Rooster turned mean

[Gretallottie]

I raised my rooster (red-black Arauncana) from an egg, handled him and his three girls all the time, managed to save his life when he developed Wry Neck Syndrome when he was ten weeks old (lots of vet bills, then Vitamin E and Selenium pills, and hand feeding and watering), and he would leap up onto my lap for corn treats, as did (and do) the girls. But at 11 months he began to look at me strangely when I'd pick up one of the girls, and then only a few weeks later he began to go for me. Pushing him hard out of the way with my foot worked for a few days, along with a water pistol, but then one day he REALLY went for me, and again and again and again, even when I feel over, legs bleeding, etc. Hen-expert/breeder/judge friend told me that often, but not always, various treatments could work - but whilst the rooster might then stop attacking ME, he would still go for other people. Having been quite literally terrorised by him, too scared then even to go outside (he and his wives were free-range), it wasn't one bit a hard decision to have him - my beloved pet (I thought) - put down, despite my sentimentality for my chickens. Now my three girls seem very happy, and I can go outside without being ttuerly terrified of him, as he began to stalk me from behind. I never thought he would turn into the genuinely scary bird he became so quickly (a matter of 2 or 3 weeks), but I am very relieved not to have him any more.

 

[Mrs. K]

Sherry d - this is going to get worse, not better. Eventually, he will be sizing up the others. Got to ask, what are you keeping him for? Until he really attacks someone and hurts an innocent person?

 

[Ryan A]

I have a bantam rooster that’s been perfectly friendly for the last 3 years, but suddenly in the last week he’s been attacking me. The flock free ranges, and we had a second standard sized rooster for most of the summer that was later killed, and the bantam’s behavior didn’t change when he was around. Now, though, we have several cockerels(too many probably, we’re trying to get rid of a few) that are just starting to crow, and I think he’s starting to feel like his position is being threatened. However, the bantam and the cockerels never fight, he only takes it out on me. If I walk by him, he’ll charge at me and jump at my feet with his claws out. He rarely makes contact and hasn’t hurt me, but I can’t let this behavior continue. There’s 4 other people in my household but he only does it to me. He does run away if I’m holding a broom or something similar, and usually backs down if I stand up to him, but he keeps doing it. What can I do to get this behavior to stop?

I suggest isolation until you figure it out

 

[Gretallottie]

Sherry d - this is going to get worse, not better. Eventually, he will be sizing up the others. Got to ask, what are you keeping him for? Until he really attacks someone and hurts an innocent person.

Sherry d - this is going to get worse, not better. Eventually, he will be sizing up the others. Got to ask, what are you keeping him for? Until he really attacks someone and hurts an innocent person?

Oh gosh, I thought I'd made it quite clear that he, uh, Is No More. He went to Hen Heaven the next day, which is why I am no longer terrified to go outside! No, I wouldn't dream of keeping such a dangerous creature, which is why my Hen Expert friend (breeder and judge) assured me that there was no alternative but to, well, despatch him, which a friend very kindly did for me. Thank you for your kind advice, though.

 

[Mrs. K]

My mistake,

 

[Willow2253]

I suggest isolation until you figure it out

This thread is pretty old now, we’ve worked out the issues and my boy is back to being pretty friendly.

 

[Sally PB]

My roo has been getting cocky (haha). I am trying the "big stick" method. So far this is working! Last Friday I was ready to cull him.

 

[Brooks_]

Expert friend (breeder and judge)

Sorry. The dark side of just thought how funny it be for a roo to turn at the show.

 

[writerskramp]

I have a bantam rooster that’s been perfectly friendly for the last 3 years, but suddenly in the last week he’s been attacking me. The flock free ranges, and we had a second standard sized rooster for most of the summer that was later killed, and the bantam’s behavior didn’t change when he was around. Now, though, we have several cockerels(too many probably, we’re trying to get rid of a few) that are just starting to crow, and I think he’s starting to feel like his position is being threatened. However, the bantam and the cockerels never fight, he only takes it out on me. If I walk by him, he’ll charge at me and jump at my feet with his claws out. He rarely makes contact and hasn’t hurt me, but I can’t let this behavior continue. There’s 4 other people in my household but he only does it to me. He does run away if I’m holding a broom or something similar, and usually backs down if I stand up to him, but he keeps doing it. What can I do to get this behavior to stop?

It's Spring.. Good luck. Boot don't work. A crinkly bag or bucket does.. most times. His sons got tired of his antics and protect me.. Now the King of the run is a Jersey Giant, now he runs from me.. He can draw blood through blue jeans.. Heads up.