young rooster just got aggressive

[FHF ChickenMom]

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

Thank you for the information and the links! Ha! Now I know what to look for in his behavior and act accordingly IMMEDIATELY.

 

[WickedChicksNH]

Thank you all
Well it was just that one attack, for a couple days he kept his distance, and now he is back trying to court me, with his little fancy dance and cuddle up to me..
I am wondering if it was the big bulky sweater I was wearing, I have always had spring and summer clothes on, maybe he didn't feel safe because I looked much bigger.
I dunno I just happy it was that one attack so far, but I know rooster can get that way.

Great help from all your responses though thank you all

 

[Zoomie]

Thank you all
Well it was just that one attack, for a couple days he kept his distance, and now he is back trying to court me, with his little fancy dance and cuddle up to me..
I am wondering if it was the big bulky sweater I was wearing, I have always had spring and summer clothes on, maybe he didn't feel safe because I looked much bigger.
I dunno I just happy it was that one attack so far, but I know rooster can get that way.

Great help from all your responses though thank you all

You know, I really hate to tell you this, but that dance thing he is doing is NOT appropriate behavior towards a human being. He is telling you just as clearly as he can that he regards you as part of the flock and he is going to dominate you if he can, by jumping on you, spurring you, pecking you etc. You have GOT to stop him doing that, right now. If you can nip it in the bud you might be able to save him. Otherwise... he will keep it up until you finally decide that Rooster Stew would be pretty darn tasty. And that's not going to be his fault... that's how he is. He can't help it. He can't change. But, YOU can learn and grow and change.

I suggest reading the links that @coach723 put there for you, and check out the other resources here about cockerels and how to handle them properly. I know there are some really good articles on this here.

A cockerel can't understand that you want to cuddle him and turn him into a pet. He is what he is: an animal with very specific behaviors. As I said, he can't change... but you can help him by treating him properly.

 

[keesmom]

Thank you all
Well it was just that one attack, for a couple days he kept his distance, and now he is back trying to court me, with his little fancy dance and cuddle up to me..
I am wondering if it was the big bulky sweater I was wearing, I have always had spring and summer clothes on, maybe he didn't feel safe because I looked much bigger.
I dunno I just happy it was that one attack so far, but I know rooster can get that way.

He wasn't afraid of your clothes. In fact he is not afraid of you at all. That cute little "cuddle up" dance says it all. He thinks he is in charge. His behavior towards you needs to change, and that has to start with the way you interact with him.

Here is Beekissed's advice on how to deal with male chickens with an attitude.

I'm going to give you a clue on "rooster speak"....holding him down doesn't mean anything to him. If you'll watch how roosters interact between dominant ones and subordinate ones, there is rarely any, if ever, holding a bird down for a long time when there is an altercation. There is very quick flogging, gripping by the back of the head and flinging him away or getting him down and giving some savage pecking to the back of the head or neck. No holding him down and nothing else. That's a rooster on a hen maneuver, not rooster on rooster.

Because your rooster is attacking you, you are the subordinate in this picture. You are getting dominated by your bird simply because you are walking where a subordinate isn't supposed to be walking when a dominant is in the area. What you never see is a dominant rooster getting attacked by a subordinate rooster unless there is going to be a definite shift in power, at which time the sub will challenge the dom and win...or lose. So far you are losing and not even challenging.

If you want to win this battle, you must go on the offensive, not the defensive. He who attacks first, and is still claiming the area when the other guy leaves it, is the winner. Some people never have to go on the offensive because their movements in the coop are so decisive that they move and act like a dominant and a 2 ft. rooster is smart enough to recognize a dominant attitude and behavior...which is likely why he's never attacked your husband. Most men move more decisively than do women and children and they rarely step around a bird, but walk through them.

Carrying him around also doesn't mean anything to him...it just doesn't translate at all. His environment is that coop and run floor and that's where you need to speak to him, in a language he understands. Because they are quick on their feet and can evade you, you need a training tool like a long, limber, supple rod of some kind...cutting a nice switch from a shrub or tree that will lengthen your reach by 5 ft. really helps in this. Don't use a rake or broom because they are too clumsy and stiff and can put the hurts on the guy when you don't really mean to.

When you enter your coop, walk with decisive movements and walk directly towards your rooster. Move him away from the feeder and the rest of the flock and keep a slow, determined pressure on him until he leaves the coop. The stick will help you guide him. Then...wait patiently while he gets his bird mind around what just happened. He will try to come back in the coop...let him. When he gets a good bit into that coop, take your switch and give him a good smack on the fluffy feathers under his tail if you can aim it well. If you cannot, just smack the floor near him very hard and fast until he hops and runs and keep at it until he leaves the coop once again. Repeat this process until he is too wary to come back in the coop.

Feed your hens. When he tries to come to the feeder, you "attack" him with the switch...smack the wall by the pop door just as he tries to enter. If he makes it inside, pursue him with the stick either smacking the floor or tapping him on the back or the head until he leaves in a hurry. Make him stay outside while you sit there and enjoy watching your hens eat. Use the stick to keep him from the flock..just him. Don't worry about the hens running and getting excited when this is happening...they will get over it. This is for the future of your flock and your management of it.

When the hens have had a good tucker....leave the coop and let him come back in. Go out later and walk through that flock and use your legs to scatter birds if they get in your way...top roosters do not step to one side for any other bird in the flock. You shouldn't either. Take your stick and startle him with a smack on the floor next to him when he is least expecting it...make that bird jump and RUN. Make him so nervous around you that he is always looking over his shoulder and trying to get out of your way. THAT'S how he needs to be from now on in your lives together. Forget about pets or cuddles...this is a language and behavior he understands. You can hand feed him and such later...right now you need to establish that when you move, he moves...away. When you turn your back, he doesn't move towards you...ever.

Then test him...take your stick along, move around in the coop, bend over with your back turned to him, feed, water, etc....but keep one eye on that rooster. If he even makes one tiny step in your direction or in your "zone", go on the attack and run him clear on out of the coop. Then keep him out while everyone else is eating.

THAT'S how a dominant rooster treats a subordinate. They don't let them crow, mate or even eat in their space. If the subordinate knows his place and watches over his shoulder a lot, he may get to come and eat while the other rooster is at the feeder...but he doesn't ever relax if he knows what is good for him. At any given time the dominant will run him off of that feed and he knows it, so he eats with one eye toward the door. If he feels the need to crow, it's not usually where the dom can reach him...maybe across the yard.

If your rooster crows while you are there, move towards him and keep on the pressure until he stops. He doesn't get to crow while you are there. He can crow later...not while you are there.

It all sounds time consuming but it really isn't...shouldn't take more than minutes for each lesson and you can learn a lot as you go along. And it can be fun if you venture into it with the right attitude....this is rooster training that really works if you do it correctly. This can work on strange roosters, multiple roosters and even old roosters...they can all learn. You rule the coop...now act like it. Carrying is for babies...you have a full grown rooster on your hands, not a baby.

 

[coach723]

Thank you keesmom for posting that thread by Beekissed, I could not find it at the time I was posting.

Thank you all
Well it was just that one attack, for a couple days he kept his distance, and now he is back trying to court me, with his little fancy dance and cuddle up to me..
I am wondering if it was the big bulky sweater I was wearing, I have always had spring and summer clothes on, maybe he didn't feel safe because I looked much bigger.
I dunno I just happy it was that one attack so far, but I know rooster can get that way.

You have been given lots of good advice, now it's up to you to work on your roo.
I wanted to add that since he is young you are not dealing with spurs yet. Once he has spurs, if this is still going on it's going to result in getting hurt. If you ask anyone who has been spurred by a rooster how they felt about it you will not find anyone looking forward to a repeat performance. It hurts. And if you have small children, or children at all really, around this roo then it's an accident waiting to happen. Children are even more likely to draw an attack than an adult, resulting in injury or being terrified/traumatized. I hope you take the advice to heart, and I wish you luck with him.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2015/07/about-aggressive-roosters.html

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Thank you keesmom for posting that thread by Beekissed, I could not find it at the time I was posting.



You have been given lots of good advice, now it's up to you to work on your roo.
I wanted to add that since he is young you are not dealing with spurs yet. Once he has spurs, if this is still going on it's going to result in getting hurt. If you ask anyone who has been spurred by a rooster how they felt about it you will not find anyone looking forward to a repeat performance. It hurts. And if you have small children, or children at all really, around this roo then it's an accident waiting to happen. Children are even more likely to draw an attack than an adult, resulting in injury or being terrified/traumatized. I hope you take the advice to heart, and I wish you luck with him.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2015/07/about-aggressive-roosters.html

My daughter was about 8 or 9 when we got chickens. We got the cockerel first (Another story for another day), when we got hens, the roo pecked my daughter's leg then turned and pecked my leg. Not my husband!, who must have realized this might happen as he had a switch in his hand and switched the roo promptly. Daughter was afraid at first to go back into the chicken yard or back yard if they were free ranging, so we left the switch by the back door and she just carried it with her when she went out. She never had to use it and eventually felt she didn't need it. I was only pecked once more and It was because I was standing on the rooster's toes (LOL), so I kind of felt that one didn't really count as it was just a communication thing. (could you get off my toes please). Poor guy

 

[WickedChicksNH]

ahh dang it.. Rooster are so complicated lol.. Well now I know and am better for it. Guess i just have to put my foot down with him.

Thank again

 

[MigraineMan]

We have one roo - Black Autrralorp - who became very protective/aggressive when the hens started laying. He attacked both me and my son ... but left my wife and my daughter alone. I guess he views us as potential competitors. He has been on the recieveing end of my boot more than once - he made me bleed my own blood (ain't got time to bleed.) The garden hose had been an effective deterrent, also. He has only been sprayed a handful of times, but he does not like it.

He will still cop an attitude as I approach the run - head down and staring intently at me. But he generally keeps his distance. Once I throw some food in the run, he's all "Oh, there's treats! Om nom nom."

However, "the pot" option is still on the table.

 

[lilmarie84]

Once I throw some food in the run, he's all "Oh, there's treats! Om nom nom."

However, "the pot" option is still on the table.

 

[lilmarie84]

My BO has had his moments he has attacked me, my daughter and my 2 oldest boys but he is still fairly young he is 5 1/2 months so I have been working with him and so has my daughter being we are the the 2 he goes after the most its funny and I don't mean HA HA HA funny but its funny watching my daughter when he tries it cuz she will not back down he doesn't do it all the time thats why we are trying to nip it in the bud before its to late that is him as my avatar