Rooster started attacking us

[The Good Grumble]

That sounds like a scary situation, and I’m sorry that’s happening. You can try a shield temporarily if that’s helpful, but also check out the Roovolution videos, (YouTube, Spotify) or the Rooster Allies group on face book. He’s super young and his testosterone just started cranking! There’s lots of things you can do to help him that aren’t cruel, and he can be a great addition to your flock!

 

[Folly's place]

Nope. Obnoxious chicks turn into obnoxious adults, it's just who they are. Better to enjoy the more polite individuals!
Mary

 

[MysteryChicken]

Nope. Obnoxious chicks turn into obnoxious adults, it's just who they are. Better to enjoy the more polite individuals!
Mary

I get the opposite over here with my chicks. I keep birds that have a hardy personality, but aren't overly aggressive. Just bossy, & friendly.

I have many that are big babies.

Trying to keep a balance of those to traits as it's better to have tougher birds that'll survive, rather then wimps that'll coward, or die at free range.

It's a selection thing, doesn't really matter how many assertive chicks are removed, you'll still have them pop up.

 

[Folly's place]

"Obnoxious' in my world means actual attacks on flockmates, especially including injuries. There is a balance, avoiding the eight week old cockerel actually attacking humans, and the timid soul hiding in the back not interacting with anyone.
'Assertive' is good, attack behaviors, not so much.
Mary

 

[ktboy]

I agree with everyone... he will only get worse and it will take away all pleasure of chicken keeping. Plus, 1 cockerel to 4 pullets means he may over-mate them and hurt them too.

If you don't feel that you can cull him and eat him, then sell him or give him away for free with a warning that he's aggressive.

from what I read here most of you just do not understand chickens and roosters. An aggressive rooster is protecting his flock. I have barred rocks and my rooster is aggressive. I never have to worry about wild dogs, cats or hawks because he is protective. Yes you have to watch them, a simple water bottle sprayer or fly swatter will not hurt them but will curb their aggressiveness toward you. also feeding a rooster treats will make him know you are not a danger, plus simply picking him up and carrying him around will also help. Killing an animal because he is doing what he's supposed do is just plain dumb!

 

[daisygurl41]

I’ve been flogged twice by our roo, once ending up at urgent care. I have not been able to rehome him, and I won’t cull him. He now has his own coop, and I carry a badminton racquet into his run whenever I need to go in there. I use it to keep him away, not hurt him. If you can find another home for him, that’s great, but please make sure you disclose about the behavior. I wish the best for you.

 

[WingItRanch]

from what I read here most of you just do not understand chickens and roosters. An aggressive rooster is protecting his flock. I have barred rocks and my rooster is aggressive. I never have to worry about wild dogs, cats or hawks because he is protective. Yes you have to watch them, a simple water bottle sprayer or fly swatter will not hurt them but will curb their aggressiveness toward you. also feeding a rooster treats will make him know you are not a danger, plus simply picking him up and carrying him around will also help. Killing an animal because he is doing what he's supposed do is just plain dumb!

His job is to protect his girls from predators. Not the person bringing him food. If you want to live your life in fear of an aggressive rooster, that's your perogative and I commend you for not killing. But no opinions shared are "dumb."

 

[Serenitys-garden]

I have a 2 y o jersey giant that turned mean at about 9 months. I was in the garden and he was suddenly on my head! No urgent care visit, but scary. Then he hurt my Jack Russell just for being there. Since the birds free range, I kept a rake at each door to step outside. When the weather cools he calms down, but the last 2 summers have been a challenge. I didn't want to get rid of him for he protects the girls from predators or even getting too close to the road. Here's the funny story:

Last week I had to run to the house for a call, leaving the lawn mower in the yard. Upon completion, he wouldn't let me back to the mower and with no rake handy I was defenseless. I threw my ear muffs at him and jumped on, usually the mower scares him. Not this time! I roared away. The birds always follow the mower snatching up tasty treats. On one round there he stood in my path not moving..... I drove right up to him and he sidestepped giving me the eye. I followed him, and as he walked away I continued. He started to run, I sped up, and chased him for about 30 feet. He is afraid of me now! I even patted him yesterday and he squawked and flew away.

 

[fowltemptress]

from what I read here most of you just do not understand chickens and roosters. An aggressive rooster is protecting his flock. I have barred rocks and my rooster is aggressive. I never have to worry about wild dogs, cats or hawks because he is protective. Yes you have to watch them, a simple water bottle sprayer or fly swatter will not hurt them but will curb their aggressiveness toward you. also feeding a rooster treats will make him know you are not a danger, plus simply picking him up and carrying him around will also help. Killing an animal because he is doing what he's supposed do is just plain dumb!

Having human aggressive roosters does not mean you have good protectors. A rooster busy protecting his hens from me is a rooster who is not keeping an eye on where the real threats are coming from. I have a hen healing from a predator attack in my garage right now - one of my boys was on the scene and caused enough confusion with his attack that the hen was dropped and got away. That rooster has never displayed human aggression as I immediately cull any rooster who attacks a human, so I get great protectors without the headache of having to watch my back around them.

To the original poster, I know you said you wanted to try all options before resorting to culling, but with young children I'd definitely suggest skipping straight to culling. Even if he was a sweet tempered bird I'd recommend you get rid of him, because with as few hens as you have there will be too much mating stress on the girls.

 

[Folly's place]

Yes! While he's stalking you, he's ignoring real threats from predators, isn't tidbitting his hens, or doing anything actually useful.
Mary