Rooster question regarding Pinless Peepers

[HeatherKellyB]

This is just how I do things, but you should have handled him more. Sorry, but I've held my 2 roos here to the point where someone can actually cuddle them.

This doesn't work for every bird. In fact, this can have the opposite outcome. My daughter hatched chickens (actually she didn't hatch them obviously, hahaha) in her 2nd grade class. After begging me I decided to go for it and we purchased 3. All 3 were cockerels. She fell in LOVE with the Barred Rock and spent LOTS of time with him, as did I. He was handled gently and lovingly throughout each and every day. He was allowed to get down if he didn't want to be held and basically did as he liked. Fast forward to him turning 11 months old and he turned into a complete and total jerk. I still have him because we do care about him but he still tries to attack us through the fence, anytime we walk by. If I put my hand on the fence to brace myself, he will bite me. He is mean. At almost 16 months old now, he lives in a Bachelor Flock, with the other 2 roosters, while I try to find my "big girl britches" and handle the situation. Personality varies bird to bird. Of course SOME can be worked with to become gentlemen, but it's not always the case. Even well after he started his random attacks, I tried everything in my power to fix our relationship. He is just not nice, in spite of being raised with lots of cuddles. I'm happy to hear that this worked for you. The mean guys really make things stressful. Wishing you the best with your flock

 

[Weeg]

Thanks, they are starting a batchlore flock so they may just be able to keep there distance, but what about the Piness Peepers? Will they work to help with the aggression, and if they will, will they hurt the chicken? I have kinda avoided them because they go in the chickens nostrils, can the bird still breathe? If it will help, then they are willing to try it, before a delicious pot of Rooster noodle soup, so any suggestions are helpful! But I would like to help them out! Thanks everyone! Avery

 

[rosemarythyme]

With the peepers, all you can do is try them - don't know if it'll actually help with aggression but I suppose it could have the potential of blunting it. Birds have been injured by them (usually some bleeding in the nostrils) but I don't know if it was because they were installed incorrectly, or there was a problem with the peepers themselves.

 

[Shadrach]

There is a surprise Rooster who we have decided to keep but I have a few questions about him,
1. He will jump at people with his talons out but not showing major signs of aggression. He's has had contact with us only a few times and have some questions on whether or not we can break him of this. My first reflex would be to kick him. That is what I did with another rooster but I am aware this doesn't work every time.

2. I have researched Pinless Peepers and am wondering if they will help with aggression towards hens, will they help with aggression towards us?

3. I have never punched Pinless Peepers but have heard good things about them on here. I was alway a bit concerned about how they go into the chickens nostrils. Wouldn't that cause a problem, can the chicken still breath? If they will help I would be willing to try them, but I wouldn't want to hurt him.
I wish I had more control on the situation but he's not my rooster, I am posting this for a friend. I the was my rooster, I would just stew pot him if kicking didn't work, but they have become attached to him. I am sure they will get rid of him if he continues to be aggressive, but they really love him so they would do anything before that. Thanks in advance for the help, Avery

My advice is as follows.
Tell your friend who is responsible for this rooster to make an account on BYC and seek direct advice. She/he could read some of the numerous articles there are here regarding rooster keeping in a wide range of circumstances and decide on a course of action best suited to theirs.
If you have as you write 'researched' pinless peepers you will know the answer to the question you have asked. In short, they are unlikely to change aggressive behaviour if that is indeed what your friend is experiencing.
My advice to you, blunt, but fair under the circumstances, is if you believe that kicking any creature and then stewing them if they don't respond favorably is a constructive and caring solution to any problem, you should immediately abandon your self appointed role as animal behaviour advisor and learn to mind your own business.

 

[LaFleche]

There is a surprise Rooster who we have decided to keep but I have a few questions about him,
1. He will jump at people with his talons out but not showing major signs of aggression. He's has had contact with us only a few times and have some questions on whether or not we can break him of this. My first reflex would be to kick him. That is what I did with another rooster but I am aware this doesn't work every time.

Well, it really does not matter whether it is actually you or your 'friend' this aggressive rooster belongs to.

'Jumping at people with his talons out' and 'Having made contact a few times' translates to 'he already attacked humans several times' which means it was not by mistake but on purpose and this clearly is a major sign of aggression.
This kind of behaviour tends to get worse with each attack and the range of victims will get wider too.

You will never be able to change a roosters rough and abusive behaviour against the hens either.

Here is what I had to say on another occasion:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ings-with-free-roosters.1346680/post-22840557

 

[Weeg]

Thank you everyone, I will talk to her more about it and see how Dale the rooster is doing. I see will talk to her about her options and she how it goes. Thanks

 

[Chicalina]

I had no idea what these contraptions were so had to Google them. Jeezes. There are far better ways of dealing with behavioural issues than kicking or inserting cruel plastic gadgets to his face or killing him. I can't believe you/they were only contemplating these options.

Many things can help, but you need to focus on teaching the rooster to respect you. This can be done with kindness.

Kicking is aggressive, and violence only begets more violence in return. Plus it could injure the bird who is after all only behaving like a rooster.

Have you tried picking him up and holding him whenever you go to the coop, or holding him down on the ground with your hand? These actions show him he is beneath you, and are not cruel or violent. Have you tried using a stick or broom handle horizontally in an outstretched arm to hold him at bay while you move around the coop (not hitting him with it)?

Have you moved around him with confidence and not trepidation? Have you told him "No" in a firm voice with your hand up when he follows you or looks like he is giving you the eye?

Have you trimmed his spurs? Have you separated him from the other chickens for a week or two to bring him down a peg?

Have you picked up the hens in front of him and gently held them to show him you aren't hurting them? Have you fed them with treats from your hand to show you are the food provider and therefore of benefit to them?

Lots of suggestions you might like to try. And which have worked for me.

 

[Weeg]

Alright thank you! I have had very bad luck with aggressive roosters, so I haven’t continued my search. I will try these tactics with him for sure.

 

[Chicalina]

Another thought, if he is young then he is the victim of the massive teenage hormone surge which usually does settle down. This is the best time to teach him what behaviour you expect and what you won't tolerate. Don't let it get entrenched. Treat him like a naughty child who needs to be taught how to behave. It can be done firmly but gently.

Best of luck.

 

[Emmeran]

Keep in mind that you are the Goddess of their little world:

You created this little sub-world they live in.
You are the bringer of food.
You are also the bringer of water.
You can be the bringer of the hose if someone gets belligerent.
You are also the cooker of rooster if someone is mean.

As an alpha-male I have no problem facing down a rooster and reminding them that I will happily eat their liver in a gravy over mashed potatoes.
(but I'll do that with a Bull or a Boar also).

Your attitude and the Hose should correct all troubles you face...