Young rooster trying to attack me

[Popcorn Mcgee]

Hello. I have four almost 4 month old chickens. This is our first run at chickens and so far so good, they have been really great/simple. Our 3 year old is around them almost every time I am. A couple of weeks ago we started to open their run in the morning so they can have free range of our back yard during the day time. So far they have been doing great. They'll go back to their run for food, water and naps. Well, today when we came home I didn't see them in the yard like usual and so my husband went looking for them. He found them inside the edge of our corn field scratching around and we went back to unpacking the car. When we finished I went to see the chickens by the corn field which is about 75 yards from our house and when I came around the corner of the house the rooster saw me and ran towards me at a dead sprint. At first I was stupidly thinking he was really excited to see me until he got right up to me and then he started to act like he was going to attack me. He puffed up his feathers and stood up really straight and did that darting attack thing I remember my parents roosters doing to me when I was a kid right before an attack. He didn't actually go through with the attack, but I think that it was because I would go toward him when he did it instead of running like a scared child. So I herded them back toward their coop and walked away. When I turned my back to walk away I watched him over my shoulder and he started to dart at me again while he thought I wasn't looking, but again, he didn't go through with it because I turned around and went toward him. My dilemma is why is he doing this all of a sudden and is it going to get worse? My 3 year old loves her chickens and I want her to have a good experience with them like it has been so far. I don't want our rooster to ever attack her, but if he's thinking about attacking me my guess is he will most likely attack her the same way. We've had him since he was hatched and he's been named, but I'm not opposed to "getting rid of him" if this sort of behavior only gets worse. He is a buff brahma and we got this breed specifically for their friendly pet like behavior the hatchery described them as having. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[JulieNKC]

If he is attacking you, your child will be next. Kids make roos nervous, they are loud, make jerky movements, etc. I have a sizzle roo I am trying to rehome due to the same reasons. I would eat him, but can't. Black meat and all, blech. He started being a jerk to me, then I managed to get him to respect me but he went after my 2 year old and one year old (the one year old was clear across the yard sitting playing in the dirt, she didn't provoke him one bit). My little ones aren't old enough to understand that if they go back at him when he comes after him he'll duck and run for cover, so I have no choice but to get rid of him. My kids safety comes first.

 

[rosewolf22002]

His hormones have kicked in. You have to either get rid of him or teach your kids how to protect themselves. We have a staff that we carry when they hit this phase. They learn to keep away. It sounds mean but you hit them with it and then the kids just have to point it at them.

 

[Popcorn Mcgee]

That's pretty much what I was expecting, I just was hoping not to hear that I'd have to get rid of him after all the work and attention we've given him. Dido on my kids safety, I also have a one year old and they walk with the chickens almost daily like they are part of the flock and the chickens aren't afraid of them and often will try to eat whatever is in their hands. Is a four month old chicken too young to eat if I can't re home him?

 

[Popcorn Mcgee]

If my kids were older I would definately try the staff technique, but giving my daughter a staff to point at the chicken will probably soon turn into a weapon to use on her brother. Do I need a rooster at all? I mean, I know if I want fertilized eggs I'll need one, but can we raise chickens without one? Also, are all roosters like this or should I try another rooster? Maybe a different breed?

 

[JulieNKC]

If my kids were older I would definately try the staff technique, but giving my daughter a staff to point at the chicken will probably soon turn into a weapon to use on her brother. Do I need a rooster at all? I mean, I know if I want fertilized eggs I'll need one, but can we raise chickens without one? Also, are all roosters like this or should I try another rooster? Maybe a different breed?

Not all roosters are like that. Most the one's I've had were gentlemen. Standoffish, not lap chickens, but respectful towards all people, including the little ones. If you don't want fertile eggs though, there's no reason to have one if you don't feel like dealing with one. Check craigslist or the thread for your area on here. There are plenty of sweet roos who need homes if you want to try another one.
And 4-5 months is perfect age to eat. They start to get a bit tougher after that.

 

[DavidSLynch]

I had a rooster that attacked like that. I named him "Delicious". And he was.

Sorry to be glib, but seriously, there's no reason to tolerate a mean bird. Best to replace him with a less aggressive rooster. It'll be better for the flock - and for you, the tender of of the flock.

 

[GuineaMama]

I have a Silkie Roo that will try to attack me almost every time I go in the pen unless he's distracted by food or his girls. I carry a small light weight broom with me now and if he comes at me all riled up, I just put the broom between us and he backs off. He really can't hurt me as he's too small, but he can scratch. If I have on jeans it doesn't bother me that he attacks my pant legs, but if I'm in shorts I don't want him scratching me. The broom works great.

On the other hand, I also had a huge black Australorp roo that thought he could get by with the same thing as the Silkie roo. Seperating him from the rest of the flock with just his 2 hens seemed to work as he didn't have to compete with the other 2 roosters but finding him and his girls a new home where he is the ONLY roo helped more.

 

[Ms Ellen]

Please do not keep that rooster. He is a danger to your child. It isn't worth the risk.

 

[Popcorn Mcgee]

Thanks to everyone for the great advice. My husband and I are looking into a good youtube video on how to butcher a chicken if we can't find a local person to do it for us. I went to let him out this morning and he came right back at me like he didn't skip a beat. So far my little ones like the chickens and I'd like to keep it that way. My parents had a couple of mean roosters that would attack us in the horse barn when we'd head out there to ride and it was terrifying. We'd like to continue to have fun with our kids and chickens so as much as I hate to see his beautiful self go my kids experience with the chickens is way more important to us. If anyone knows of a good link we can go to get info on butchering our first bird that would greatly appreciated. There use to be a place around the corner from us that was cheep and you'd get the chicken back looking as if you bought it at the store, very clean, but I don't think they're open anymore.