When to cull a rooster showing signs of aggression?

[McCouchsky]

I have two 10 month old roosters. A RIR and a Barred Rock.

The RIR once, about 4 months ago, jumped me when I picked up a hen and the hen complained. I had to smack him away pretty hard with the back of my hand. Since then this rooster has not shown any signs of aggression towards me whatsoever no matter what I am doing.

The Barred Rock on the other hand consistently (every time) charges (and sometimes jumps) me when I pick up a hen, especially if the hen complains about it. Other than that he does not charge me. I have seen that rooster grab hens by the back of the neck pretty hard at times, but I am assuming this has to do with mating. He also sometimes complains when RIR tries to mount a hen.

Is the Barred Rock behaviour regarding charging me enough to warrant culling? Should I wait or watch for something else? Is the rooster behaviour normal and warranted? These are my first roosters and I am trying to figure out when the line gets crossed that warrants removal from flock. Getting pretty annoyed by this rooster and I don't want to have a relationship where I need to kick an animal to tend to the hens.

Edit: I'll also add that I noticed that both rooster seem to be afraid of me. The hens are a mixed bunch where some will walk by my feet and eat from my hand and some will not do either of those things, but if I have scratch all will run towards me and generally be near me at this time. Even the flighty ones, although they will jump when I move in a way they don't like. However the roosters generally don't come near and generally stay far away and observe as this happens. When I back off they then will come closer to the hens and scratch on the ground. Not always like this, but like 75% of the time at least.

 

[Vixen with Chickens]

It is normal as their natural job is to protect the hens but it also depends on what you want. Do you want nice roosters or roosters who will protect your hens in case of a attack? In high predator areas you want the aggressive protecters, if you live in a low predator area or have kids or just don't want to deal with rooster bs you would want a nice rooster, but then its better to get one from breeds that are known to have more friendly roosters.

 

[Folly's place]

Disagree.
Human aggression has little or nothing to do with flock protection, in fact, while the jerk rooster is stalking and attacking the human who brings food every day, he's NOT looking out for actual predators, or taking care of his flockmates.
I keep roosters who avoid me and are busy looking for dangers, and treating their flockmates well. This includes not injuring pullets or hens, and learning to be polite breeders.
Your barred Rock needs to be dinner for someone, and then see how your other cockerel behaves. It's possible that neither will turn into a rooster worth having! If it works out that way, raise some chicks this year and maybe get a good one.
Mary

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I wouldn't keep either personally. My friendly roosters keep their hens safe just as much as people seem to think aggressive ones would. Even if they do leap into action to protect hens, the best they'll do in most cases is just sacrifice themselves as the bird that gets taken that time

 

[Debbie292d]

Hubby just did last night. We didn't know which chicken killed a 4-month-old cuckoo silkie a few days ago. Then we found out...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/debbies-silkies.1612185/post-27795133

 

[McCouchsky]

Has the line been crossed for culling then? I mean I did pick up the hens and the hens complained. He doesn't charge if I am holding a hen and the hen does not complain. Where is the line?

Regarding the breeding, it was my understanding that cockerels are often rough with hens when the cockerels start mating, but this should subside as they get older. At what rooster age is aggressive neck biting grabbing unacceptable?

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
If your birds are all the same age, those pullets mature later than the cockerels, and mating can look unpleasant for a while. No injuries are acceptable though. I think that cockerels raised with adult hens, at least, learn polite behavior as those ladies smack them around. it's pretty funny sometimes too...
It will be interesting to see how your RIR develops; even one attack can be one too many. Watch him! If you have small children, or any visitors out there, be aware.
Mary

 

[Crazy Maizie]

They seem pretty young, still learning the ropes.

If you can only keep one, I'd separate and see how they behave when there is no hen around.

 

[Chickin Fairy]

If you are open to a different perspective and learning more about rooster behavior, please check out the page Rooster Allies on FB. Roosters go through a spring hormone change and can get feisty. They pick up on your body language and can sense your tenseness, as many other animals do. It is all about building trust with your rooster and it sounds like you have hit them in the past which has made them not trust you and be afraid of you. If this were a dog, hitting the dog would make them fearful of you and "aggressive." Roosters are the most misunderstood creature we keep, one of the most abused animals we keep, and dare I say the only one we decide to kill if we don't understand their "aggression." My relationship with my "aggressive" rooster has improved dramatically since I started learning more about the animal and behavior and building trust with him. It changed immediately when I stopped trying to pin him or kick him away. I didn't even think of it as abuse, but that's just what it is. It's only another perspective and it's not one that is readily accepted in circles like this, please feel free to check it out.

 

[Folly's place]

It's not about attacking the rooster back! It's about his behavior, and I agree that getting into scraps with the attack bird can make things even worse.
When we have had human aggressive cockerels, or a rooster who decides this is a good idea, nothing we tried improved the situation. And about liability: any visitors, children, delivery people, all at risk. How is your liability insurance? Does you policy cover poultry? Find out before there's a problem! Most home owners, and some farm policies do NOT cover anything involving poultry!!!
Mary