Rooster suddenly acting aggressive toward child

[theoldchick]

Roosters like this simply can't be rehabbed as they will get you when you aren't looking. So, if your flock is for enjoyment, the rooster has got to go. You didn't do anything wrong, it's a simply his testosterone talking, and in his world he wants to be number one, or at least number two in flock hierarchy.

Flock dynamics are changing constantly and are reviewed every morning by every member of the flock. Pretty common to see roosters squabble at dawn, chase their hens and mate. If you have enough room everybody will get along with a few rare 'death matches'.

For some reason your son, despite his marshal arts training-or maybe because of it-has become number one enemy to your rooster. You can't do anything about it. Yes, your son can assert his dominance at that moment, but as soon as your son lets his guard down, the rooster will challenge him. Then there is the re-greet protocol: The rooster instantly challenges your son when he returns on a daily basis. Even the act of feeding the hens is an insult as the rooster considers such behavior an infringement on his territory. I'd get nasty if a woman kept coming over and feeding my hubby his supper and sweet talking him.

The rooster's world is rather simple: If you are the boss you get all the girls and lots of sex. Ain't no polite way to put it. It's nature at work.

Yes, there are things you can do to 'train' a rooster-but he will never be a family pet. And when are kids involved things get dicey. You want to protect your child, yet teach him how to stand up to a bully bird-and this is an excellent opportunity to teach your son the dark side of chicken keeping. Beating up a rooster won't work, so you have to make the difficult decision to let the bad guy go: Cull or rehome to someone who knows his temperament. Everybody will be happier for it.

 

[8 Chicks 1967]

I seem to be in the minority here and it's very understandable. Our Cockerel as he matured began to become more protective of his hens and would become aggressive towards my wife so, I snatched him up and held him upside down by his ankles for a few minutes. This happened twice and now he sits on my wife's lap in the evenings and has his treat with the girls. Maybe we are an exception to the rule. I completely agree your sons well being comes first, just thought I would mention our experience.

 

[song of joy]

Cull this rooster. He's a safety risk, and his behavior will very likely escalate beginning in January when the days get longer and hormone levels increase.

Then carefully consider whether or not you want a rooster in your flock. If you do, why? For example, if you're looking to raise chicks from your flock, you don't want a people-aggressive rooster as the sire of the chicks or you will end up with more people-aggressive roosters (i.e., you don't want to breed this behavioral trait forward). If you want the beauty of a rooster in the flock, his beauty fades really fast when you're being attacked.

 

[centrarchid]

I seem to be in the minority here and it's very understandable. Our Cockerel as he matured began to become more protective of his hens and would become aggressive towards my wife so, I snatched him up and held him upside down by his ankles for a few minutes. This happened twice and now he sits on my wife's lap in the evenings and has his treat with the girls. Maybe we are an exception to the rule. I completely agree your sons well being comes first, just thought I would mention our experience.

You are not alone. Some fights simply are not worth it.

 

[sannabelle]

One of our "always friendly" Roos went after my two year old yesterday- today he was listed for rehoming.

Aggressive birds don't belong around children. Doesn't matter why he's doing it- the point is that he is doing it now.

 

[MIChickandGuinea]

Cull this rooster. He's a safety risk, and his behavior will very likely escalate beginning in January when the days get longer and hormone levels increase.

Then carefully consider whether or not you want a rooster in your flock. If you do, why? For example, if you're looking to raise chicks from your flock, you don't want a people-aggressive rooster as the sire of the chicks or you will end up with more people-aggressive roosters (i.e., you don't want to breed this behavioral trait forward). If you want the beauty of a rooster in the flock, his beauty fades really fast when you're being attacked.

We actually specifically did NOT want a rooster. Perry was purchased from a group listed “pullets only “, but he clearly was not a pullet. (His original name was Periwinkle, which was shortened to Perry as soon as we realized that she was a he). We have lots of space and thought we might be able to manage life with a rooster. We did know that roosters sometimes turn aggressive, so we are not surprised ... just disappointed. We have really enjoyed watching beautiful Perry strutting around our property, hearing his funny not-quite-right crowing.

Our daughter has a friend with a farmer grandpa. That farm has lots of chickens and roosters, and the grandpa has agreed to take Perry. There are no young children there for Perry to pick on... here’s hoping that it all works out ok.

BIG QUESTION: Perry came home with another chick from the same hatch. She is our smallest hen, extremely shy, and incredibly attached to Perry. They stay side-by-side almost all the time, whether in the pen, in the run, or out loose in the yard and fields. What will poor little Petunia do when Perry goes to live somewhere else? Will she be OK?

 

[bobbi-j]

We actually specifically did NOT want a rooster. Perry was purchased from a group listed “pullets only “, but he clearly was not a pullet. (His original name was Periwinkle, which was shortened to Perry as soon as we realized that she was a he). We have lots of space and thought we might be able to manage life with a rooster. We did know that roosters sometimes turn aggressive, so we are not surprised ... just disappointed. We have really enjoyed watching beautiful Perry strutting around our property, hearing his funny not-quite-right crowing.

Our daughter has a friend with a farmer grandpa. That farm has lots of chickens and roosters, and the grandpa has agreed to take Perry. There are no young children there for Perry to pick on... here’s hoping that it all works out ok.

BIG QUESTION: Perry came home with another chick from the same hatch. She is our smallest hen, extremely shy, and incredibly attached to Perry. They stay side-by-side almost all the time, whether in the pen, in the run, or out loose in the yard and fields. What will poor little Petunia do when Perry goes to live somewhere else? Will she be OK?

Little Petunia will adjust, eventually. Chickens don't like change, so she may be "off" for a bit, but she'll get over it.

 

[old chief]

cull or rehome, its not always about protecting hens some roosters are just mean. I have 6 buff roosters that are in a separate pen waiting to go into the freezer when I went to feed this evening one of them tried to attack me. it could have been my 9 year old daughter his freezer date just moved up.

 

[aart]

Some males are just nasty, some get 'coddled' too much from the get go.
Great that you have a place to get rid of him easily.

Petunia should adjust with time, she may be low bird depending on her age and demeanor.

Best of cLuck!

 

[Altfrizzle]

I'd get nasty if a woman kept coming over and feeding my hubby his supper and sweet talking him.

That's brilliantly said!

I have a flock of Silkies and Sizzles and they're pretty chill, but I commonly give treats to my head rooster to give to his girls.

I've also taught my kids (13 and 17 yr olds at home) to pick up the cockerels frequently, carry them around and at any sign of challenge, hold them to the ground with their heads held down. This has worked, in that none of the cockerels challenge anybody anymore.

That said, these are Silkies and Sizzles, which are not breeds known for aggression in general. I had 2 that were half Rhode Island Reds before, and re-homed them. RIR roosters are known for their aggression.

Also, there's too many sweet cockerels/roosters out there to tolerate a nasty one.