Rooster not sharing treats with hens, acting aggressive!

[sbergstrom09]

One of my roosters does not share his treats with the hens, he eats it first! I have tried giving him his own treats by hand to see if he will share with the hens after he eats some( and feed) but as soon as my hand is empty he attacks/spurs me. He has been increasingly aggressive towards us. We have tried handling him more but it's been almost impossible with him attacking. The only thing that helps is a spray bottle with water, standing our ground doesn't work either. We have 3 little ones we are introducing, currently they have been in their brooder box inside the coop day and night for about 3 weeks. We would like to keep him as he seems he would be very good in protecting the hens against predators, but we do have another rooster. They did grow up together and do not fight a lot, occasionally. Suggestions?

 

[sourland]

I would remove this rooster from the flock. There is little reason to tolerate a human aggressive rooster - especially if there are children involved.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

1. Stop hand feeding an aggressive rooster. That is a good and quick way to get spurred in the face or worse…lose an eye.

2. If you have two and the other is not aggressive get rid of the aggressive one. Most people do not need two roosters and unless you plan on hatching eggs you technically do not need any. While your rooster may try to protect the hens they are useless for protection in most* instances. Sometimes they may be successful in fending off something small trying to get your chickens, but more often than not the predator is just going to kill the rooster and head straight to the hen buffet.

3. Handling an aggressive rooster will only make him worse. You are showing him that you are submitting to him and he will continue to try to keep you in line.

4. If you don’t want to butcher find it a farm to go to. Some people don’t go around their chickens so the aggressiveness doesn’t bother them. However, if you must keep it there are some threads on here where some people have managed to tame an aggressive rooster. I would say that is the exception not the rule though and treating your rooster like a puppy will most definitely only make things worse for you.

 

[sbergstrom09]

1. stop hand feeding an aggressive rooster. That is a good and quick way to get spurred in the face or worse…lose an eye.

2. if you have two and the other is not aggressive get rid of the aggressive one. Most people do not need two roosters and unless you plan on hatching eggs you technically do not need any. While your rooster may try to protect the hens they are useless for protection in most* instances. Sometimes they may be successfully in fending off something small trying to get your chickens, but more often than not the predator is just going to kill the rooster and head straight to the hen buffet.

3. handling an aggressive rooster will only make him worse. You are showing him that you are submitting to him and he will continue to try to keep you in line.

4. If you don’t want to butcher find it a farm to go to. Some people don’t go around their chickens so the aggressiveness doesn’t bother them. However, if you must keep it there are some threads on here where some people have managed to tame an aggressive rooster. I would say that is the exception not the rule though and treating your rooster like a puppy will most definitely only make things worse for you.

I have been trying to find some farms as a backup plan as I prefer not to cull him or sell him and have someone else continue with the problem. When he is roosting I am able to pet him and he doesn't peck or attack. He is just over a year old and it seems as soon as we put them outside to free range his aggressiveness increased.

 

[sbergstrom09]

I would remove this rooster from the flock. There is little reason to tolerate a human aggressive rooster - especially if there are children involved.

No children but we do walk our cats outside and keep a fair distance away from the hens and him. He does try to run up on us at times but we have been able to see him as he tries to "sneak " up on us

 

[wrathsfarm]

I agree with others that say dispatch. Choose wisely if rehoming... with full disclosure.

 

[LaFleche]

Your rooster is showing serious antisocial behaviour towards the hens and the humans.

At his age he will only get worse and yours hens deserve better as well as you.

He should be transferred to the freezer this same evening to prevent serious injuries.

 

[sbergstrom09]

Your rooster is showing serious antisocial behaviour towards the hens and the humans.

At his age he will only get worse and yours hens deserve better as well as you.

He should be transferred to the freezer this same evening to prevent serious injuries.

I would hate to cull him he’s a beautiful bird. My other option was considering selling him at the state fair with full disclosure or finding a farm but so far they’re all full

 

[wrathsfarm]

I would hate to cull him he’s a beautiful bird. My other option was considering selling him at the state fair with full disclosure or finding a farm but so far they’re all full

Segregate him til you can make a decision.

 

[LaFleche]

I would hate to cull him he’s a beautiful bird. My other option was considering selling him at the state fair with full disclosure or finding a farm but so far they’re all full

Perceived beauty is no reason to keep this dangerous bird as there are many more that are more beautiful and well behaved.