Very aggressive rooster- HELP!!

[Oahu Babies]

Hi I have an extremely aggressive 3 year old rooster. I hand raised him from the egg myself, saving him from certain death. I am very emotionally attached to him. I also hate him. He has attacked several people including myself. I have tried almost everything I can think of- ignoring his behavior, running him down, holding a stick with me, feeding him by hand etc. He beats up the other roosters so I separated him into his own small coop. Since then, I unknowingly created a worse situation.

Now that he has been separated (in a smaller coop within the big run so they all can constantly see each other and not forget who each other are) he now cannot be let out because he will fight the other males to the death I assume unless I intervien. He now lives by himself in that little coop but can constantly see and hear the other chickens (only separation is the cage itself since his coop is inside the big run) but that isn't a good life.

I have called at least 20 different vets in my state and one neighboring state to see if he can be neutered. Every phone call ended with a no. One vet used to do it, but since they usually end up not living through the procedure she doesn't do it anymore. What do I do!?

No- I won't kill him or eat him. Or let anyone else for that matter. No suggestion to do so will change my mind. As much as I hate him, I still love him.

No- I can't rehome him. He is too mean and someone will either eat him or fight him with other roosters. He is too mean.

Has anyone heard of a shot or non invasive way to sterilize him to maybe bring down his aggression? I am at the end of my rope. Eating him would be like me eating my dog. No I'm not going to do it. If anyone has any other suggestions or ideas that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[KikiLeigh02]

Could you move him farther away from the main flock? Maybe if he isn't close enough to see the hens he will calm down.

 

[Orpingtons43]

I found this thread (https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-i-deal-with-aggressive-roosters.1128831/#post-17429304) it seems helpful! I’d sure give it a try. Good luck!!

 

[Tesumph]

Is that him in your profile picture? What breed is he, out of curiosity?

 

[keesmom]

At 3 years of age it is too dangerous to caponize him. The procedure would probably kill him.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry to hear about your rooster.
I agree with @keesmom caponizing him would likely kill him.

Since re-homing and harvesting are off the table, the only alternative you have is to build a larger run and provide housing just for him.

I too would like to know what breed he is just out of curiosity.

 

[Acre4Me]

Sounds like giving him his own coop complete with run is best option to keep him and keep your sanity. How does he behave with the hens?

 

[Pork Pie]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-roosters-what-is-the-best-way-to-handle-them

 

[HuskerHens18]

You say you carry a stick with you, do you use it or just threaten to? Roosters are going to use their roughest behavior to show they dominate you, so you have to do the same.
I'd say get some heavy duty boots and jeans on, go out there and when he tries to attack you, attack back. Give him some good kicks, toss him away, and show him you don't take crap from roosters.
One thing I do just about everyday, is if a rooster is in my "personal space bubble" which can be as big as you'd like, spray them with a hose with jet setting. It's not painful, but it's a force and it'll scare them off.
Only let roosters approach you when you allow it, usually only when you want to hand feed them or are handing out treats.

 

[rosemarythyme]

He has attacked several people including myself.

This is the main issue I see. This rooster is either going to cause someone serious harm and/or cause you to get sued. He *should* be put down, but since you don't want to do it, then he needs to be kept locked up so no one else can get access to him. This isn't a matter of him having a good life, he's no different than a dangerous dog and has to be managed accordingly.