Rooster struck at husband, now me. What can I do?

[kcan2]

The other day my husband was feeding my two chickens and he said that the rooster flew at his hand when he tried to pet him. I didn't see it, but today when I was feeding the chickens, my rooster struck at my hand...twice.

I'm not sure what to do or how to nip this behavior to get my precious boy back...

I'm a little bit emotional about it because I have been going through some health issues and the chickens have been one of the few joys in my life right now.

Hopefully it's not too late and he is doomed to be a mean rooster from now on...help!

 

[Chloe+chickens=LOVE]

How old is he? It could be hormones if he's under a year

 

[kcan2]

How old is he? It could be hormones if he's under a year

He is under a year, will be one in May. Is it a temporary thing? I tried holding him right after he did it, but he did it again once I tried feeding him.

 

[Chickassan]

Well, firstly don't pet the rooster or put your hands near his little rooster face.
This alone might fix it.
Chickens have odd vision, one eye sees close and one sees far....they don't work in tandem like ours do.
Quick movement in and around the head is never met with the reaction you are looking for.

 

[kcan2]

Well, firstly don't pet the rooster or put your hands near his little rooster face.
This alone might fix it.
Chickens have odd vision, one eye sees close and one sees far....they don't work in tandem like ours do.
Quick movement in and around the head is never met with the reaction you are looking for.

What made him randomly start doing this?I have been nothing but gentle with them and they always associate me with food/treats, I just dont get it and I don't want to get scared of him

 

[Chloe+chickens=LOVE]

It's usually just a phase then they'll stop doing it as they get older. I have some roosters that are doing this to but it eventually stops.

 

[kcan2]

I hope so because this makes me so sad! Where it went through my glove. Doesn't hurt but hurts my feelings, lol

 

[Folly's place]

I do best having my cockerels and then the roosters learn to avoid me, and never hand feed treats, or try to make them 'pets'. I want them to respect my space and get out of my way, so pecking at my hand doesn't happen.
Love on your pullet, and have your boy get out of your path!
It's not about picking him up, or giving treats, or chasing him around, it's about calmly moving around out there, and expecting him to focus on his job, which is to look out fro predators (not you!) and treat his flockmates well.
This youngster hasn't got it together yet, and has too little to do, if there's only one other bird. His agemate can't teach him manners either, because he matures faster than the pullet.
Cockerels raised in a flock with adult hens and a rooster will learn humility, and can be better behaved as adults.
Also, it takes experience to 'read' behaviors out there, and often it's best to only have pullets that first year.
Mary

 

[Phillyndilly]

So I have a rooster named Rudy. He is a silkie he’s supposed to be VERY docile and he attacks me all of the time! We are now arch enemies he’s small and doesn’t hurt at all but he really pisses me off. He is also very young.
I pick him up too I used to be super nice to him but he’s just a jerk. It’s his personality. My Sebright bantam rooster is a way better protector than him and he never goes at me ever and he’s also young.
I’ve tried being nice... now when he does it I just grab him by his tail feathers scoop him up and hold him for a while because I know he hates it. I read for them to respect you you have to peck them. I’ve pecked him on the head too I just tap him a little with my finger.
Honestly I used to be upset about it too but now he just pisses me off.
I agree with everyone maybe it’s just a phase but maybe he’s just a jerk. He thinks he’s protecting his girls it’s his nature you’re big and “scary” it’s just how it goes. I say if you have to choose choose your safety especially if he’s hurting you and give him some pecks.
Rudy’s always scared of me when I do that and then all of a sudden he flys at me like a bat out of hell when I’m putting down the water. So don’t worry you won’t hurt his feelings too bad.
I guess you can try to go the nice route too but I’ve read that doesn’t really work and they will just view you as weak. So I don’t know that’s just my opinion.
Here’s the demon giving me the stare down. I still would always protect him and never hurt him but I enjoy giving him a nice kick in the butt sometimes lol.

 

[Folly's place]

It might help to peck him back, fast, several times, if he pecks you. Another chicken would do that, and it could help. Avoid situations where he's able to get you too.
Mary