What should I do? Sweet buff Orpington cockerel turns mean.

[sahensle]

Recently my buff orpington has started to peck and charge at me. He who I thought until recently was a she. He is 13 weeks old and is starting to become aggressive. He has been very sweet until a few days ago. I have been on the fence about keeping him but now I feel like he is not what I want if he continues this behavior. Any tips?
I have held him on the ground after he has pecked me. I hold him and pet him too.

 

[KadeSilkies21]

Does he have any hens with him? It is normal for roosters to become aggressive as they get older. They are just protecting themselves and their flock.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Holding isn't the correct response. You will need a tool like a fishing net, plastic rake, or broom to block him when he attacks. I personally use a fishing net. He may be trying out dominating you and you need to get him on the run and to make sure he keeps his distance for now. He should move away from you not towards you.

You can worry later about being friends, but for now it's best that you make him stay away from you. Either it will work, or it will get worse. If he gets worse or you have young children I wouldn't keep him, he would become dinner.

 

[Pyxis]

It's definitely not normal for a rooster to become aggressive to humans as they get older, and it's not something you need to or should want to put up with.

I personally don't keep aggressive roosters, especially a large breed like a buff orp. It is no fun to have a huge rooster charging you, biting you, flogging you, and jumping up to try to flog you in the face, which does happen. They get big, long, sharp spurs that WILL cut you open.

You can try to deal with this by showing him you are the top bird in the pecking order. Chase him around the yard until he keeps his distance.

If he doesn't stop this behavior, eat him or give him to someone who will. There are plenty of good, non aggressive roosters out there looking for homes, so there's absolutely no reason to put up with an aggressive one.

 

[sahensle]

I have 2 older hens and one pullet. I just moved them all in one coop together last night and the older hens are dominating him. I am concerned my pullet will not be ok without her flock aka mean cockerel. What do you guys think about this too?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Than get yourself a tool and work on keeping him away from you, you also need to dominate him, so do as your hens are doing. You can get rid of him later if he becomes worse.

 

[sahensle]

Thank you. I'll try a couple more weeks. If not he is going to have to go. So sad he turned so quickly.

 

[Folly's place]

The 'friendly' cockerels are the bold boys who may be thinking bad thoughts, and start to act out as they get a little older. I don't handle or pet my cockerels, and expect them to get out of my way as I move through the group. Let those hens manage him, and change your behavior out there too, and see if he reforms. If he continues to challenge you in any way, invite him to dinner. Mary

 

[apryl29]

Recently my buff orpington has started to peck and charge at me. He who I thought until recently was a she. He is 13 weeks old and is starting to become aggressive. He has been very sweet until a few days ago. I have been on the fence about keeping him but now I feel like he is not what I want if he continues this behavior. Any tips?
I have held him on the ground after he has pecked me. I hold him and pet him too.

The same thing happened to me! Our buff orpington roo was from a place that insisted ALL their chicks were female bc that's what they order from their supplier. Our bantam roo was even flirting w 'her'!.. She was My older daughter's favorite and let her carry her around. Then 2 weeks ago a friend questioned her gender and the good ppl on this site informed me that she was a he. He'd started chasing my younger females. Then last Monday he crowed finally. I've segregated him for now and I'm hoping to find him a new home. He keeps attacking my leghorn roo, & yesterday I bit my hand as I was trying to feed him. Last weekend he bit my daughter's finger & wouldn't let go. He used to be so good. He'd jumped up to sit w us before he bit her. Idk if he's acting mean Bc he's itching to mate or bc I have 2 other roos who matured sooner and he's competing w them.

 

[Saint_ Marwenne_Chickens]

Get rid of him.