Rooster turned mean

[Willow2253]

Squirt gun! Or spray bottle, if you can't nab him up. Just ideas. In the past I have relentlessly chased an aggressive boy after an attack. Even if I couldn't catch him. I now know that is a controversial approach. I didn't know batter at the time. I can't say that it worked 100% of the time. My boys only got a couple chances before they were dinner, but I had plenty to choose from. Eventually bred aggression out of my flock.

I do like the idea of a squirt gun He doesn’t seem to get the message when I stand up to him, so I think water is going to be the way to go. It’s cold out so it’ll probably only take a little to deter him.

 

[Mrs. K]

It will either get better or it won't, it will then get worse. Be realistic about him and those around him. Most generally, roosters do tend to attack just one person, but often times they move on. Try a few things and if that doesn't work, let him go.

Mrs K

 

[Sally PB]

Eventually bred aggression out of my flock.

How many generations did that take? My cockerel is NOT a cuddler, and I still have to occasionally remind him I am the boss (he's 7 months). But he's good with the girls.

I wasn't planning to breed, but the thought has crossed my mind. All the cute chick pics are making that thought cross a lot more often now.

 

[RainbowHen]

How many generations did that take? My cockerel is NOT a cuddler, and I still have to occasionally remind him I am the boss (he's 7 months). But he's good with the girls.

I wasn't planning to breed, but the thought has crossed my mind. All the cute chick pics are making that thought cross a lot more often now.

Not many at all. By 3 years time I had a peaceful flock. I culled ruthlessly, however. I hatched year round. Mixed breed flock. They got 2 chances. I understand hormones, but if they confronted me a third time that was it. Game over. I had as many as 15 boys at a time in my flock. Older, polite roos helped a lot to teach the younger buttheads. They were not expected to be friends but they were expected to coexist with minimal harassment to each other and especially to the girls. I don't tolerate boys that abuse the girls. I don't mind boys that are not cuddlers, I prefer it. You come at me with spurs, though, you just might wind up in the freezer.

 

[microchick]

I have a LOT of roosters and one rule. Behave yourself and I'll be the sweetest treat lady on the face of the Earth to you but cross me and I'll be your worst nightmare.

I have both OEGB SDW bantams in my flock along with Amish barnyard mixes and Egyptian Fayoumis. My bantam boys (I have I think 10 as of last count) are little angels but mainly because I handle them from birth. One of them spent the summer bringing me gifts when I entered the run and laying them at my feet. I had a collection of wheat stalks and odd shaped pine chips. I don't think he was having much luck with the bantam hens so he was trying to impress me.

Recently I had a Fayoumi / Amish barnyard cross cockerel try the limits with me. Nothing overly violent. He would just peck or bite when I picked him up. Unacceptable behavior in my flock and I've had a couple of the little guys try the same thing. I treat them all the same way when they do that. They get dangled by their heels for about 5 minutes then I set them down on a flat surface and push them down so their breast touch the ground. They have to submit to this exercise. If they fight or try to peck or bite again, it's repeated. It generally takes one time with the bantams for this process to have the desired effect. My stubborn cockerel took three times before he got the message and stopped biting. The last time I walked towards him he took off in the opposite direction like his tail feathers were on fire.

That's acceptable behavior to me with a problem rooster. He doesn't have to like me but by golly he will respect me and stay away from me or else.

You don't want your little guy to get the upper hand. Don't show fear around him when he comes at you. Be ready if he does though and try to catch him so you can work with him.

Be glad he isn't a big Rhode Island Red rooster with an attitude.

 

[Sally PB]

Rainbow Hen, thank you for the info.

 

[RainbowHen]

Rainbow Hen, thank you for the info.

Anytime

 

[Willow2253]

Well the banty got wet a couple of times before the weather turned too cold for me to drench him in good conscience. Then I carried the broom and he stayed away. The real problem turned out to be the bitey cockerel. Got rid of him yesterday and it’s been pretty peaceful since. I’m hoping to send off a couple more cockerels that we don’t need to a new home tomorrow as well.

 

[microchick]

Glad you found a solution to your problem roosters. My one that was giving me grief stopped with the dangle by his heels solution followed by getting knocked sideways the next time he tried to bite me. Sometimes a good hard smack will solve a multitude of rooster problems. Now he sees me enter the coop and he is exiting through the pop door at warp 8 speeds. As long as I can handle him (and I have since cracking down on him) safely, that is acceptable behavior as far as I am concerned.

 

[sherry d]

My rooster started charging my daughter, who helps in the pen. The next couple of days he started charging me. I have fended him off, but it is stressful trying to work in the pen and keep one eye on him. He does not charge my husband or my grandson. The other rooster is peaceful toward us. They are beautiful,but I am getting tired of the attacks.