young rooster just got aggressive

[WickedChicksNH]

Hello
New here.
I have a 5 month old feathered foot all white bantam rooster (is that what the actual breed is called or did I just make that up? lol)
I also have 2 girls, one his age I bought at the same time and a NH red about a year older than them
Every day I go out in their coops sit with them, feed them, talk with them.. you know normal chicken people stuff.

My Rooster always danced around me cuddled up to me, was just sweet(all my chickens are sweet)
Until today, I went out doing the same thing I always do.. I noticed He was pecked at my fingers hard and not at the food in my hand, just my hand. Then it happened he fluffed his feathers and went at me, pretty viciously. I was sitting on this tire I painted and made into a chicken dust bath for them so I was low to the ground he actually got up on my back and attacked too.. I did show him who's boss and he went and pouted on top of his coop.

Would this just be hormones? because it really made me sad because he has always been so sweet. I am also wondering if I did anything different only thing I could think of was I was wearing a sweatshirt he's only seen me in not so bulky clothes.

My NH red went right after him too when he attacked.

Is this something that will pass?

thank you

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

First off... Welcome!!!

Sorry to hear about your rooster. It's always so upsetting when a sweet chicken suddenly turns means. I think this may just be the rooster trying to integrate you into the pecking order. He may see you as part of the flock, so he's trying to show you he's better than you. If you don't stop this behavior, it will most likely get worse. But if you continue to do what you did today, then hopefully the behavior will be fixed. good luck!

 

[SueT]

Hello
New here.
I have a 5 month old feathered foot all white bantam rooster (is that what the actual breed is called or did I just make that up? lol)
I also have 2 girls, one his age I bought at the same time and a NH red about a year older than them
Every day I go out in their coops sit with them, feed them, talk with them.. you know normal chicken people stuff.

My Rooster always danced around me cuddled up to me, was just sweet(all my chickens are sweet)
Until today, I went out doing the same thing I always do.. I noticed He was pecked at my fingers hard and not at the food in my hand, just my hand. Then it happened he fluffed his feathers and went at me, pretty viciously. I was sitting on this tire I painted and made into a chicken dust bath for them so I was low to the ground he actually got up on my back and attacked too.. I did show him who's boss and he went and pouted on top of his coop.

Would this just be hormones? because it really made me sad because he has always been so sweet. I am also wondering if I did anything different only thing I could think of was I was wearing a sweatshirt he's only seen me in not so bulky clothes.

My NH red went right after him too when he attacked.

Is this something that will pass?

thank you

Yes it's hormones. Do NOT allow this behavior. Walk toward him and make him move out of your way at all times. No more hand feeding. You may be able to nip this in the bud.

 

[WickedChicksNH]

Thank you so much Sue.. I guess it's something a should of expected after all the reading I did as soon as I found out I had a rooster. But I was like nooo not me, he will love me forever and ever and never peck at me meanly.
Not going to lie my heart was broken

 

[andreanar]

Unfortunately, it doesn't usually get better. Hormones have kicked in and he is now a dangerous cockerel.

 

[sourland]

Don't be heart broken. He's a chicken not a dog. His behavior has nothing to do with love or even like. He wants to be top of the pecking order and regards you as a flock member that needs to be subordinated. As SueT said it's all about hormones and developing into the leader of the flock. Nip this behavior in the bud. Good luck.

 

[TwinsLoveChicks]

Unfortunately, it doesn't usually get better. Hormones have kicked in and he is now a dangerous cockerel.

Not necessarily. I have a rooster that very occasionally gets aggressive towards me, and he's a large breed, so it's scary. Anytime that he starts to get aggressive I chase him and keep him in the outskirts of the flock until he's accepted that I'm the one in charge and that he's the lower one on the pecking order. Now he's sweet and will still eat out of my hand every once in a while. If you assert yourself and he knows who's boss, he doesn't have to be dangerous. He can still turn out to be a wonderful and sweet member of your flock. Good luck!

 

[FHF ChickenMom]

So sorry to hear your little boy is growing up. Mine is/was the same way; so cuddly and loved to be held much more than the girls. I am in exactly the same situation. I have two girls and a boy who are four months old now and have noticed that Tiberius now pecks at my pant leg - only once. Each time I go in with them, only once. But I am continuously, I guess without realizing it, pushing him out of the way from the moment I begin to open the door....mostly because he's in the way but I may be communicating something else entirely to him...I HOPE SO! But he's still only 4 mo.s, though I've seen him trying to get to the girls and they make it clear under no uncertain terns to BACK OFF.

 

[coach723]

Every rooster has his own personality traits and temperament. They are all individuals. He is at the age when hormones kick in and it can result in aggression. SOMETIMES a young roo will calm down as he gets older, but no guarantees.
There are many theories/techniques for living with them. I'm going to attach a couple of links to some info, you can search and find loads of it. You need to do things in a way that you are comfortable with and can be consistent with, and that work for your rooster.
I currently have two roo's, both chosen more for temperament than for any other reason. Neither has ever attacked a human, and other than minor pecking order spats, they do not fight each other. As long as this status remains, they will remain. Getting on your back (mounting) is dominant behavior, and I would not allow it. The dance is likewise dominant, and a warning that he's likely to try something more. And the fluffing/raising of hackles usually signals immediate attack.
If this particular roo does not come to an understanding with you, then I personally would not keep him. How much you want to deal with from a roo is a personal decision. I've had two real nasty ones that for me just weren't worth dealing with on a daily basis, and you will find many stories about roosters like that, and most people do not keep them. There are also very nice roo's who take care of their flock and don't find it necessary to attack their human provider.
The following links are for two very different philosophies....you can find much more....good luck.
http://countrysidenetwork.com/daily/poultry/feed-health/how-to-tame-aggressive-rooster-behavior/
https://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/help-for-agressive-roosters

 

[Folly's place]

Also, 'beekist' has a very good article here about managing cockerels and cocks to promote good behavior. In my experience, the 'friendly' cockerels are often the ones who are bold to a fault, don't respect humans, and turn into obnoxious human aggressive jerks as they mature. My cockerels aren't ever treated as pets, or hand fed, or allowed to get into my space. They move out of my way at all times, and spend their time learning how to take care of their pullets/ hens, and not mess with me! Because your boy has been 'spoiled' so far, MAYBE you can readjust his attitude, but if his aggression persists, or escalates, or if you have small children, move him on NOW. Mary