Topic of the Week - Aggressive Roosters: What is the best way to handle them?

[newhamplover]

I have read this whole thread & other threads on here about aggressive roosters. I have no doubt there are plenty of them but I also wonder if planting so many seeds in peoples minds, that so many roos are aggressive, isn't some of the problem. Any animal is great at detecting someone who is timid or apprehensive around it. If you are afraid of something or think you may need to be on the lookout for something, isn't creating some of the problem. I have been around chickens all my life & I have never seen an aggressive roo. My Grandpa had all kinds, my Dad had game chickens. I played among all of them & never did any come at me. The only chicken aggression I ever got as a child was from a mother hen with her chicks that let me know real quick to stay back from her babies. I think if you are afraid of something, or think you may need to be afraid of it, then it might not be the thing to be around. I am afraid of snakes...I am sure not going to try to keep one as a pet. Roos are not hens, bulls are not cows, stud horses are not geldings or mares. Their behaviors are all very different. I think it was FDR who said 'the greatest fear you have is fear itself". If I was uncomfortable around any animal then I wouldn't have it to begin with.

 

[teresa toth]

You've hit the nail on the point. That must be it. I bet my 200 lb, 6 foot + husband was scared and acting timid--that must be why he got attacked all those times. Of course, he never backed down, and never left the encounter without the rooster backing down. I wonder if that might have had anything to do with it.

 

[newhamplover]

You've hit the nail on the point. That must be it. I bet my 200 lb, 6 foot + husband was scared and acting timid--that must be why he got attacked all those times. Of course, he never backed down, and never left the encounter without the rooster backing down. I wonder if that might have had anything to do with it.

I'm sure the roo was no match for your 200 lb. 6 foot + husband.

 

[Lisa Wood]

Can someone please explain what "good to the hens" looks like? How about "too aggressive with the hens"? Or " mean to the hens?"

 

[bobbi-j]

Can someone please explain what "good to the hens" looks like? How about "too aggressive with the hens"? Or " mean to the hens?"

The young cockerel you asked about in this post: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1128834/is-it-me-or-the-rooster is acting like a hormonal young cockerel does. They mature faster than the pullets, are ready for action, but the pullets aren't - hence, the "screaming" from the pullet. Chicken mating is not pretty, and chicken society in general isn't always cute and fluffy.

"Good to the hens" with a mature rooster can involve him "tidbitting" (calling the girls over for a treat when he finds one), alerting to danger, not being too rough with them when mating. Yes, he will still grab onto the back of her neck and climb up, but he won't be yanking feathers out, or bullying them.

"Too aggressive or mean" to the hens can mean viciously pulling out feathers, constantly pecking or bullying them, or pinning them down and pecking them. Once you get used to chicken behavior, you will be able to tell the difference.

 

[kysilkies]

Can someone please explain what "good to the hens" looks like? How about "too aggressive with the hens"? Or " mean to the hens?"

It shouldn't sound like the "first" or "worst" time, everytime. He should be willing to die for her. And share found treats!

Mean is anything less, aggressive is obvious behavior you want to stop.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Bobbi-j is right. Also from what I've heard a good roo will do the tidbitting, like bobbi said, as well trying to woo the hens by doing the dance, etc. Before mating versus just chasing and mating them. Of course even good roos will occasionally just grab and mate but they should try to woo them first. And of course alerting to danger like bobbi said.

 

[PrairieChickens]

Can someone please explain what "good to the hens" looks like? How about "too aggressive with the hens"? Or " mean to the hens?"

A rooster who is good to the hens will keep a watchful eye out for predators, find treats and share them, and only mate when the hen he's interested in gives him permission.

Roosters who run down and grab hens against their will get culled from my flock.

 

[3girlz]

Bobbi-j is right. Also from what I've heard a good roo will do the tidbitting, like bobbi said, as well trying to woo the hens by doing the dance, etc. Before mating versus just chasing and mating them. Of course even good roos will occasionally just grab and mate but they should try to woo them first. And of course alerting to danger like bobbi said.

I

I think I have a bad roo then ! He chases the older hen down and she has submitted but he excludes her from food , the coop ect
And he keeps putting everyone in the coop ! Like 3-4 times a day !! I'm not sure what's up !! He's been fine with her since he was 10 weeks old . However we lost the alpha hen so to speak which was "Clara's " best friend and all of the sudden the chicks took over and they aren't friendly !!

 

[centrarchid]

I think we are starting down the road of not knowing natural chickens behaviors again.