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

[centrarchid]

Post a video showing how you "pet" your rooster. I am betting your "petting" action looks to the rooster like someone trying to assert dominance over him and he is saying up yours.

 

[minaayindra]

Loosing an eyeball, or having a serious deep tissue infection, and such injuries to a visitor or a child; nothing that I'd ever want to have happen here!!!
Mary

Yes, that would be terrible. I am very fortunate to live in a rural area where children are never visiting. My chickens only come out with supervision so, should someone be there, they will not be able to bother them. I've made accommodations to keep everyone happy and healthy but I know I have different circumstances than people in more populated areas.

 

[Folly's place]

Sadly, the chicken isn't about whether your feeling are hurt or not...
Mary

 

[minaayindra]

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.

He's actually adorable- but that's probably what people have said about Satan! lol

 

[kcan2]

Loosing an eyeball, or having a serious deep tissue infection, and such injuries to a visitor or a child; nothing that I'd ever want to have happen here!!!
Mary

No way! I definitely want people to be safe around my animals and have always done my best at training all of my animals, dogs, horses, etc. I want to do my best at chicken training too I know that is a balance of understanding they are animals but also earning their trust and respect, but I'm not sure what happened to upset that balance in a chicken-brain!

 

[kcan2]

Ya also mine does not attack if I’m just sitting or walking in there I can walk wherever I want and kneel down right by the girls he usually will only get mad if I pick up his favorite or one or one of the girls makes a big commotion when I pick her up. I would seriously reconsider him if I feared for my safety at all because I’m not getting bullied by a fluffybutt. I’m at the top of the pecking order that’s for sure!

I’ve had friends with absolutely massive roosters and I can’t imagine how much damage one of their could do, very scary. Luckily they were all sweet!

A huge rooster would definitely intimidate me, too, especially if I can't even handle my bantam rooster, lol.

 

[kcan2]

I have always followed the policy that you note with my cockerels and roosters and I have only had one truly demonic rooster (White Leghorn Easter Chick) in my 50+ years of raising chickens. I called him Satan.

That's a really great track record for 50+ years!

 

[minaayindra]

A huge rooster would definitely intimidate me, too, especially if I can't even handle my bantam rooster, lol.

Then you should be dealing with Billy, the very large Black Copper Marans in the pictures- yet we go on.

 

[kcan2]

@minaayindra

I just watch him sometimes and marvel at the work he does and how stressful it must be when everyone is outside and he’s trying to keep track of them as well as any risks. Can you imagine if it were us? We would probably be running around with an ax chopping at everyone!

Lol! Yes I agree: the ax would be out!
I just got home and fully read your very helpful post and Billy is awesome! Here is my guy:

 

[chickens really]

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!

Sorry I never read all the other replies. Carry a stick and get his feet moving a good 6 foot distance from your space. He probably is fine and just protecting his Hens. Seriously never hand feed him or think he is sweet because he isn't. He's a male Chicken. I'm sure if you begin to treat him with respect he will follow.