Rooster getting mean

[Windus]

I have a young rooster who has, in the last 3 days, started charging and flying at us and hitting us in the legs with his spurs. What, other than chasing him off, can we do to stop this behavior? Culling him really is not an option as he is my only Lavender Roo and is really a beautiful bird and an active breeder. He is good and attentive with the hens, just getting nasty with us.

 

[centrarchid]

Stop chasing him.

He is showing aggression to you in the photograph.


Could you you upload a video of the aggression holding the camera as he attacks you? This actually provide a lot of insight in your behavior as well.

 

[Dawnclucks22]

Yes, stop the chasing. Whenever he does this, give him a sharp bop on the head like a dominant chicken would do to a lesser one. Hold him gently but firmly onto the ground until he relaxes. I have the same problem with my dominant hen, so far it's a slow process...

 

[centrarchid]

Do not hit him either. Darn it!

 

[Windus]

Holding him is not an option, he does not let us anywhere close enough to pick him up. The only times I can get my hands on him is after he is roosting in the coop for the night. He waits until he is behind us to do his attacks, he does not do it from the front.

 

[Dawnclucks22]

Do not hit him either. Darn it!

I don't mean in a violent way or anything, just a tap. But if that's not how it's done I definitely won't!

 

[Bonniebooboo]

That behavior usually gets worse. He'll likely attack you every chance he gets. If not from the front, then from behind. You'll need to pen him to keep from worrying about getting attacked, put up with it, or let him go. He is lovely, and I would hate to have to get rid of one I really like, but it is a huge problem when attacking begins. So, fence him in separately from the flock if you are going In and out getting eggs. If you have thick leather leggings you could wear , that could help your legs, but probably not feasible. Wish you the best in whatever you decide to do.

 

[centrarchid]

Holding him is not an option, he does not let us anywhere close enough to pick him up. The only times I can get my hands on him is after he is roosting in the coop for the night. He waits until he is behind us to do his attacks, he does not do it from the front.

You hold camera, not him. You could walk backwards if need be. Based on your post above, you are scared of him and he knows it. He is getting reactions out of you that egg him on.

Do you have heavy jeans and boots?

 

[Windus]

No, not scared of him at all. Just don't like the blitz attacks from the rear. He has never been friendly, have had him since 3 days old and he always fought at being handled.

 

[Windus]

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