Rooster troubles!

[bluemooneggs]

I have a Buff Brahma roo that i have hand raised scence he was a day old chick. I got the breed because it said they were gentle giants, and he is not turning out to be so gentle. He is 7 months old now and is starting to act aggressive. I cant get near him or the hens without him attacking me. I tried walking away slowly from him and he started running after me. If i dont run then when i turn my back he jumps on me with his feet out and starts pecking. I dont know what to do. Is there any way to change his behavior?

 

[PlantJoySeeds]

OMG, I was just checking in to ask advice for exactly the same thing....same breed, same age, same circumstance I will be very interested in any replies to this thread!

 

[Amarisus]

If it were me he'd go in the crock pot BUT I know alot of people don't like doing that so heres a few things that might help, I've heard picking them up and holding them until they calm down helps or cradling them like a baby. I used to have one who would carge me every now and then, I'd give him a good kick and chase him around a bit to show him whose boss after that he would usually leave me alone. But I've heard doing that isn't the best idea (it worked for me but different roosters respond to different things). Once they start attacking unfortunately its really hard to get them to stop

You could always rehome him to someone who is more willing to put up with that and get a nicer roo (they are out there trust me) What ever you decide I hope it all works out for you good luck!

 

[bluemooneggs]

Is there a breed anybody would suggest that is not aggressive? How about Ameraucana or welsummer?

 

[Amarisus]

I have three marans roosters and a cochin and they are all very nice, I've never been attacked or have even seen them attempt to attack anyone (even when we grab their hens). I take my 8 month old son out with me while they free range and he shrieks and squeals in excitment and they don't freak out or anthing, they just look up then go about their business.The roo I mentioned who used to charge me was an easter egger. Those are just what I have experience with I'm sure there are lots of other friendly breeds. hopefully someone with more experience will help you out

Good luck!

 

[bj taylor]

i haven't been there, done that yet. my roo is 6 wks old. i'm thinking about this quite a bit. my first tactic is going to act like they do. i see them mock challenge each other alot. sometimes they get physical. sorting out the pecking order & all that. i'm going to use whatever is at hand to back him up & not turn my back on him. if i have to take a broom into the run with me, so be it.
i'm going to back him up even when he's minding his own business - just like they do each other. i'm going to make some kind of dominant posture toward him every time i go in the run to remind him that his pecking order isn't at the top. i'll nudge him off the feeder/waterer, off his perch, make him move.
if he comes at me, i'm going to over-react, make big noise, throw my arms big & wide, make a big deal out of it & make it an unpleasant experience for him.
i think in the animal world, running is the worst thing you can do - it reinforces the behavior, and don't turn your back - face him off.

their brains have limited storage space, so i figure they need frequent reminder of who's boss.
i'm probably going to be eating my words - but that's the plan at the moment.

 

[ceeceeholt]

I had a cuckoo marans do the same thing to me. I tried for days to "tame" him, but he ended up in the freezer. I have a game hatch roo that is excellent, so gentle and very good to the ladies

 

[n8ivetxn]

I recently bought 4 Salmom Faverolles. They're about 10 months old. The roo has gotten more aggressive toward me in the month since I brought them home.....I usually lean towards him when he comes at me, I force him to give up ground. If he ever jumps me, that'll be it for him. I understand he's in a new environment and trying to care for his ladies, but I won't have it.....There are too many good roos that need a home...

I was standing near the hens last week, not paying much attention to him and he walked up and pecked me on the calf. I barely felt it, but later I looked at my leg and it was bleeding.... I was really hoping to hatch some eggs from them, but if he's aggressive, I think I might try to get eggs or a better roo from someone else.... I do not want to perpetuate that aggressive trait.

I also have a 10 month old Blue Copper Marans and Blue Wheatan Ameraucana, they're both great - and they get along very well! It's bizarre, actually.....

 

[PlantJoySeeds]

I wanted to update y'all on our attack rooster. I'm very happy to report that he's his old sweet again! My daughter (13) and I have worked diligently, using techniques and tips we picked up from here all week, and it seems to have worked! We have all been able to walk around him and he doesn't act aggressive and hasn't attacked any of us at all since we started 'working on him'. I've taken to calling my daughter, "the rooster whisperer"!

 

[n8ivetxn]

Congratulations! That's nice to hear... I'll try incorporating some of those techniques.....