Rooster Getting Aggressive

[jthornton]

My Orpington cockerel started to become aggressive to me as he grew older but once I showed him I wasn't afraid of him and held him or backed him into a corner every time he showed dominance for a while, he began to learn he wasn't the boss. Now he's very good around me and will only attack if I'm not wearing my chicken boots.

My goal is Henry not attacking me no matter what I'm wearing. A bonus would be him not attacking any humans... but I'm not betting on that just yet.

@Ruralhideaway yep, there is so much to learn about chickens and chicken behavior it ain't funny. When I came home with the first group of chickens within an hour I was back at the farm supply getting more things I needed for chicks after reading some online.

JT

 

[jthornton]

Just an update on Henry, he is 30 weeks old and yesterday he got some new privileges. As of late every time I approach him he either turns to the side or faces away from me. If I reach for him he jumps away from me. He has been confined to his spacious coop since he got separated from the pullets. I bring him his food after sunrise so he is off the roost and we have to interact each time. Yesterday I built a fence around his coop so he has a run and turned the coop so the open side faces the chicken yard. The couple of times I've been in his yard he has reacted properly by turning to the side and moving away if needed. I think we are making progress... while he does not get as far away as I would like he does keep his set distance of a couple of feet. After I let him out in the yard yesterday afternoon he did the proper cockerel thing and watched out for danger and sounded the alarm if anything sounded like danger. His fence is 4' from the chicken yard.

JT

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Just an update on Henry, he is 30 weeks old and yesterday he got some new privileges. As of late every time I approach him he either turns to the side or faces away from me. If I reach for him he jumps away from me. He has been confined to his spacious coop since he got separated from the pullets. I bring him his food after sunrise so he is off the roost and we have to interact each time. Yesterday I built a fence around his coop so he has a run and turned the coop so the open side faces the chicken yard. The couple of times I've been in his yard he has reacted properly by turning to the side and moving away if needed. I think we are making progress... while he does not get as far away as I would like he does keep his set distance of a couple of feet. After I let him out in the yard yesterday afternoon he did the proper cockerel thing and watched out for danger and sounded the alarm if anything sounded like danger. His fence is 4' from the chicken yard.

JT

I really wonder if waiting out that first hormone rush could make all the difference. The good handling can only help of course. I guess there's still hope.

Having just seen one lose his marbles leaves me thinking some will calm back down. My guy became literally frantic over the course of 48 hours, I don't yet believe that's a permanent change. Seems there's some signs that it'll hold true for your boy. Good learning opportunity for me.

 

[bobbi-j]

I really wonder if waiting out that first hormone rush could make all the difference. The good handling can only help of course. I guess there's still hope.

Having just seen one lose his marbles leaves me thinking some will calm back down. My guy became literally frantic over the course of 48 hours, I don't yet believe that's a permanent change. Seems there's some signs that it'll hold true for your boy. Good learning opportunity for me.

Some will, some won't. There are no absolutes. Every chicken is different.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Some will, some won't. There are no absolutes. Every chicken is different.

He's getting a little time segregated. I'm not convinced it'll work though. My other two cockerels are doing so well without him that I'm kind of tempted to move him along.

 

[jthornton]

I must say I've learned a lot about rooster behavior, postures and what to expect next from Henry and it's kinda sad to see him go but today is the day. I could not let him in his yard because he would fly out and trying to hold him and clip wings by myself was impossible. I must admit I went the extra mile an a half trying to work with Henry. With help from everyone here and Henry's teachings I now know a whole lot more about roosters and how to treat them. I don't have any plans to get any more roosters in the near future but should I ever get one again I'll be prepared for sure.

My buddy who watches my chickens when we go away even commented "dang that's one mean rooster".

The neighbor is taking a dozen of her roosters to a lady that processes birds so Henry is going with them. I've never processed a live bird so I figured an expert would be the best to use.

This clears the way to fix the roof of the shed and start the conversion to a proper coop and run. I wish I had the place to build a woods coop next to the house.

JT

 

[Ruralhideaway]

I must say I've learned a lot about rooster behavior, postures and what to expect next from Henry and it's kinda sad to see him go but today is the day. I could not let him in his yard because he would fly out and trying to hold him and clip wings by myself was impossible. I must admit I went the extra mile an a half trying to work with Henry. With help from everyone here and Henry's teachings I now know a whole lot more about roosters and how to treat them. I don't have any plans to get any more roosters in the near future but should I ever get one again I'll be prepared for sure.

My buddy who watches my chickens when we go away even commented "dang that's one mean rooster".

The neighbor is taking a dozen of her roosters to a lady that processes birds so Henry is going with them. I've never processed a live bird so I figured an expert would be the best to use.

This clears the way to fix the roof of the shed and start the conversion to a proper coop and run. I wish I had the place to build a woods coop next to the house.

JT

You really gave him every chance possible. Some roos just have a moment, but clearly he was not one of those. He had a good life, most roosters never really get much time but you gave him that.

Onto the shed!

 

[The Moonshiner]

I must say I've learned a lot about rooster behavior, postures and what to expect next from Henry.
With help from everyone here and Henry's teachings I now know a whole lot more about roosters and how to treat them.
JT

I think a lot of us was learning from Henry.
Sad it didn't work out in the end but not only was he teaching you he and yourself were teaching others.
How cool that you did go above and beyond but you also let so many others take the journey with you.
Henry may not of been a perfect rooster ok Henry may not of even been a good rooster but with the time he had he was far reaching and legendary here on BYC.

 

[aart]

Sad it didn't work out in the end but not only was he teaching you, he and yourself were teaching others.

Ditto Dat^^^