why is he mean now

[wlz77]

We moved all the chickens in to there new pen. The 4 abntams that we had from the year before and all the newbies that we got this year. Now here is the problem the millie flur roo keeps attacking anyone who comes into the coop (the coop is 30 feet by 10 and 6 foot tall.) even when I bringing in cottage cheese he goes after me. any ideas on this and what to do about him. he never did this in there small pen or when we lat him out to free range.

 

[MarkR]

How old is he? Could be puberty. Could be he's just exercising his inner a**h**e. Mine does that from time to time. Any changes, like a new environment, can create stress, which will bring out all sorts of attitude.

Mark

 

[wlz77]

hes just coming up on a year old. my hen just hached one of his off- spring a month ago. he has been getting a little meaner over time but now it just bad. i will have to look for a farm for him because i have a 20 month old little girl who loves to go in the coop and now i wont let her. he could so easly reach her face i cant take the chance.

 

[Poison Ivy]

I had a white jap. bantam roo that just loved to attack me & my daughter every chance he got. I even hit him with a stick so hard once it dazed him. He then got up went after my niece and bite her on the leg. I tried carrying him around. locking him up, holding him upside down. Nothing worked on him so I sold him to a guy have no idea what became of him. I was just glad to have him gone. My big delaware roo Zaxby is a sweet boy and hasn't tried at all to hurt us. But I don't let him feed first or mount any hens when I'm near either. That keeps me as top chicken!

 

[wlz77]

I had to lightly push him away this moring with my foot . he just keep coming back at, he's trys to fly up at your face . i had to call for my son to come out to give me a board so i could put it between me and him to get out of the coop. im going to post pics of there new coop very soon i am wondering if it s bigger so hes being more territorial. he my sons and he does not want to let him go but he can't even handle him now.

 

[MayberrySaint]

My alpha roo has gotten mean, but if it means he is now the protector of the flock while they free-range, I can live with it. He will run up to me...do his little dance...wait for me to pet him and bite the snot out of my finger...dance a little more and wait for me to pick him up. Let's me love on him for a while (longer if no hens are around...haha) and then hops down and goes about his business.

 

[wlz77]

i wish, he wont let you get near anyone in the coop he just runs up and try to jump at your face. any ideas on how to train him to be nicer

 

[4H kids and mom]

MayberrySaint...that is exactly where I am at with our ChickenDuck, only he doesn't bite me. He HAS tried to mount my arm though....

But I love him because he is watchful and protective with his gals and guards the babies, and even the little ducklings now are considered "part of his flock" in his eyes. I also have him trained to crow on command, even if I'm holding him! And I can roll him onto his back on my hand and he will stay like that! (I'll have to post a pic of that here!) So I kinda agree with you on that if he's sorta mean but does a good job, then no biggy. But, if he ever harms a child here....that will be a sad day indeed. I wont have the heart to cull him, so I'd have to pen him up and find him a home. If he REALLY hurt someone, then I'd have to have my DH do the deed for me.

So far, the only one he doesn't really care for is my DH, who is also the only one who is somewhat 'nervous' around him. I guess chickens pick up on fear too?

To wlz77.... there are a few things you can try. In order to get his aggression under control, YOU have to take over his Alpha possition. Try these methods, and if these dont work, then the stewing pot might be his next best option. Basically, he is challenging you like he does the other roos. When you hide your face with a board or turn tail and run, you are in a sence, backing down and letting him win. You need to take him down and take charge. Here's what you do:

Next time he runs at you, stand your ground, even make yourself look bigger, wear baggy clothes and hold out your arms and run back at him and hollar. Stomp your feet on the ground too, and chase HIM. If he continues his attack at you, knock him over with your foot (gently but firmly- dont kick him like a soccer ball!) And if that doesn't work (and this one is the hardest but fastest working way) get behind him and grab hold of the top of his tail (this is so he cant turn around and bite you) and with your free hand pin him down to the ground and hold him there. Wait until he stops struggling before releasing him. Then stand there, do NOT walk away afterwards. If he comes at you again, repeat this. Do this over and over. Do not relent. This is what he does with the hens and roos in your flock to maintain/obtain his Alpha possition, and this is what YOU need to do. Make sure that after he stops coming after you that you NEVER let him tangle with another roo or mate a hen in YOUR PRESSENCE. YOU are the Alpha roo in his eyes then, and he will step back on his aggression then. You HAVE to stick with this and not back down. Cuddling an older aggressive roo wont work IMHO, and it COULD be seriously dangerous! Spurs hurt like he**, and a sharp beak can rip your face open in less time than you can say "Ouch".

 

[wlz77]

4H kids and mom
thats what my Dh does almost to the tee. i have to do that a try not to be so afraid of him i go in the coop often so i will have plenty of time to do it. thank you so much my son just loves him and we really want to keep him . I can do this

 

[wlz77]

its working thank you thank you