What behavior to look for?

[AllenK RGV]

Chicken behavior is interesting. You have gotten good information from some experienced chicken keepers. Better than any "study" you can find, in my opinion. These people have had chickens for years, and have spent those years observing their behavior.

I will add my two cents' worth. I won't say I never feel comfortable around a rooster, but I do keep my eye on them at all times. Maybe after the first year if they haven't attacked or gotten too cheeky with me, I'll trust them a little more. I still keep an eye on them, but maybe not every second. I think rooster training needs to start the minute you are sure you have one. It's time to step back, not handle them, don't hand feed them, and don't let them in your space. Keep them on guard at all times. Move through them. If they are where you want to be, make them back off. If they come toward you, you move toward them and make them move away. Make them move away even if they don't come toward you. Look them in the eye until they move a way. If they even think about challenging you, meet that challenge and win. A couple of years ago, I had a Buff Rock cockerel who figured he was the "cock of the walk". He would look me in the eye, and I would do exactly as I stated above. I made sure he knew I was the boss. One day I was encouraging one of the pullets to go in the run (she was the only one still out, and I was ready to lock them up). She, of course, made a fuss and the cockerel came a-running. He came straight in my direction, and I gave him "the look". He decided he had better things to do on the other side of the run. I think he would have been a good rooster, but he didn't get to grow up to find out. He died a month or so later, defending one of the hens from what I think was a hawk.

Bobbi I have tried all of this but I personally still have a problem child roo. As long as they aren't threatening children or my wife I can take it, but they are there for predator protection for me.

 

[bobbi-j]

Bobbi I have tried all of this but I personally still have a problem child roo. As long as they aren't threatening children or my wife I can take it, but they are there for predator protection for me.

I wouldn't keep that one if I had small kids. (Well, I wouldn't keep him a all, but that's just my opinion). It happens so fast, and only takes once for a child to become injured by a rooster. Think about where a child's face is, and where those spurs are when they come flying at you... Something that can help with protection is to make sure your hens are ranging where there is plenty of cover, if you can. One day when I was outside, a large bird flew over, and there was not a chicken to be seen. Well, except for one clueless BO. Fortunately for her it was not a bird of prey, but a turkey vulture.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Yes if it were simply my own decision I wouldn't keep it either. I am not a fan of "not the Gimp" that is what we call him. He is definately a jerk and only to me. He doesn't mess with my wife or the animals, and only if he becomes a threat to others does he get to go to freezer camp. Regardless, he has been awesome with the hawks, harriers, and falcons overwinter and that is his value to me. I usually end up picking up the jerk 5x a day due to his belligerance I just wish it worked to modify his behavior but I think he just sees me as the alpha to be challenged no matter the odds.

 

[Welshies]

I don't even keep a rooster if he harms the baby chicks.

 

[Folly's place]

When a jerk cockbird is threatening you, or planning his attack, he's not doing his job watching out for predators. Carrying a human aggressive bird around doesn't impress him at all, and as you've said, isn't working.
Beekissed has a good description of how to manage such a bird; look it up on this site. It may help with your rooster.
Mary