Uneducated rooster owner

[lindalouly]

Handle him more to condition him. Pick him up and inspect him, hold him like a football until he settles down. Eventually you have to check the cockerels and cock birds for lice, mites and any other inspection so might as well condition him now. He'll not confuse that with you being top rooster, should not think that as your not dominating him like a bird. If all goes well he'll mellow with humans being around.

Then there are the cockerels that mellow but still don't quite get it, will charge certain people but be fine around his keepers. They can be tolerated if penned and children don't have contact. Then there are aggressive birds that stay that way and they are the most tasty. Somehow the meat gains flavor when there's no remorse in butchering.

I

 

[lindalouly]

I

. I have trained my 5 month old hens to jump on my lap or shoulder and have no problem with them... My other four which includes the roo are hand shy but I spend lots of time with them and handle them... I was just nervous cause a peck by the rooster was stronger than I thought it should be... He is not afraid of me and I heard they should be.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I say make friends with your hens, and admire your roosters from afar, that's been my experience, had chickens for 25 years, and enjoy watching behavior, any rooster that would peck me in the early days would try attacking when older, I like roosters, but stop handling, I'm sure others are going to disagree, if I need to catch them I use a net, better than being terrorized on a daily basis

 

[azygous]

Here's one of the best tutorials on BYC on training roosters. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/390911/important-how-to-deal-with-an-aggressive-rooster

I would read through the tutorials and see if it feels like something you want to take on. Here on your thread, you're liable to get as many useful replies as replies that are just plain nuts. No one can tell you how to train a rooster in one paragraph. The above link is an entire thread. There is a lot of useful info there.

I've trained tow problem roosters myself, and I can testify to roosters being far more intelligent than anyone gives them credit for, and they are trainable. My roosters had directly opposite problem personalities. One was aggressive and was a biter, and the other was so neurotic that he would have a meltdown if I so much as reached for him. It took a lot of time and patience but both boys were completely rehabilitated.

I agree that roosters can be very dangerous for children. By the very fact of their short stature, children are an easy target, and are very vulnerable. Your child should only be permitted around the rooster under close supervision until he grows tall enough and mature enough so that he can handle the rooster. Perhaps he can participate in helping to train your cockerel.

 

[lindalouly]

Here's one of the best tutorials on BYC on training roosters. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/390911/important-how-to-deal-with-an-aggressive-rooster

I would read through the tutorials and see if it feels like something you want to take on. Here on your thread, you're liable to get as many useful replies as replies that are just plain nuts. No one can tell you how to train a rooster in one paragraph. The above link is an entire thread. There is a lot of useful info there.

I've trained tow problem roosters myself, and I can testify to roosters being far more intelligent than anyone gives them credit for, and they are trainable. My roosters had directly opposite problem personalities. One was aggressive and was a biter, and the other was so neurotic that he would have a meltdown if I so much as reached for him. It took a lot of time and patience but both boys were completely rehabilitated.

I agree that roosters can be very dangerous for children. By the very fact of their short stature, children are an easy target, and are very vulnerable. Your child should only be permitted around the rooster under close supervision until he grows tall enough and mature enough so that he can handle the rooster. Perhaps he can participate in helping to train your cockerel.

I am gonna read it now. My six year old is the youngest of four boys and probably the one with the most patience and compassion for all animals. I will read and see what it says... He is never out in our yard without me but all my chickens have free access to all parts of my lawn with my two dogs that protect both kids and chickens... Kids first though

 

[torilovessmiles]

I say make friends with your hens, and admire your roosters from afar, that's been my experience, had chickens for 25 years, and enjoy watching behavior, any rooster that would peck me in the early days would try attacking when older, I like roosters, but stop handling, I'm sure others are going to disagree, if I need to catch them I use a net, better than being terrorized on a daily basis

I agree to a point. Some roosters can be cuddled, but some are just not friendly by nature.
Since your son is attached to this rooster, I don't know if a "hands off" policy will work too well. If he turns out to be aggressive and attacks, he doesn't need to be around children IMHO. It's better to be sad than lose an eyeball.

 

[Folly's place]

I expect my cockrels to respect my space; I don't try to make pets of them. In my experience, bold "friendly" cockrels turn into human aggressive jerks often. I walk around the flock, 'through' the cockrels, and expect them to get out of my way. My roosters don't threaten me no matter what's happening. I can wear anything, pick up anyone, and they may watch, but don't butt in. If I had small children around, I'd be even more careful. Right now a couple of my fourteen week old boys are starting to think bad thoughts; nothing overt, but they will bear watching. Mary

 

[donrae]

I vote to rehome the rooster. Yes, your child won't be happy for a while, but kiddos are resilient and he'll get over it. Far better that than a facial scar from a rooster attack, or even mental scars from being terrified of the bird. I can't imagine being outside with my boys every minute, the yard is for my kids to go outside and play and give me a break. I literally could not be out there supervising a child and a bird every moment.

 

[CherriesBrood]

Ok here's one thread that I got.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/common-rooster-myths-clearing-up-rooster-misinformation

 

[CherriesBrood]

Sand here's the other one that I was talking about in my first post.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/keeping-a-rooster

Hope this helps.