Rooster Getting Aggressive

[aart]

May be too late, IMO....it's better if cockerels are a little afraid of you from the time they are known to be cockerels. I stop hand feeding or handling cockerel by 6wks.
I walk 'thru' them regularly to teach them to stay away from me.
'Familiarity breeds contempt' fits chickeneering to a tee.
Cuddled or lap cockerels are the most likely ones to go rogue.

 

[Chickassan]

Yeah,i wouldn't dig out the silverware just yet. They get a little dumb when the hormones start and overly brave. If he doesn't settle down in a couple months you might have to get serious about his future before he can hurt anybody. I tend to just ignore roos during this stage because absolutely anything you do towards them is seen as a challenge and they just get worse at least that's been my experience. In a couple of months though it's like they never went crazy...males are not right.

Yea, I noticed it was at sunrise mostly and they have been up for 3 hours already. Afternoons is hop on hens time so he's busy with that and making sure he doesn't miss any treats. Not ready to change his name to Coq au vin yet.

He still hops up on my leg for treats, just have to watch him.

I was going to make him free range by himself today but he would not come out of the run by himself lol.

JT

 

[jthornton]

Opps, more chicken knowledge to absorb. If I carry the broom he stays way away from me like he is scared of the broom.

JT

 

[aart]

Opps, more chicken knowledge to absorb. If I carry the broom he stays way away from me like he is scared of the broom.

JT

That's good.
Now you need to get him scared of you....so you don't have to carry the broom.
Tough love him bro....no more lap snacks.

 

[chickens really]

I went through similar issues with my first cockerel. Be careful until you decide what to do. He's being a normal boy, it could get worse before it gets better.

Yep , or worse and never better?...

 

[chickens really]

That's good.
Now you need to get him scared of you....so you don't have to carry the broom.
Tough love him bro....no more lap snacks.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Human aggression in a young rooster isn't normal behavior. Squelch those actions quickly. It may already be too late. My personal tool would be a fishing net. Other tools can make it seem like you are fighting with him. Scooping him up in a net and either penning him temporarily or leaving him sit in the net works well for a domination ritual.

He should soon see you and run the other way, which is what you want. Curb any forward behaviors, and keep him moving away from you. It's what a dominant rooster does to the young ones as they are growing. It's possible he may turn around if you nip it in the bud.

If such behaviors were normal I wouldn't be keeping as many roosters as I do. None ever come after me anymore since I mostly ignore them as they are growing.

 

[jthornton]

I put on my insulated Carhartt bibs so I would not react to him pecking and walked into him pushing him out of my way then walked away like I had something to do. When he chased me I turned around and walked toward him making him back up 5-6 feet. Then I stood still in front of him and in a bit he started pecking the ground like nothing happened. I walked away and he did not follow. Not raising my foot and just pushing him backward got a better response than reacting to the peck. Need to do more positive none reactive training so he knows the 175 pound chicken is boss.

Thanks
JT

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Exactly, don't be afraid to walk right over him. Stand tall and be confident. Most roosters dominate all with attitude.

 

[chickens really]

Awesome news...Yes get his butt moving a good distance from you...Congrats you will be head Roo in no time.