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

[bobbi-j]

Quite possibly so would you consider writing an article instead of posting in the thread (maybe with a link posted in the thread)? I for one would love to see it all in one place.

Me, too! Please?

 

[Cari C]

I can see this is an old thread, but I am not sure I'm doing things correctly. Will a get a response if I post a question here after all this time?

 

[ShrekDawg]

It's not that old, only a week old and still pretty active, so you should

 

[Cari C]

ohhh, I was looking at the last poster's "Join Date", LoL!! I am tired. So my rooster is 9 months old and has been being a bit of a jerk for about 3 months now. I don't think he's too bad, but am not sure. He is super good to my hens, lets them eat first, is quick and harmless when he mounts them, doesn't bother me all the time, but sometimes he rushes me. Do they all end up growing spurs? I have worked with dogs and horses most of my life, so I understand "walking through them", but sometimes I just don't want to! I only wear flip flops, I'm in Phoenix. He only actually pecked my foot once, so I kicked him, not hard, but he rolled under my mare and I think she clipped him too. He stays away from me if I am standing by her or if my large male friend is with me, but my son won't feed for me anymore, which is a pain. I try to just keep a broom with me and not go back at him, but can anyone tell me what he actually might do if I only stand my ground? I would love to pick him up, like I have read, but he's knows I am tentative and he is quick, runs away. I have sprayed him with the hose twice, he tends to keep distance after any kind of correction, but I prefer NOT to rile him up, he really is decent enough most of the time. I have 17 girls and they all free range with him in my back yard, roughly 1/6 acre.

 

[bobbi-j]

How old is your son? How much are you willing to put up with? If your son is a young child, is he not feeding because he's scared of the rooster?

Personally, I prefer not to have to be "armed" to go out and do chores. I want a rooster that will respect me and move away from me. Your cockerel is testing his boundaries. If you don't establish them very soon, he may become even more aggressive. I figure there are too many nice roosters out there that could use a home - I won't put up with one I can't trust.

 

[Cari C]

My son is 18, he's a tall, but quiet kid. The rooster never bothered him until he took a couple friends out to visit my horse. I am guessing that Tobias, my rooster, felt threatened with 3 tall kids, and was a jerk. Most of the time he does not rush me, but on the days he does, it is aggravating. Tell me what I need to do, and I will see if it works. I stand my ground and walk through him most of the time, but sometimes I just walk where he isn't. I don't like to kick him, but I don't do it hard, just sort of get the top of my foot under him and send him flying back a bit. Should I not do that? It is my last resort. He tends to give me a wide berth if I just quietly carry the broom. I thought maybe it was because I didn't hold him when he was younger. I am hesitant to send to the killers and get another, because he really is good to the girls, but I wasn't able to even pick them up for a month or two, I finally got fed up and I pick them up anyway. He hasn't bothered me about that in over a month. Thank you for helping. I just want to do the right thing. I always say it's just as easy to feed a good horse, as it is a bad one, so I am on-board with giving a good one a home if this guy is going to be too much trouble.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I think he could probably be rehabbed but what worries me is you and your kids can't even get to your horse sometimes, that's not right. I'd start by walking through him ALL the time, it needs to be consistent, and I'd recommend you do stop kicking and spraying him, that will only make him worse. You say he doesn't like to be picked up and knows you're tentative so runs? So seems to me that's what you need to work on most. Number 1 you cannot be tentative with him. He knows this and that's about the worst thing you could do. You need to show him that you are not afraid of him and you're boss. Even if this means you sometimes go out of your way to walk through him or chase a bit. Do not harass him or do this very often at all, just occasionally as a refresher. And number 2. You need to pick him up. Chase him down or corner him if you have to since you say he runs and you do want to try it. I would definitely recommend trying it. So this may mean you have a hard time of catching him at first but that's good because it will help to show him that you aren't tentative or afraid anymore and that you won't give in or give up till you catch him. And once you do catch him, carry him for a while. I would do it every single day even if it's just for a few minutes instead of 15 mins or half an hour. Try touching his comb and wattles too when you hold him. Not every time but sometimes. You are the boss and you can hold him or touch him anywhere and anytime you want. After he respects you, have everyone in the family do it, including your son and husband, especially your son. If that doesn't work get rid of him. Nobody needs a mean rooster around. But he's good to the hens and doesn't attack often or badly so there's hope. But he needs to learn you're not a threat nor another rooster to challenge. But you need to find a way to pick him up. This is also important for health checks.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Also everybody gets tired sometimes.

 

[Cari C]

KDOGG- I will do it after work tomorrow. Please know, I have not kicked him, but a few times, and it was after repeated unprovoked charges, more of a toss with the top of my foot, because man, that one time he pecked my foot, he made it count!! Anyhow, that said, I will absolutely follow through, but would love to know what my chances are of getting pecked as I grab him. Why am I such a wuss?! I was a vet tech for 25 years and have been bitten before, by things that likely hurt me more than this guy can... Anyhow, It's just my son and I, so that's why I am bummed about him not wanting to go out back. That means I never have help with feeding and my mare only gets visits from me. Is it an option to throw a little towel over him to make it easier to grab him? I really appreciate the advice, I am not one to give up without a little bit of effort.

 

[Cari C]

am I correct that he is a Sussex? That was him standing between me and some of the girls while they ate breakfast.