Rooster Trouble

[Lazy Farmer]

Anyone have any experience with squirt bottles and roosters?

Stop showing fear!
Grab a broom, gently subdue him to the ground. Pick him up. hold him tight. Carry him. Work with him.
They are like dogs in the aspect that if you show fear and run, the chase ensues. If you show ZERO FEAR and don't let them manipulate you, you will once again be on top of the totem pole. If you continue to let him be the head honcho, you will not be in charge.
This is coming from somebody with over 15 Roosters that were not all human friendly at one time or another.

 

[A.M. Eggs]

Ok, thank you guys! I have a broom that my chickens hate too. I might just tell the person to carry around the broom while checking on them.

 

[aart]

So I have a wonderful, cuddly barred rock rooster who has suddenly began attacking everyone who enters my coop.

This sounds like a classic....cuddling then attacking.
How old is this cock/erel?
Does he attack you too...your family members...or just strangers?

 

[A.M. Eggs]

He doesn't attack me but he attacks everyone else. Sometimes he will peck at my boots but so does every other chicken. He will be a year in August.

 

[Folly's place]

I wouldn't expect anyone to take on a situation where he or she is going to be attacked! Arrange things so this cockerel is confined while you are gone, and can be fed and watered safely by your friend. Best management means protecting everyone involved!
This bird is a big problem, IMO, and likely to escalate his obnoxious and dangerous behavior. That's not the issue here, exactly, so at least make this situation work out for all concerned.
Mary

 

[Peeps61]

My question would be why did he suddenly start this behavior? And, I agree with Mary, he'll be a big problem if he isn't retrained. It is his job to defend his hens, but not to attack the bringers of food. I have two fully grown boys who are not human aggressive to anyone, and a 13 week old cockerel who was hatched out from either one of the roosters. He's crowing and mounting the willing hens already, so I know the hormones are raging and he's not human aggressive either. NONE of these males were handled or cuddled as chicks. I left them alone, and I firmly believe that's why they leave me alone.

As far as taking care of the chickens while you're gone, I agree once more with Mary. He needs to be kept in such a way that he can be fed and watered without the caretaker being attacked. A week or so of confinement won't hurt him. He won't like it, but it won't hurt him.