Spurred Again!

[TheRealWitwiki]

"The Boss" has done it again! I just went out to the coop too feed the chickens, minding my own business and it happened. I saw the warning signs. The look in his eyes said this is my territory. I ignored him and casually walked to the feed trough. I usually sprinkle some feed away from the trough to distract him. I turned my back to him. Big mistake. I heard the flapping and felt the instant pain yet again. Yes one of the spurs got me in the back of my right leg. Had I listened to the article I read yesterday (the article I rated five stars and commented on) I would have avoided this. I did keep my composure this time and didn't fight back like I usually do. See me and the boss have been at war. We stare each other down like a western gun fight. Most times I'm a faster draw. Not today my friends. Today he is the champion. Had I slipped on my muck boots I may not have ended up with a bruised leg and a puncture wound. Tip of the day...don't wear your gym shoes to feed the chickens. Even though the hens were pretty impressed by my stylish gear now I have the battle scars. Not to mention my expensive sneaks are covered in chicken manure. It's ok though I still love the boss. Hopefully he shapes up. Maybe he never will. I don't know. I have plenty of battle stories for another day. Anyone else have a vicious Rooster out there. Any suggestions?

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I never keep a rooster that is violent to me or anyone. They are always culled and eaten.

 

[microchick]

Spurs are dangerous puncture wounds. The retired nurse in me wants to warn you that you that I hope you flushed the wound, especially if it is a penetrating puncture, with peroxide or with betadine and keep it covered with ample antibiotic ointment on it. Even then you may wind up with a nasty, painful wound that takes forever to heal.

Yeah, been there done that, got the scar to prove it on the fleshy part of my calf. I was a victim of a behind my back assault also.

Those spurs are just loaded with bacteria. For safety sake, you need to make a decision about 'the boss'. Either say bye bye to him and cull him or set about getting him to respect you and keep his distance from you when you are in the coop or run.

When I went into the house and when DH saw the puncture wound I had on my leg he realized that my reports of 'that 'bleeping' rooster came at me again when I wasn't looking' were right on the mark. He went into the run with me that same night and when the rooster took a run at him, he was ready. The bully found himself launched in the air about 15 feet, bounced off the chain link fencing, did a tail over teacup tumble and came up with a surprised look on his face. Last time he bothered either me or my better half. He kept his distance whenever I was around him from that point on.

Point being, your roo isn't going to have a revelation that he is being a turd and stop his attacks. You are either going to have to become the dominant flock leader or he needs to be given his walking papers before he does more harm than he has already done.

I've culled or given away more roosters for aggression than I care to admit. In fact I have one that is on the cusp of leaving this realm of existence not because of aggression towards me but towards other smaller roosters. There are just too many nice roosters around to put up with one who isn't nice even after you have given him every chance in the world to settle down and behave himself.

In the meantime, take care of that wound! And grow eyes in the back of your head! Whatever you do, I would advise you not to let any kids in with that rooster. They will be hurt.

 

[TheRealWitwiki]

Spurs are dangerous puncture wounds. The retired nurse in me wants to warn you that you that I hope you flushed the wound, especially if it is a penetrating puncture, with peroxide or with betadine and keep it covered with ample antibiotic ointment on it. Even then you may wind up with a nasty, painful wound that takes forever to heal.

Yeah, been there done that, got the scar to prove it on the fleshy part of my calf. I was a victim of a behind my back assault also.

Those spurs are just loaded with bacteria. For safety sake, you need to make a decision about 'the boss'. Either say bye bye to him and cull him or set about getting him to respect you and keep his distance from you when you are in the coop or run.

When I went into the house and when DH saw the puncture wound I had on my leg he realized that my reports of 'that 'bleeping' rooster came at me again when I wasn't looking' were right on the mark. He went into the run with me that same night and when the rooster took a run at him, he was ready. The bully found himself launched in the air about 15 feet, bounced off the chain link fencing, did a tail over teacup tumble and came up with a surprised look on his face. Last time he bothered either me or my better half. He kept his distance whenever I was around him from that point on.

Point being, your roo isn't going to have a revelation that he is being a turd and stop his attacks. You are either going to have to become the dominant flock leader or he needs to be given his walking papers before he does more harm than he has already done.

I've culled or given away more roosters for aggression than I care to admit. In fact I have one that is on the cusp of leaving this realm of existence not because of aggression towards me but towards other smaller roosters. There are just too many nice roosters around to put up with one who isn't nice even after you have given him every chance in the world to settle down and behave himself.

In the meantime, take care of that wound! And grow eyes in the back of your head! Whatever you do, I would advise you not to let any kids in with that rooster. They will be hurt.

Thanks for the advice. I have showed "the boss" who is boss several times now he just hasn't gotten the point. I just wasn't sure exactly what I could say in a post so I left out the details lol. Your description was pretty hilarious. I am not the only victim of his aggression so I wanted other keepers input on what they would do. It's hard to do away with an animal you raised from the beginning, but I understand getting rid of him or making him dinner may be the best option. Thanks again for the response!

 

[microchick]

No problem. I know it's tough. I love my roosters which is why I have so many of the little devils. My biggest is about 6 pounds and the smallest barely a pound. For the most part they are good boys and I teach them from the egg that I am the boss and the giver of treats. My flock leader, Twonky sees me coming from the house with a bowl in hand and starts calling the girls. He knows the treats are coming from that wonderful human person. He comes up to me and talks to me but never makes an aggressive move towards me and never has.

Have you tried dangling The Boss from his heels until ne relaxes then putting him down in a submissive position with his breast bone against the ground until he stops struggling, carrying him around in what I call the chicken walk of shame as they hate being carried around and then putting him back down, repeat if he gets out of line again? There is also the line of thought that a broom being carried works. I know my birds hate a broom with a passion. I've never had to use one in self defense but they hate it when I sweep down cobwebs.

The truth of the matter is that I truly believe that aggression is genetic in roosters, some breeds are more inclined to be broody than others and some breeds are more inclined to produce aggressive roosters.

If all else fails, dispatch the aggressive rooster and find a nice roo to take care of your girls. If you do it, do it without guilt. You will have given the rooster every chance in the book to change his ways.

 

[Abriana]

My boy Napoleon is a real fighter, he and I used to not get along, but after lots of indecisiveness on my part and his part about who was boss, I finally came out on top. But if you can't win, then you shouldn't keep him. Duct taping spurs really helps too. I don't worry about Napoleon attacking me anymore, but he has hurt the hens three or four times during mating with them so I keep them taped. It really helps to blunt them, and you will definitely feel more confidant around him when they are taped. Also be careful because spur wounds can get nastily infected and they take a long time to heal. Be sure to take care of yours! Best of luck to you and you roo

 

[TheRealWitwiki]

No problem. I know it's tough. I love my roosters which is why I have so many of the little devils. My biggest is about 6 pounds and the smallest barely a pound. For the most part they are good boys and I teach them from the egg that I am the boss and the giver of treats. My flock leader, Twonky sees me coming from the house with a bowl in hand and starts calling the girls. He knows the treats are coming from that wonderful human person. He comes up to me and talks to me but never makes an aggressive move towards me and never has.

Have you tried dangling The Boss from his heels until ne relaxes then putting him down in a submissive position with his breast bone against the ground until he stops struggling, carrying him around in what I call the chicken walk of shame as they hate being carried around and then putting him back down, repeat if he gets out of line again? There is also the line of thought that a broom being carried works. I know my birds hate a broom with a passion. I've never had to use one in self defense but they hate it when I sweep down cobwebs.

The truth of the matter is that I truly believe that aggression is genetic in roosters, some breeds are more inclined to be broody than others and some breeds are more inclined to produce aggressive roosters.

If all else fails, dispatch the aggressive rooster and find a nice roo to take care of your girls. If you do it, do it without guilt. You will have given the rooster every chance in the book to change his ways.

I have never held him upside down or carried him around. Honestly the only time I can approach him is when he is on roost at night. Even then he is uneasy when I go to touch him. I guess the main reason I haven't offed him yet is because he does a great job at protecting the hens. I let the chickens free range on my property occasionally and I have never had an incident yet. We have foxes, coyotes, raccoons, opossums, hawks, eagles and any other predator you can imagine roaming around our land. Even our outside cats are afraid to bother the hens when he is present. I do agree though a new Rooster would be a better choice than trying to tame this beast!

 

[New2Chicks97]

I have had rooster troubles before. We had a Buff Orpington that we raised from a chick. He was so aggressive. He started out attacking when our backs were turned. Before too long he was attacking any time he felt like it. The end of the line was when he flew at my daughter’s face and knocked her glasses off. No matter what we tried he didn’t back down or turn away. So he went to someone’s stew pot. I couldn’t bring myself to off him but I found someone who was processing their own meat birds and that is where he went.

We have a lovely rooster now. I got him from a breeder. His only flaw was being pet quality rather than breeding quality. So the breeder offers the pet quality roosters that are family friendly for free to anyone that wants to give a nice rooster a home. Since I didn’t care about show quality we gave one a home. He is watchful and protective with out being aggressive and attacking. He has never attacked even when my daughter grabs one of the girls. He makes noise and stays close but realizes that we aren’t the enemy.

Now our Silkie rooster is a sneaker. He will attack if he feels we are in his territory without cause. But he will not attack front on.....just when your back is turned and he can sneak up on you. He also will drop it if you turn to him and yell “no”. So I have started calling him “no-no”. He is only still alive because he does stop his nonsense when you stand your ground and say no. I won’t keep him around if he gets worse as I won’t risk my daughter getting hurt.

 

[TheRealWitwiki]

THE BOSS

 

[bbond]

View attachment 1728622
THE BOSS

The boss looks really yummy. I finally filled my really aggressive rooster a week or so ago. He was a nightmare. I tried literally every suggestion with little or no improvement. And whenever he did improve it was only for a few days. The last straw was when I had him separated from the hens because he was being too rough on them, and I went to feed him and he escaped his rooster palace and went running after my toddler and flogged me when I stood in front of her. He’s been a bad egg from the beginning, and I have no regrets or remorse for culling and eating him. I do try to use as much of the bird as I can and roosters have all those pretty feathers for crafts. So I honored his life to the best of my ability. One of these days I will have a nice rooster again and his name will be prince and he will be treated so