When would a rooster become aggressive?

[Cbarr00]

If a rooster becomes aggressive at what age would this most likely happen? We have 4 cockerels to 6 pullets around 14 weeks and need to thin out the flock. We just don't know what age would be appropriate to choose the right roo. We have one that seems to not like my husband very much. He pecks at his feet and hands and follows him when hes handling the girls. My husband thinks he may have charged at him today too. He's the alpha right now as well.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

The rooster you described is gonna be an issue,you can try rehab as he is young and could very likely be changed,but you have three whole other boys to choose from.I would get rid of the boy (Either cull him or find someone willing to deal with his behavior).If you were to see any bad behavior,it be between three months,to six months old,that’s the most common age people start seeing issues.

 

[auroaSfarm]

Usually if u handle them a lot they become friendly.

 

[BlueBaby]

I have learned to never keep the dominate alpha cockerel, because they seem to be the one that you won't be able to trust. I have nice roo's by doing it this way.

 

[meetthebubus]

I think they are too old to retrain personality has most to do with it

I had 3 brother roos the dominant one was a monsterbut respected me bc when he was little he sat in my lap and enjoyed petting

I think by 4 months you can mostly tell how they will be

I have 2 roosters currently and their personalities showed from the very start as chicks

Mr Roo was always never touch me I'm scared but I trust you just leave me be

Marshmellow Man is 5 months now and he was super friendly always, I will sit with you I'll never peck at you and he still cuddles with me today

So you should tell by now I'd think, and I don't believe there is such a thing as retrain in my experiences you have to start young and they have to have the right character
Imo

 

[AllenK RGV]

My first flock was 5/5 for jerk roos probably just a feature for this heritage breed of Sumatras. I didn't keep a one beyond 6 months. But if you visit the learning center under our articles they do have a few written on the subject of jerk roo retraining. I free ranged mine and wanted roos in the flock but no bloody way I was letting those spurs grow in.

I went with tie outs for a while but didn't like that solution either as it prevented them from doing their job of flock protection, increased their feed cost as they weren't free ranging...ect.

 

[Tiana's chickens]

My auntie had a really friendly Rooster. Then one day when he was getting close to a year old I think, he got stood on by a donkey, after that he turned very aggressive and would attack us and do damage.
Sometimes the friendlest ones are more pron to aggressive because they aren't afraid to come up and attack you. I think look for one that isn't too afraid but has a healthy respect

 

[BlackHackle]

I raise game chickens like the Indian Game and the Assil and the roosters are aggressive right out of the brooder

 

[BlackHackle]

My auntie had a really friendly Rooster. Then one day when he was getting close to a year old I think, he got stood on by a donkey, after that he turned very aggressive and would attack us and do damage.
Sometimes the friendlest ones are more pron to aggressive because they aren't afraid to come up and attack you. I think look for one that isn't too afraid but has a healthy respect

That is soo true. 80% of my roosters that turned out over friendly ended up being extremely aggressive

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Face the hard cold facts. When you have several brother roosters all but one will be dominant and this bird will "RULE the ROOST" so to speak. Removing this rooster will only result in your next most dominant rooster assuming his brother's crown. Only time will mellow a rooster but the wrong human interaction can set bad behavior forever. Roosters first become aggressive at about 4 weeks if it takes them that long.