Rooster grievances or something like that.

[BarbaraMason]

I have an Americana Rooster. I pretty much leave him alone and let him do his rooster thing. Problem is he is very territorial. I walk to his pen and he runs and throws himself on it like he is an MMA fighter or something. My thought is if the cage was not there, I would probably be a goner. He does his job protecting the other hens but man he is pretty aggressive. Any suggestions for this?

 

[FeatherLace]

Most people just either eat or sell a rooster like that, because a flock doesn't actually need a rooster unless for protection or fertile eggs, forgive me if I'm wrong about that though. I have heard stories of people grab the rooster when he jumps at you and hold him down onto the ground in a submissive hen position or hold him tightly under your arm for ten minutes or so, which teaches him your dominance, since that's what another dominant rooster would do to him is hold him down. Make sure to completely restrict movement without hurting him, is what I've heard works for a lot of people. May have to do this quite a few times.

 

[Folly's place]

I'm the giant who brings food, and any cockerel or rooster who wants to do me in is GONE!
Human aggression is genetic, and sometimes a management issue with cockerels, and life is too short to keep a jerk like that.
He's also likely to reproduce himself, not always, but sometimes.
@Beekissed and @Shadrach have good articles about managing roosters; look them up. There are others too, and lots of conflicting advice about 'reforming' bad actors. In my experinece, a jerk doesn't reform, certainly not for everyone he might meet.
Mary

 

[aart]

How old is this bird?
He'll be delicious, life's too short for dealing with that crap.

 

[BarbaraMason]

You do have your points there Ms. Mary.

How old is this bird?
He'll be delicious, life's too short for dealing with that crap.

He's' about 1 1/2 year old. Still young. He's just starting to grow his spurs.

 

[aart]

He's' about 1 1/2 year old. Still young.

That is not 'young' behavior-wise, IMO.

 

[centrarchid]

I have an Americana Rooster. I pretty much leave him alone and let him do his rooster thing. Problem is he is very territorial. I walk to his pen and he runs and throws himself on it like he is an MMA fighter or something. My thought is if the cage was not there, I would probably be a goner. He does his job protecting the other hens but man he is pretty aggressive. Any suggestions for this?

Can you show a video of what is going on? I am not recognized as expert, but I do know my way around roosters and keep them under a variety of circumstances that might help you understand your current situation better.


Below is a link to an article I just created. I tried to refrain from value judgments.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...hicken-directed-at-humans-man-fighting.75750/

 

[SegiDream]

Do they free range? What if he attacked a visitor?

I've never kept a true problem rooster and the aggressive ones I had recently didn't last long enough to find out if they would outgrow those tendencies (freezer camp). Aggressive behavior that extreme could be genetic and you wouldn't want that in the offspring.

I'd say it's not worth the effort at this point...

 

[BarbaraMason]

Can you show a video of what is going on? I am not recognized as expert, but I do know my way around roosters and keep them under a variety of circumstances that might help you understand your current situation better.


Below is a link to an article I just created. I tried to refrain from value judgments.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...hicken-directed-at-humans-man-fighting.75750/

I will try to get a video of him but he puts on his best behavior when the camera is out. Even when someone is new with me he won't do it. He's just a little snicklefritz.

 

[BarbaraMason]

Can you show a video of what is going on? I am not recognized as expert, but I do know my way around roosters and keep them under a variety of circumstances that might help you understand your current situation better.


Below is a link to an article I just created. I tried to refrain from value judgments.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...hicken-directed-at-humans-man-fighting.75750/

I read the article that you wrote which was most helpful. I think it is him feeling threatened by me and trying to assert himself as leader of the pack. He wasn't always like this. I used to be able to go in and walk around with him. He comes at me feet first and his head feathers flared out. I don't back down and run. I stand my ground. I have noticed he will retreat from me and pretend to find something for the hens to eat so that he doesn't lose respect with them. I will continue working with him but if it gets to be just too much I will call the local farmer to come get him. Thank you for the help.