Rooster getting mean

[aart]

Those guys are just doing what they think they are supposed to do--protecting their flock.

Disagrees strongly...cock/erel should know you are not a threat.
One of my criteria for 'testing' 'training' a cockerel is to pick up a pullet/hen regularly,
he might show concern when she squawks but should quickly calm down when he sees it's me holding the bird.

 

[WVduckchick]

He doesn't look lavender to me. He looks blue. I'd trade him in for a nicer one. JMHO

 

[Folly's place]

Any bird who attacks the giants who bring food is an idiot, too busy thinking bad thoughts to be useful in any way for his flock. He needs to be invited to dinner somewhere!
Human aggression should not be tolerated in breeding stock either; you need another boy! You might be able to convince him to avoid you, as an individual, but he'll take on every human he meets, and can do real damage, especially to small people (children)!
Mary

 

[getaclue]

Don't give up yet. Young may be the keyword here. Young roosters tend to go through a hormonal phase, for a time, then as their hormones balance out, they settle down. This does not mean you can let him get away with his behavior. Since the change is recent, it's easier to try to get him to change. Assuming you are free ranging him, here are some things, from experience, that I suggest you try. For now, get a "rooster stick". A rooster stick can be anything from a cane, to a child's plastic bat, to a broom handle. For now, each time you go out in the yard, walk straight up to him. Of course, he should move out of your way, BUT there are a couple things to watch for when he stops. Watch his face. Is he giving you the stink eye? Keep him moving. Use the rooster stick for range, so you don't have to chase him as much, and you can tap him on the butt, if need be. As long as he's giving you the stink eye, keep him moving. Next, look at his stance when he comes to a stop. Is he relaxed, or is he doing the shoulder lean? If he's not relaxed, get him moving again. This can take a bit of time the first time, and you will have to do this for a couple weeks, but it should get easier. When you go out, and he moves out of your way, no stink eye, no shoulder lean, you don't have to keep him moving.

Ok, he's attacking from behind. You are prepared. The first time you get him moving, and keep him moving out of your way, until there is no stink eye, or shoulder lean, turn away to leave. Take a step, then turn around, and get him moving out of your way again. Turn away, take a couple steps, turn back around, and get him moving out of your way. Now turn around to walk away. If he tries to come after you, be ready to turn around, and swat him firmly with your rooster stick, and keep him moving out of your way. The object is to swat him firm enough he understands, but not enough to injure him. I don't suggest a garden tool for this, because it could injure him, and that's not what you are trying to do. Usually within a couple weeks of this, you can walk safely in your yard. Not always, but usually. I find that when it's a young rooster, and his hormones, a couple weeks of this solves the problem, however, always check for stink eye, and posturing in case you need to reinforce your rooster training at a later time.

 

[Folly's place]

I think that if it takes more than two or three corrections, the cockerel is likely going to continue and escalate his behavior, and won't be a safe bird to be around. He's also likely to challenge every individual human he encounters, just because that's who he is. Mary

 

[My First Chick]

I have a roo who attacks anyone but me. I am assuming he feels he is protecting his hens. He tried it on me ONCE. I screamed NO and tapped him on the head and i've knever had a problem since. I don't feel tapping him on the head will hurt him. He gets pecked harder from the hens at times.

 

[Silkylover12]

My comment about holding him was in response to the person saying to hold him down to the ground until he relaxes

With my experience with roosters, his behavior is caused by the breeding season. He is trying to protect his hens, which is natural for any rooster. If you can get a hold of him, I agree with the rest: try and hold him down until he relaxes or (which I've found to work because it shows him who's boss) flip him upside down.

Good luck!

 

[getaclue]

I think that if it takes more than two or three corrections, the cockerel is likely going to continue and escalate his behavior, and won't be a safe bird to be around. He's also likely to challenge every individual human he encounters, just because that's who he is. Mary

It should not take more than 2-3 corrections to get it under control, but it's good to reinforce it. Again, the most time is spent the first couple days, then it's usually easy, and much less time consuming. As to holding them down, that works good for hens, but not so much in roosters.

 

[WVduckchick]

I don't doubt that roosters can be "trained". I had one. But my question is - are children involved? A slightly aggressive rooster around adults who are aware of him can be worked with. But i would not tolerate one around children if i was always worried about it attacking. Yes, any bird "can" attack at any time, but a known aggression would always put me on higher alert. And if children were involved, I don't think it's worth the risk.

 

[MageofMist]

I used to volunteer at a community farm that had a infamous gamebird rooster named Killer... For good reason, a tiny little thing in an aviary due to being able to fly, with other tiny hens. He was a wonderful caretaker of the hens and an attentive father, but HATED and DESPISED people and would attack on sight. Many volunteers were too scared to even go into his pen, while I wasn't allowed at first due to me being a minor at the time, didn't want me getting blinded by a crazed roo.

Well, one day the place was short staffed and so I decided to go in and sort out the food and water... He jumped down at me from his perch, like he does to all the others, but I snatched him out of the air, held him firmly, but was careful to not hurt him, and petted him, he squirmed and struggled at first before eventually giving in and letting me pet him, once he had mellowed out enough, I put him down and he scurried off... He never bothered me since after I humiliated him infront of the hens, and he avoided me when I entered the pen instead of attacking.

Even when I went in to play with the chicks the hens had, he'd just stare at me from a distance.

Also, when Peep-Peep, my Silkie cockerel I own came of age, he got a little feisty and ran up and pecked at my foot, likely trying to mount it. I picked him up right then and there and held him, giving him a light tap on the head. Once he calmed down, I put him back down.