Scared Rooster

[Okaythen]

Recently my rooster has been acting strange. I always check all of my chickens’ crops before bed to make sure they’ve eaten enough (I’ve done this since they were chicks and never had any issues), but now my rooster has started pecking at me. He’s also stopped sleeping on his roost and has started sleeping on the floor of his sleeping area, which is raised off the ground. He’s an American Game, and nothing in his diet has changed. The only thing I can think of is the mice, about three days ago, I noticed a few running along the side of his cage at night. I’m not sure what’s going on; even in the mornings, when I’m just refilling his food and water, he still tries to attack me. I’ve tried to hold him and just let him get used to me, but after I put him down he just attacks me again.

 

[ella2025]

How old is he? I really don't know why he stopped roosting, but sometimes as a young rooster matures he will become aggressive for no reason.

 

[Artchickenlover21]

It's possible (depending on his age) his personality might have just naturally changed. That happens with roosters sometimes, they start off sweet but after growing up they turn mean. But there are other possibilities.

Have there been any big changes in the flock? Such as adding or subtracting chickens? Or a change in general or some event that might have stressed him out? Have you noticed anyone bullying or asserting themselves above him lately?