Teenage Roo Behavior

[UpstateChickenDaddy]

Similar question and yes I know the stewpot is an option although not for me personally. Charles will sit there and eat with me when I feed everyone. But turn my back on him anywhere he thinks there is a hen and I’ll be charged. I noticed it first when I would go in the coop while a hen was in the nesting box. Today we all had a fun feeding time and I was leaving, but there was a hen near the door. In retrospect I should have just let the hen leave first. As I walked towards the door he charged me from behind. I always have boots and long pants on so no damage but he did not want to back off.

I want a roo. He is 8 months old and I know he is hormonal. I will keep him for now but how long should I wait. My observation is he is just wildly protective of his hens. When the wind scares them or I scare them (like I did yesterday cleaning out the henhouse for spring) they all cluster behind him in one of the corners of the run. I therefore cannot fault him for being roo. A roo is what a roo is. I will adopt him out if needed but when in general will I know if this is hormonal or permanent behaviour? One year? Six months (he is 8)?

 

[DLA]

You have to show him he's not in charge - you are. If you watch how chickens interact and exert dominance over each other that gives you what you need to do to attempt to curb his behavior. Typically you should start exerting your dominance as soon as you realize you have a rooster. It doesn't always work and considering his age this may or may not work. He may continue to try and challenge you. Don't run from him. Flap your arms and like chickens flap their wings and run at him. Be prepared to grab him. Wear long sleeves, pants, hand, eye and head protection. Don't hurt him but grab him by the feathers on the back of his neck and with the other hand hold him to the ground till he stops struggling. Repeat this every time he challenges you. Do not let him win ever. If after a reasonable amount of time/attempts he still won't stop he won't learn and should go.

 

[Folly's place]

@UpstateChickenDaddy, your cockerel is not behaving well, and MIGHT improve, but most likely will only get worse, much worse. If you convince him to avoid/ respect you, he will still take on any other humans he meets, and can seriously injure especially children. If you do move him on elsewhere, only with full disclosure!
He's not 'protecting' those pullets, he's attacking you because it's who he now is. Making excuses for him, not a good idea.
Mary

 

[UpstateChickenDaddy]

Luckily just me and no kids. That said I am hearing you. I can’t have an aggressive beast.

 

[Mrs. K]

How long? When you get thoroughly sick of being abused and attacked and decide not to take it anymore. No one likes to cull an animal, we get that. But I at least, really do not like being attacked either.

Most of here, have kept a rotten rooster way too long...the first time. When you get completely sick of that, you will make the decision. Thing is, afterwards, you are going to wonder what took you so long.

Right now, you are still in love with the chick he was. You can keep that, those memories will still be there. Once they change, they do not change back, and he is no longer that chick.

Mrs K

 

[Twilia]

Similar question and yes I know the stewpot is an option although not for me personally. Charles will sit there and eat with me when I feed everyone. But turn my back on him anywhere he thinks there is a hen and I’ll be charged. I noticed it first when I would go in the coop while a hen was in the nesting box. Today we all had a fun feeding time and I was leaving, but there was a hen near the door. In retrospect I should have just let the hen leave first. As I walked towards the door he charged me from behind. I always have boots and long pants on so no damage but he did not want to back off.

I want a roo. He is 8 months old and I know he is hormonal. I will keep him for now but how long should I wait. My observation is he is just wildly protective of his hens. When the wind scares them or I scare them (like I did yesterday cleaning out the henhouse for spring) they all cluster behind him in one of the corners of the run. I therefore cannot fault him for being roo. A roo is what a roo is. I will adopt him out if needed but when in general will I know if this is hormonal or permanent behaviour? One year? Six months (he is 8)?

Culling isn't for everyone, and that is okay, even admirable.

It is okay to take advice; some is good and some is awful.

Remember everyone's a unique situation. 'They" don't know your roo, the experience or the set-up; You do. I trust you will do the best thing after you understand this better
Check out these helpful articles:

Ask about Roosters: How to Deal with Aggression, Explained.

After realizing the need for clarity, I decided to create an article for those of you who have roos with behavior issues, those thinking about adding one to your flock, or if you are just curious since the issue is natural to come up for each of us in even the most docile of males. It is...

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Understanding Your Rooster.

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I wish all roosterists could read these.

_Twilia;-)