This is one topic I haven't written an article about yet. It's one of the most common issues here on BYC.
I've had eight roosters over the past nine years of chicken keeping, and each one taught me a lot. From the very first one, Stan, a SLW who sparred with me every day, to Strawberry, a Cream Legbar, who is the perfect gentleman, I've learned a lot about what not to do, which is probably more important than what to do.
- What was your experience(s) with aggressive roosters and what did you try/do to remedy it?
Stan, my first, from the time he came into his hormones, was combative and would attack me repeatedly. Back then, all I knew was to brush him off and keep trying to discourage him by fighting with him. It was exhausting, to say the least, and absolutely the wrong approach.
Since then, I've learned that a young cockerel is best ignored from the time he first comes into his hormones. He will usually signal that he wishes to be left alone by evading your attempts to handle him. This will mark a sudden personality change after being a cuddly, affectionate chick. Respect that clue. You can probably head off a lot of misunderstandings by just leaving him alone to sort out his role as flock protector. This approach has served me well with my present roo Strawberry.
- Should aggressive roosters be rehabilitated, rehomed, or invited for dinner?
I did have two cockerels that required a lot of rehabilitation because I wanted to keep them. Each had opposite issues. Penrod, a Buff Brahma, was a biter, and Darrell, a Black Cochin, was neurotic and fearful. Daily sessions with each worked miracles and by the time they were a year old, each was respectable.
With the biter, I modified my own behavior and was purposefully slow and precise in my movements around him. Some cockerels are very nervous and will react to the abrupt and erratic behavior of the flock keeper. Often this is half the problem with unruly cockerels. Teaching the cockerel what is unacceptable behavior by restraining him until he calms down is the other half. These boys are fast learners, as a rule, and consistent discipline will usually set them on the proper path.
With the fearful one, I had daily sessions with him where I would offer him treats and gradually gain his trust, slowly showing him it was okay to be handled and nothing bad was going to happen to him if I touched him.
Two young cockerels were rehomed last summer in order to keep my flock manageable. This is the option I choose over culling, but I emphasize it's a personal choice and either is acceptable flock management.
I can't recommend a course of action for every person with every cockerel and rooster. So much depends on flock management goals and patience capacity of the flock owner. Suffice to say there are many options available to fit the needs of each flock and flock manager.
