Rooster charging at me

[Bigbluefrog]

Glad you found a solution that worked for you. My rooster, RUG, flogged me once while I was picking up his hens to weigh them. He was my only breeder, the girls were making a fuss, he was doing his job - so he got a reprieve.

A week later, he flogged my wife while she was throwing scratch to the flock. He was culled as soon as I got home.

In both cases, we were spurred. Its not a clean wound, it bleeds profusely, and it aches for a while - surprisingly deep, and for us, bad places. I got it just above the ankle, she got it just below the knee. In both cases, deep soft tissue injuries. Healed up with reasonable care and good antibiotics, but the possibility of severe infection can't be dismissed - we all know where those feet have been.

Culling, for the protection of yourself and other visitors (who may not understand chicken behaviors, particularly) should be seriously and immediately considered if the behavior repeats. The table is the only good use for a Roo gone aggressive (at the age, I recommend stock, or sausage. a very long stewing, at minimum)

Thanks for the heads up- I won’t hesitate if it happens again.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Thanks for the heads up- I won’t hesitate if it happens again.

Sharing my mistakes, in hopes that others don't need to suffer them, in order to learn from them.

 

[bobbi-j]

The rooster was not hand raised. So that could be part of it.

Not necessarily. I have never hand raised a rooster. Several years ago, I started raising them this way:
When I recognize a cockerel, I start training. I will walk toward him, making him move. If he comes toward me, I will either stand my ground or again - back him up. If I want to get from Point A to Point B and the cockerel is in my way, I go straight to where I’m going and that bird needs to move. If he sneaks up behind me, I will turn and back him up. I have not had a human aggressive cockerel since I have started raising them this way.

 

[Redhead_Gardener]

update:
So it’s been a few days- I walk in the run and coop- no issues.
when free ranging - no issues
Although I haven’t worn red yet- I think the combination of red and the hen Squaking was triggering his attack mode. Big boy lives another day. And hopefully we figured out the issue- I do keep the birds locked up when we have company- they are trained to come when I call.
So it is easy to lock them up.
and when I say locked up- means a large enclosed safe yard with a solid enclosed run and coop. They are super spoiled.
Thanks Ladies for tips. I had my coffee with the hens this morning and big boy was just a meek rooster- and if he does charge I will be ready to catch him. Hope lumber goes down in price because I sure did want to build a new one. Ridiculous cost of things- I miss the good ol days when gas was less than a dollar! And lumber was affordable! Dreaming about my new coop design!

We are in the process of building a run. We have flooding and therefore have to raise the floor of the run. We are using landscape timbers bc the higher prices of lumber are not affecting landscape timbers. Also using pallets.

 

[Bigbluefrog]

Not necessarily. I have never hand raised a rooster. Several years ago, I started raising them this way:
When I recognize a cockerel, I start training. I will walk toward him, making him move. If he comes toward me, I will either stand my ground or again - back him up. If I want to get from Point A to Point B and the cockerel is in my way, I go straight to where I’m going and that bird needs to move. If he sneaks up behind me, I will turn and back him up. I have not had a human aggressive cockerel since I have started raising them this way.

That is what I do too. I walk directly through him and he always backs away. The charge happened when he was free ranging.

 

[Geena]

Personally I assume that my roosters will come at me if I were to grab a hen and she is squawking. Protecting their harem is instinctual and expected IMO. In order to completely avoid such confrontations, in each run I have a way to gate the rooster off before catching girls if necessary. Also I will sometimes just close the pop door after the rooster exits in the morning, as they are usually the first one out. Most often I will just take girls off the roost at night if I need to examine or move them.

 

[lunahills]

Sorry to hear you were hurt. Yes I would do the same. Actually been considering it- I read something about some Roosters can be corrected. So I will try that first- but am willing to put him down if need be.
He didn’t hurt me. I blocked his attack.
He is a good rooster as far as caring for the hens. He will sit with one as she lays her eggs. He will keep them together and will leave the flock to make sure all the hens are together.

This poultry raising has taught me I many things- one is don’t get too attached -
The rooster was not hand raised. So that could be part of it.

I have extremely limited knowledge of roosters but we did have one for a short time. He was also not hand raised and I realized quickly did not have his needs met (we had a small run and only one other hen). He was feisty with me but never hurt me. We rehomed him with friends who have 9 hens, and they regularly update me with photos. He’s a happy fellow now.
I’m trying to make several points, one being that I do believe some roosters can change if something environmental is causing their behavior. And the other being that a rooster who’s doing his job as the protector will not likely be a super friendly one. I agree you shouldn’t put up with being attacked, but if it were me I’d try changing some things first (try not wearing red, as silly as it sounds...I have heard chickens are attracted to it, and have personally had my hens try to peck my painted toes while wearing flip flops).

 

[Bigbluefrog]

Well today the rooster is done-
I was just walking down the drive way and he charged me again.
No red and no hen squaking.
He still doesn’t have spurs but I can’t have a rooster attacking me walking in my own yard. I put him down.
sad but it is what needs to be done.
I am the care giver and feed them, clean the coop if I can’t safely walk in my own yard. I was very generous in timing. Allowed the first incident, allowed a second incident- and a third! The forth took me by surprise and my husband took care of the rooster.
I think I will avoid them for awhile- I don’t want one anymore.
the hens were getting beat up too- the backs of several hens were all torn up.
do nice roosters not tear up their backs?
I am sad but relieved too-
Sharing my mistakes, in hopes that others don't need to suffer them, in order to learn from them.
Lesson learned. It had to be done and I did give him 3 plus chances

 

[Bigbluefrog]

Personally I assume that my roosters will come at me if I were to grab a hen and she is squawking. Protecting their harem is instinctual and expected IMO. In order to completely avoid such confrontations, in each run I have a way to gate the rooster off before catching girls if necessary. Also I will sometimes just close the pop door after the rooster exits in the morning, as they are usually the first one out. Most often I will just take girls off the roost at night if I need to examine or move them.

The attacks happened outside the yard or run. One I was just walking down a path.
Second time I was in the run giving treats but he stopped, 3 rd he charged at me on the way to coop- I approached him and didn’t back down. Another time he charged the fence when I was outside the run. And last one was as I was walking down the driveway to get the mail- he is done. I wouldn’t rehome an aggressive rooster.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I think you did the right thing. And no, a good rooster won't tear them up.