Rooster behavior

[CoopBoots]

Any other advice or behaviors I should be looking to see?

I think the posts in this thread cover it pretty well! Please don't get overwhelmed with all the different behaviors he may or may not show. Whether or not he shows any of these, it's easiest to just implement behaviors of your own to keep you safe. Here's what I do with my bad boy, just as an example:

1. I never turn my back to him. He's also not allowed to sneak to my back

2. I don't get too close to him while I'm crouching down. It makes me look weak and also I like my face how it is

3. I always know where he is, regardless of proximity. No surprises

4. If I have to do something the girls are going to yell about, he gets separated first (so he can't try to rescue screaming damsels while I'm just trying to treat them for mites, lol. He actually almost got me last time, lesson learned)

5. I will use a light walking stick or broom if I need to move him around much (say, catching him for his own treatment. He'll fight it at first, then eventually submit and try to run. That's when I feel pretty safe catching him by hand since he's realized flogging my stick doesn't do anything)

This sounds involved, but I just treat him like I don't trust him. Because I don't. Roosters exist to be the boss and to protect, and I'm very clearly his direct competition. Not every rooster is a bad boy like this, but a little prevention goes a long way. For the record, I adore my rooster and he brings me a lot of joy. But I've also felt this way about every other rooster I've encountered. If the wrong circumstance arises, I think ANY rooster could attack, even with a perfect track record. I accept this as part of their nature, although I always hope for better. And I'm not saying you SHOULD do any of what I do, but these behaviors allow me to feel safe and enjoy him and my hens.

 

[Folly's place]

Been there, done that. I'm over it!
Our cockerels and adult roosters either behave well, or they are gone. Most often difficulties develop fairly early in their lives, sometimes even before puberty. One little beast starting flaring and attacking at eight weeks of age!
Once in a while we've had an adult rooster decide that it was time to attack, and that didn't work out well for that individual. And it's clear how things are going, when you have experience with multiple cockerels over time. Getting that experience happens to most of us, often starting with that first less than idea individual. Ours was a little bantam who never gave up his attacks, even when we carried a weapon to fend him off.
Mary