thing, I'm fine with that. Because we have two roosters, we were going to kill the aggressive rooster, and let the submissive rooster (who still charges) have a chance. Is that a good idea? However, today when I let him out he was limping. So I don't want to get rid of the aggressive rooster, in hopes of the other rooster being a little bit better, but his foot does not heal!

P.S. We may still not let him be killed if I can find a good answer. I really don't want to kill it!

 

[keesmom]

Having to constantly watch your back will quickly take away the fun of having chickens. Is there any reason why you need a rooster at all? If this is your first flock you may want to start with all hens.

There are many rooster rehab threads on this site. You could try those methods but IMO you will never be able to completely trust those males again. Not all cockerels/roosters are jerks. Many well behaved males are sent to the freezer every year (I have many that are processed) so I do not waste time with an aggressive one. I would rather have one that's smart enough to realize humans are not a threat.

 

[chixcoop]

Don't rooster protect the flock? I live near the woods, and I dont want an animal eating them!

 

[dekel18042]

Don't rooster protect the flock? I live near the woods, and I dont want an animal eating them!

To certain extent, but if you don't want a rooster, a hen will take over watch duties.
There are nice roosters out there. So many in fact that it doesn't make sense to keep a nasty rooster while nice roosters head to freezer camp because there are too many. You might just have to ask around until you find someone has too many roosters and is looking for homes for some that are well behaved.

 

[keesmom]

Don't rooster protect the flock? I live near the woods, and I dont want an animal eating them!

If you free range this will happen whether or not you have a rooster. Sometimes you will lose one or two, sometimes you will lose them all.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Your roosters are challenging you and are winning, I throw a blue plastic coffee can scoop at mine, when ever I feel they are being disrespectful, they quickly learn to respect the coffee can, sometimes I follow it up with a good chase. You have to be dominant and anyone in your family, you can also use a plastic rake. Stand your ground and dominate, or get rid of them. Some roosters just give it a try, others are in it until the end, you need to figure out what kind you have, I said it before I have eleven roosters, nobody messes with me, they stay out of my way, when they ignore me I leave them alone, someone mates in my presence I put a stop to it. You have to understand how a rooster thinks and meet him where he understands. No roosters are hurt in my techniques, only plastic blue coffee can.