Roosters and woman not getting along

[Rick589]

Well, at about 6 months old our BO roosters and my woman are at odds with one another. I don’t have any issues with them, we’ve come to terms early on, however she is still being squared off with from time to time by both of our roosters. This has led to multiple conversations about the proper approach, and in short my advice is to make sure they understand who is the alpha, by whatever reasonable means. We are looking for any advice from others on an approach she can employ to gain the upper hand.

 

[WingItRanch]

Honestly, it's probably not because of her approach (unless she's running from him). More likely is that he's just getting bolder. Human aggressive Cockerels/Roosters target kids first and then smaller women and will eventually try for the full grown man. If he's showing signs of being aggressive, he may just get worse. He's going through puberty right now and that's typically when the aggression starts.

Everyone here will have different advice. Most will tell you to get rid of him because there are plenty of good roosters out there. Some will tell you to pick him up and give him treats. I'm not a fan of this method because 1) that gets him closer to your face where he can inflict more damage and 2) it's rewarding bad behavior.

I have an 8 month old cockerel that flogged me once. I'm a small woman. I calmly walked towards him and used this method:

This was a few weeks ago and he hasn't shown me aggression since BUT I will say it will not work on every cockerel and I'm not even sure if this is a permanent solution. I'm fully prepared to dispatch him if aggression continues. Every one is an individual so what may work for one chicken, won't for another.

 

[Rick589]

Honestly, it's probably not because of her approach (unless she's running from him). More likely is that he's just getting bolder. Human aggressive Cockerels/Roosters target kids first and then smaller women and will eventually try for the full grown man. If he's showing signs of being aggressive, he may just get worse. He's going through puberty right now and that's typically when the aggression starts.

Everyone here will have different advice. Most will tell you to get rid of him because there are plenty of good roosters out there. Some will tell you to pick him up and give him treats. I'm not a fan of this method because 1) that gets him closer to your face where he can inflict more damage and 2) it's rewarding bad behavior.

I have an 8 month old cockerel that flogged me once. I'm a small woman. I calmly walked towards him and used this method:

This was a few weeks ago and he hasn't shown me aggression since BUT I will say it will not work on every cockerel and I'm not even sure if this is a permanent solution. I'm fully prepared to dispatch him if aggression continues. Every one is an individual so what may work for one chicken, won't for another.

Thank You. They do eat from her hands and are not always being aggressive, just periodically, so it isn’t as though their lying in wait for her. I’ve taken to holding them and once in your arms they become fairly docile. As far as any aggressive behavior towards me they usually get a backhand, more of a push really. My suggestion is to let me get hold of one them and hand him over to her to hold for a while.

 

[cj2024]

Well, at about 6 months old our BO roosters and my woman are at odds with one another. I don’t have any issues with them, we’ve come to terms early on, however she is still being squared off with from time to time by both of our roosters. This has led to multiple conversations about the proper approach, and in short my advice is to make sure they understand who is the alpha, by whatever reasonable means. We are looking for any advice from others on an approach she can employ to gain the upper hand.

I think bloodline is the most important when it comes to a rooster's behavior. Some roosters are good natured, and some are crazy, and I believe those traits are in bred.

 

[cj2024]

Honestly, it's probably not because of her approach (unless she's running from him). More likely is that he's just getting bolder. Human aggressive Cockerels/Roosters target kids first and then smaller women and will eventually try for the full grown man. If he's showing signs of being aggressive, he may just get worse. He's going through puberty right now and that's typically when the aggression starts.

Everyone here will have different advice. Most will tell you to get rid of him because there are plenty of good roosters out there. Some will tell you to pick him up and give him treats. I'm not a fan of this method because 1) that gets him closer to your face where he can inflict more damage and 2) it's rewarding bad behavior.

I have an 8 month old cockerel that flogged me once. I'm a small woman. I calmly walked towards him and used this method:

This was a few weeks ago and he hasn't shown me aggression since BUT I will say it will not work on every cockerel and I'm not even sure if this is a permanent solution. I'm fully prepared to dispatch him if aggression continues. Every one is an individual so what may work for one chicken, won't for another.

This didn't work for me; my rooster was a man eater.

 

[No Coop No Problem]

They do eat from her hands and are not always being aggressive

I've heard that roosters see hand-feeding as submissive behavior, which may mark someone for attacking in the future

 

[Folly's place]

I've tried every 'retraining' plan with different obnoxious birds, and all failed over time. I don't hand feed or try to make pets, especially with the cockerels, although it may not matter either way. I expect the cockerels and roosters to be interested in their flockmates and avoid me as I walk around out there.
We've gone from trying to 'retrain', to 'three strikes and you're out', to zero tolerance.
Mary

 

[Mrs. K]

Once the aggression starts, it is too late. Do you have a multi-generational flock or are these flock mates? Flock mate cockerels often don’t turn out.

The best way you get a flock master is not to keep a rotten rooster. I would suggest nixing the hand feeding, but like a previous poster, I too believe on experience,once the start they being aggressive, they get worse. They have a very small brain to work with. At best you can train the people to protect themselves. Not to long ago, a young person was pretty determined to train the aggression and worked months with him without success.

You get the best roosters with a sharp knife.

Mrs K

 

[Folly's place]

Also, you are now getting valuable experience in recognizing early signs in birds who escalate into actual attack behaviors. Your next set of cockerels will be easier to evaluate sooner, before anyone is injured! Attacks don't come out of nowhere, these birds start thinking bad thoughts much sooner, sometimes months sooner.
And idiots who attack the giants who bring food are not worth feeding! That's what crockpots are good for, either yours, or someone else's.
Mary

 

[Rick589]

Once the aggression starts, it is too late. Do you have a multi-generational flock or are these flock mates? Flock mate cockerels often don’t turn out.

The best way you get a flock master is not to keep a rotten rooster. I would suggest nixing the hand feeding, but like a previous poster, I too believe on experience,once the start they being aggressive, they get worse. They have a very small brain to work with. At best you can train the people to protect themselves. Not to long ago, a young person was pretty determined to train the aggression and worked months with him without success.

You get the best roosters with a sharp knife.

Mrs K