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

[Phillyndilly]

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

lol Mary is reading my mind I keep posting and then look at your post and I’m like yes I agree!

 

[Folly's place]

At this point, if this is all he's doing, it might still work out for him. However, if he turns into an attack bird, that's another story entirely!
Roosters can cause serious harm to people, especially children, and an idiot who attacks the giants who bring food every day is a liability, and pretty useless.
There are nice cock birds out there, and keeping a jerk makes no sense.
Mary

 

[minaayindra]

I’ve had the same issue with a rooster I raised from one day old- I also was distressed because most people kept saying to give him away (which never bodes well for the rooster) or put him in a pot- ack! He is part of my family now! I’ve been involved with animals my entire life and it’s important to meet them where they are, not try to bend them to thinking like humans. A rooster has one gig in life, besides the obvious of fertilizing eggs. He is there to protect and defend his gals, from anything and everything. Once I started paying attention to that, I stopped thinking he now hated me and had the potential to be a psycho behind my back. I read articles on rooster behavior (there are some good ones on this site and online as well); this helped me understand how they fulfill their biological drive for protecting hens. I paid attention to exactly what I was doing when he came after me or my husband. The end result was either we were too near his hen or we were invading his defined territory by entering the coop or section of yard he occupied. When I stopped staring at him and moved away from the area he was agitated about, he was fine again. With the right treats, he will even let me in the coop to clean. That way he gets to look fabulous to the gals because HE found the snacks (yes, I give them directly to him for distribution). If there are no hens around, he becomes my old boy again.

Not to take any chances, I also purchased knee-high heavy boots and thicker denim to wear when working around him. I don’t kick at him or push stuff in his face, that just makes him feel he is under attack. As far as my hands, if I don’t have gloves on I don’t put them within striking distance. Remember, he doesn’t hate you but is just doing his very important job.

We now have a good relationship which I enjoy, he didn’t meet a terrible fate, and I still love him. I’m not sure my hens would survive a predator-laden environment without his constant watchfulness and willingness to take the hit as long as his hens survive. 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!

Anyway, I hope this was helpful- just don’t give up! You seem to have a bond with him so appreciate him for the beautiful guy he is. I’d love to see his picture if you could take one- this is my beautiful Billy.

 

[Uff Da]

I can't recommend the following article enough. Remember, chickens are not humans, and attaching human emotions to them and expecting them to reciprocate as a human would is unfair to them. You need to change your expectations of him. He was not designed to be a cuddly pet.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/a-viewpoint-on-managing-roosters.74690/

 

[Chicken Heel]

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

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.

 

[Duckfarmer1]

We had a tough rooster that was named Spike, for obvious reasons. He would come at us allll the time. I had to carry a small stick whenever in the coop. I didn5 let him free range. Spike is no longer with us because he got too out of control. We now have two, very nice younger guys...they are still cockerels technically, but I’m hoping they stay this nice! my advice is to go at him first if he starts to come at you. They are hardwired, so I’ve read on here, to protect their hens, no matter what. I hope it works out for you. I’ll be watching this thread!

 

[Phillyndilly]

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!

 

[Folly's place]

The fighting cock people select breeding stock to have very extremely aggressive roosters with each other, and to be easily handled by humans.
Having polite roosters is not all about how they are managed, or all about their genetics, but both are involved. Some cockerels are little attack birds from an early age (I had one who went for me at eight weeks!) and others will be polite towards people no matter how coddled they were. However, his job is to be there for his flockmates, and to avoid wasting his time stalking humans!
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

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

 

[minaayindra]

View attachment 2030556
I hope so because this makes me so sad! Where it went through my glove. Doesn't hurt but hurts my feelings, lol

So, as you see from the response, roosters generate some strong feelings and opinions!