Teenage Roo Behavior

[HelloGiggles]

Hello!

Posting as a first time rooster owner and lover in hopes that I can get some guidance on properly raising an outstanding gentleman instead of a rowdy little dude.

My husband and I have a 24 week old silkie rooster that we have raised from a chick who we absolutely LOVE. We didn't intend on getting a rooster but he was our "oops this chick is crowing" surprise and we always knew there was a possibility our chicks could be miss-sexed. I had done a lot of reading on the benefits of roos and we welcomed this addition to our flock!

His name is Blue and he has been adorable and loving all 23 weeks long - loves to be petted, picked up, and does little dances when he sees me coming outside to greet him.
In the last week or so, he has started to see my husband as a threat and has been trying to bite and spur him when he comes outside. Blue is tiny so this is not actually dangerous... Yet? But he has also behaved this way toward our dog suddenly, which is obviously concerning. Our dog is nothing but gentle toward our chickens and stays away from them, honestly, so Blue has nothing to worry about and no reason to be attacking her.
I have read a lot about roosters going through "puberty" and I imagine his little roo body is just raging with hormones, as he has started mounting our 7 ladies, so I can understand if he is just trying to figure it all out. However, yesterday he even jumped up and bit me in the leg when I left them out first thing in the morning and he is normally so sweet to me!

I LOVE THIS ROOSTER so much so I just want to know how I can best teach him to behave like a distinguished gentleman as he matures because I won't tolerate aggression. Right now, when he is mean we immediately pick him up and hold him firmly walking around the yard petting him and talking to him. He calms down right away and then is fine.
Is there anything else we should be doing?
Thank you in advance!!

 

[theoldchick]

My aggressive roosters lose petting rights and become livestock. They either learn to respect me via the fishnet(scoop them in the air) or go in the ground. I've taught my aggressive roosters to roost while I'm in the pen. I don't treat them like pets after they show aggression but I give them another behavior to perform to keep their minds off attacking me.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I think he's soup worthy. His behavior is just gonna keep escalating.

 

[Mrs. K]

Too late, but more than likely it would have never worked. You really won't love this bird, you love the bird he was. They are darling, we know. But once the hormones hit, they are no longer trustworthy. Nothing really changes that behavior. Most of us have kept one too long, just wishing he would be like he was. Not every rooster is like this, but a lot are.

IMO, roosters are a crap shoot no matter how you raise them. I tend to believe and follow the hands off, need to give me space of 4-5 feet type of raising. I tend to think that you get better roosters raised up in a multi-generational flock. But the truth of the matter is you can get a rotten rooster no matter what you do.

To keep him, you need to change. Wear long pants and shoes every time you go to the coop. A scoop shovel can offer protection at the ankles. Beware of where he is all the time, they often will sneak up on you from the back. Do not bend down and put your face at risk. Do not allow children anywhere near him, especially small children.

I keep chickens for my enjoyment, I do not take abuse from anything. But we all come to terms with roosters in our own way. Rotten roosters have ruined the whole chicken experience for a lot of people.

Mrs K

 

[Chicken_tiger_catt]

Hello!

Posting as a first time rooster owner and lover in hopes that I can get some guidance on properly raising an outstanding gentleman instead of a rowdy little dude.

My husband and I have a 24 week old silkie rooster that we have raised from a chick who we absolutely LOVE. We didn't intend on getting a rooster but he was our "oops this chick is crowing" surprise and we always knew there was a possibility our chicks could be miss-sexed. I had done a lot of reading on the benefits of roos and we welcomed this addition to our flock!

His name is Blue and he has been adorable and loving all 23 weeks long - loves to be petted, picked up, and does little dances when he sees me coming outside to greet him.
In the last week or so, he has started to see my husband as a threat and has been trying to bite and spur him when he comes outside. Blue is tiny so this is not actually dangerous... Yet? But he has also behaved this way toward our dog suddenly, which is obviously concerning. Our dog is nothing but gentle toward our chickens and stays away from them, honestly, so Blue has nothing to worry about and no reason to be attacking her.
I have read a lot about roosters going through "puberty" and I imagine his little roo body is just raging with hormones, as he has started mounting our 7 ladies, so I can understand if he is just trying to figure it all out. However, yesterday he even jumped up and bit me in the leg when I left them out first thing in the morning and he is normally so sweet to me!

I LOVE THIS ROOSTER so much so I just want to know how I can best teach him to behave like a distinguished gentleman as he matures because I won't tolerate aggression. Right now, when he is mean we immediately pick him up and hold him firmly walking around the yard petting him and talking to him. He calms down right away and then is fine.
Is there anything else we should be doing?
Thank you in advance!!View attachment 3928272

As this boy is still rather young, you may see some improvement over time. However, if he still behaves aggressively in six months to one year from now, he will probably never change and should be re homed or eaten.

 

[FrostRanger]

I third souping him. Behavior modification rarely works for fixing aggressive cockerel behavior and it's only likely to get worse. Not only that but he'll pass on his horrible attitude to any chicks he fathers

 

[Folly's place]

x4!
You are getting experience, seeing how he's developing from 'cute' to not so nice. Many of us put up with obnoxious cockerels when we started with chickens, and most of us learned that things won't get safer or better over time.
'Dancing' for you isn't so good, you are not a chicken, you are the giant who brings food! Genetic issues happen, and human aggression is a separate behavior from protecting from actual threats in his little brain.
The only 'sort of' good thing is that as a Silkie he can't fly up to an adult's eye level, like our first bantam rooster did every day, trying to get our faces. Yours can still do harm, and bending over will give him more opportunities to get your face, and children are closer to the ground too.
Raise some chicks next spring, you may get a nice cockerel out of a new group. Polite roosters are great!
Mary

 

[HelloGiggles]

Thank you all for your comments! I mean absolutely no disrespect but culling is not something we'll be considering, as our birds are pets to us. Worst case scenario, if the aggression continues, we would look to rehome him, but I don't know that we are at that point yet. Are there any tactics that have helped at this age/stage to teach him not to behave this way? And do roosters calm down after they have matured a bit?
Edit: We also do not have any children and are not planning on hatching any chicks from him so no concerns there!

 

[Folly's place]

@Beekissed has a good article about managing difficult roosters, and there are others. @Shadrach has a good article about rooster/ flock behavior generally, also very good. His management style differs from what many of us can do in a backyard setting, but still it's well worth reading.
And rehoming an aggressive rooster, if at all, must be very carefully done, with full disclosure.
We expect our cockerels and roosters to keep out of our way, and watch their flockmates, not dwell on us. We don't offer treats out of our hands. When out there, carry an object of some sort, which might 'accidently' bump a bird who comes too close, or doesn't move out of the way. Never walk around a bird, he needs to move out of your path instead.
And this bird will challenge every human in his path; if you convince him to avoid you, it won't translate into being polite towards anyone else.
Mary

 

[Mrs. K]

I thought you stated you would not tolerate aggressive behavior. You will need to do so. They are your birds, try some modifications and report back.