Worried my Roo is too comfortable 😬

[bjdewell]

I know it is hard to see your beloved little chick mature and under hormonal influence become aggressive and dangerous.

Be proactive and cull him before someone gets seriously hurt. Maybe a neighbour can do it for you.

That's what I was thinking. I'd find a kind person who could come over when I leave the house to shop, etc., take the rooster, and do what's needed. I couldn't cull any of my hens, but if needed, I'd find someone to do it for me. And I'd do it before my kids or I were hurt. Sad situation, but it doesn't appear there's any other choice. Good luck.

 

[Small Farmer Jane]

I’m going through a similar situation with my 6 month old rooster. It coincides with on of my pullets going broody. It’s too late on the season and the flocks eggs are simply too small to allow it. He is doing his job, in my opinion, to protect her while she is on the nest. I’m hand feeding him, pushing him back when he charges me and mostly, I’m putting my hen on a dog crate off the ground so she stops. She is a silver phoenix and is quite aggressive herself. I’m giving it some time to see how this plays out they are both young and I go in confident but kind. I do have the ability to collect eggs from outside the coop but enjoy engaging with them. I think it keeps them regulated. I hatched and raised them by hand and can’t imagine killing any of them.

 

[KarenRaber]

Okay. Sooooo. My top roo, Phoenix, is a big beautiful RIR, a little over 6 months old.

I’m honestly starting to get nervous around him, and I don’t know what to do about it. Up until yesterday he hadn’t shown even the slightest hint of aggression. He always comes into the coop whenever I go in, unless they are free-ranging at the time and then it’s 50/50 whether he cares enough to keep an eye on me or not. He does get within a couple feet of me, but usually is just pecking at the ground the whole time, just kinda watching me as I collect the eggs. He isn’t afraid of me, even if I stomp my feet near him he doesn’t move away, just keeps pecking the ground where he is.

Well yesterday I went in to collect eggs, without thinking about it I was wearing a hot pink T-shirt. He came into coop as usual, but seemed to be eyeing me a lot more than normal. As soon as I squatted down to pick up eggs, he ran towards me with a quickness. I immediately stood back up and he stopped in his tracks but was giving me the stink eye. He didn’t flog or bite or try to get me with his spurs, but I feel like he would have, if I hadn’t seen him coming. I just stood there over him until he went back to pecking the ground, and then I exited the coop, without turning my back.

Now today when I went to collect, (NOT wearing any shade of red), when he came to keep watch over me, I just felt nervous the whole time. He keeps getting closer and closer, looking curious, but it makes me nervous and I know he can sense that. I’m afraid to even bend over enough to (gently) shove him out of the way. I know this is BAD. I know he can sense my unease. I love him so much but now I’m starting to become outright afraid of him, and he hasn’t even hurt me! I don’t like this feeling at all. My girls (9 & 12) like to check for eggs when they get home from school, but after the way he ran at me yesterday now I’m feeling uneasy about them going in there if he’s in the coop.

What do I do? Do I just keep doing what I’m doing for now, and wait until he tries something again and then react? How can I be more proactive about this? I do NOT want to end up in a situation where I need to cull, he so far has been a great roo, treats me girls well, calls them over when he finds a treat, tries to drop food at their feet, is gentle when he mates, etc. Plus I really do love him. But I don’t want to put myself, and *especially* not my kids in a position to get ambushed by him. I have suspected Marek’s and highly suspect one of my hens has MG as well, so rehoming is not an option whatsoever. The only way out now is culling and I don’t think I can bring myself to do that, at least not yet. It would have to be a very last resort. But idk. I’m scared

 

[KarenRaber]

I have had many roosters. All became lovely friends and still protective of the hens and eggs, their only job in life! I try to get them used to a regular routine so they are not suspicious or aggressive. Try just throwing some treats outside the coup, away from the door. Go in to do your cleaning and egg collection. When finished and ready to go out, slightly open the door and throw treats away from the doorand leave. I always try to move slowly as chickens do. Fast movement in fear alert the rooster and result in suspicion and aggression. Be slow and know that it is only a bird! I had only one that didn't settle with time and slow patience. He was rescued from a cockfight. Popeye! A white leghorn and a big one. We put a center divider between the eggs and the run . Threw some treats into the run and scooted in and slid the door on the divider closed. Then could pick up eggs and clean up in peace. The rooster is not very smart and only doing what nature intended him to do. Protect the hens and eggs in his territory! You can outsmart him and you can teach your children that you all are smarter than a bird! On occasion with trouble moving Popeye out to the run, we would carry a trash an lid in as a shield to scoot him along and protect the human. It worked well. We have a lovely old rooster named Cooper right now. He comes to the porch and sits by me. They do tame with time and patience. Don't be afraid and be prepared. Never go to war without your weapons lol! Have everything handy and work smoothly and slowly.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

I have had many roosters. All became lovely friends and still protective of the hens and eggs, their only job in life! I try to get them used to a regular routine so they are not suspicious or aggressive. Try just throwing some treats outside the coup, away from the door. Go in to do your cleaning and egg collection. When finished and ready to go out, slightly open the door and throw treats away from the doorand leave. I always try to move slowly as chickens do. Fast movement in fear alert the rooster and result in suspicion and aggression. Be slow and know that it is only a bird! I had only one that didn't settle with time and slow patience. He was rescued from a cockfight. Popeye! A white leghorn and a big one. We put a center divider between the eggs and the run . Threw some treats into the run and scooted in and slid the door on the divider closed. Then could pick up eggs and clean up in peace. The rooster is not very smart and only doing what nature intended him to do. Protect the hens and eggs in his territory! You can outsmart him and you can teach your children that you all are smarter than a bird! On occasion with trouble moving Popeye out to the run, we would carry a trash an lid in as a shield to scoot him along and protect the human. It worked well. We have a lovely old rooster named Cooper right now. He comes to the porch and sits by me. They do tame with time and patience. Don't be afraid and be prepared. Never go to war without your weapons lol! Have everything handy and work smoothly and slowly.

Good advice. Welcome to BYC, by the way

 

[kimeeL]

There is no excuse for that bad behavior.

Maybe looking after his girls, the eggs they lay which turn into chicks he will guard. For goodness sake he's a bird. We are ten times bigger and stronger. Make him realise who is the boss. An animals life is in our hands and because he's doing what we want, protecting his coop, we end his life ! Poor boy

 

[3KillerBs]

Maybe looking after his girls, the eggs they lay which turn into chicks he will guard. For goodness sake he's a bird. We are ten times bigger and stronger. Make him realise who is the boss. An animals life is in our hands and because he's doing what we want, protecting his coop, we end his life ! Poor boy

A rooster who is attacking The Giant Who Brings Food is not protecting his flock.

 

[Chicken mob]

With your children in the picture I would rather not take any risks. RIR are big and he will grow much bigger and heavier still.

Your gut instinct worked well and alerted you to the change in his behaviour and the danger that comes with it.

I agree with several people here, with young children,he needs to go. Mine made a run at me, now I watch him closely! Good luck!

 

[Duke Farm]

@Mrs. K you were very helpful on my very first rooster thread. What are your thoughts??

I carry my big RIR around all the time. He is very protective of his hens and will chase off other birds. He will fight them too but very kind with me. Before even thinking of culling him I would try other techniques.

 

[Linda Pluschke]

He maybe seeing you as a potential mate. Young cockerels often practice mating on their mothers. If he's coming at you when you squat, he may see that as an invitation to mate. Does he do this behavior when you don't squat? You should try some techniques to assist your the alpha, but if it doesn't work put your children's safety first. Check out featherbrain videos on you tube. She has a video on what to do if your rooster is trying to mate with you.