What happened to Buddy?

[Nanook33]

We bought 11 chicks at Tractor Supply last spring. We ended up with 7 hens & 4 roosters. 3 of those roosters were really mean/fighters so they went to auction. The other rooster was really laid back/docile-I named him Buddy-he liked to eat greens from your hands. The other day I walked into the chicken yard to feed them their laying crumbles & scratch feed & was attacked by Buddy. (Flew at me-feet extended frontwards.) He did it again a few days later. Is there any hope he'll calm down & behave in a mannerly way again or will he continue this aggressive behavior? I really like this pretty boy but cannot deal with his aggressive ways.

 

[DobieLover]

Couple of non-related observations:

-Don't feed layer feed if you plan to have non-layers in your flock. Feed chick starter, All Flock, Flock Raiser or something similar with oyster shell on the side for free choice feeding by active layers.

-Don't feed scratch feed other then a few times a week snack of maybe 1/2 a handful. It is not good for the birds.

(Flew at me-feet extended frontwards.)

This is called flogging.

What likely happened is when you removed the other three cockerels from the picture, Buddy started to show his true colors. It could be that one of the other 3 would not have shown human aggressiveness. All cockerels/roosters will show aggression towards each other to take over or keep a flock or when an unknown male is introduced to the flock. Not all roosters perceive humans as a threat.

Rehabilitating a cockerel/rooster takes a lot of work. You can give it a try with some of these tips:

* always enter their pen with long, tough jeans on to protect your legs.

* walk slower than your normal pace and be aware of where he is when you enter but don't stare at him.

* when he flogs you in the future, just keep slowly walking into him. If you are wearing the correct clothing, it won't hurt you and by you just calmly continuing to walk into him, he will realize that flogging won't stop you. And by not kicking at him or swinging something at him (not saying you are or would) he will not see your actions as threatening.

* when you offer treats, offer them to him so he can give them to his pullets. With this type of bird, you pretty have to adopt the attitude that you have a cockerel/rooster and he has pullets/hens.

You need to be aware of the signs he gives you that he doesn't like you in his area. He will stare at you, drop a shoulder towards you and pick up random crap off the ground and drop it continually as he slowly walks towards you.

 

[Nanook33]

Thank you! Thank you! I WILL try your suggestions.