Rooster started attacking us

[Muser]

I had the same thing, raised a baby roo from a chick, very tame, and lovely until around 9 months, then Spring made his hormones go crazy and he became a psycho. He attacked me once full on and he went into freezer camp that night. I didn't want to be afraid of going into my own garden. My girls didn't even notice him gone, they did not care one little bit and I can run around in my garden now if I want to without being hunted. That was the best decision I made in regards to my flock. Cull the roo and you and your little ones can enjoy the hens without worry of a Rooster attack.

People have lost their lives to Rooster attacks, it's really not worth losing an eye over just to 'keep him around'.

 

[FrostRanger]

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.

This. Human aggression is separate from protectiveness. A gentlemanly rooster can still be very protective of his girls and will lay down his life to keep them safe, while a human aggressive rooster can still be a coward who will leave his girls to the wolves at the first sign of danger. Rather than aggressive, you want an attentive rooster who always has his eyes open for danger and is keeping a close eye on his girls. If he's attacking the friendly giant who brings food he's not doing his job keeping an eye out for real danger

 

[RuralChick83]

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!

Hi there! I am dealing with an aggressive roo right now. He was fine until my hens started laying eggs, then he kept trying to kick and peck at me. I tried the water bottle sprayer and that did nothing. I read to advance on him. I did that after he kicked me and he retreated and was fine for a couple of days. He is mainly protecting his flock and he is fine with me when I have treats, but he is trying to kick me now because the girls are coming by me when I come in. I think he sees me as competition. I do have a separate enclosure that I was going to put him in. I am a little wishy-washy on what to do. I want to let the girls free range during the day, but I would like to have him too to protect them, but I have a 5 yr old daughter and 3 dogs. I don't want him attacking them. If I keep him separate does he eventually chill out as he gets older? I haven't tried picking him up and holding him for awhile yet because I don't have enough time to do so because I also have a 2 month old and no one to watch her while I try. I just have enough time to let them out in the morning. Any advice?

 

[Folly's place]

Best advice, thanks to bitter experiences over decades: eliminate him now! He's a risk for everyone, and especially for your daughter!!!
When he's plotting his next attack, he's not protecting his flock, he's being an idiot, and nothing you do will make him safe for your child.
Any other people visiting? Children? How's your risk tolerance? Liability insurance for harboring a known dangerous animal? Insurance that includes having poultry? Many homeowners policies don't cover poultry...
Polite cockerels and roosters are a pleasure to have, they complete the flock social order. Jerks, not so much.
Mary

 

[FrostRanger]

I second what folly said and since you have such a young child I'd reconsider having a rooster at all until she gets older. When a rooster turns human aggressive they'll usually go after children first and since they're so small they can get hit in the face and lose an eye. In any case your current roo needs to be soup like yesterday