young rooster with an attitude problem

[Muffinburgler]

My rooster is about nine months old, and he's been getting steadily more rude. Before he would jump us if our backs were turned, but now he's attacking as soon as we get near. I used to give him a smack on the butt with a broom and that would send him running doing the "I'm so offended!" cluck and that was that, but now not even the broom stops him and he'll continue to attack until I leave the yard. I was hoping this was just his hormones and was going to wait until he was older and more calm, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen.
So my question is, should I continue to wait and see if he'll mature and calm down, or should I just send him packing? He's a beautiful silver-colored sizzle rooster and he protects the flock so well, so I'd hate to lose him, but I also miss just sitting in the run with my hens without watching my back.

 

[sourland]

Well, when you consider the fact that any sons of his will also probably be human aggressive, I'd get rid of him and replace him with a calmer rooster. Our chickens are not supposed to be an aggravation.

 

[Muffinburgler]

If we got rid of him I doubt we'll get another rooster. He was actually supposed to be a hen, but you know how that goes

 

[Sparkleyhead]

I too was "blessed" with 3 accidental roosters myself so I do indeed know how that goes My guys are roughly about 5 months old give or take a week or two and I have had one mature completely (he's a bantam) and one of the other guys is maturing now. When they would drop their wing and shuffle towards me I would give him a light swat and and a short chase to show them I'm boss and thus far it has worked quite well. The bantam is sweet as can be and the other guy is wary. But your guy sounds like he has already crossed the line into ******* land. I would try annoying him with love. If he attacks or even if he doesn't, pick him him up and carry him around like a football for a while each day or whenever you have time. Maybe he will learn to love you, or maybe he will get so sick of being picked up and toted around that he will run for the hills every time he sees you. It's a crazy idea, but it might be worth a try if you want to keep him, or it might backfire completely depending on how big of a jerk he is. Best of luck to you!!

 

[bobbi-j]

You're the only one who can decide what to do with your rooster. How long do you want to keep watching your back or getting attacked every time you go out to the chickens? Personally, I have chickens for the enjoyment of raising them. Yes, we eat the eggs and process them, but if I didn't enjoy having them, we'd buy our eggs and meat. I will not keep one that takes away that joy by wanting to attack me. Of course you could try "taming" him, but that might just make him wary of you, but not others. Do you want to keep a rooster that's a potential liability? Do you want to keep a rooster that's stealing your enjoyment of your hens? Sounds to me like he'd make a nice meal.

 

[Mrs. K]

You need to seriously consider if a child or a neighbor were attacked....

 

[NoelleK]

I have a 10 month old Bantam Buff Orp Roo.... He is getting WAY too big for his britches.... Little jerk will bite if I try to smother him with love and has drawn blood when collecting eggs... He needs to go, but is such a good protector and lover to his girls (all standard sized...) and even calls them all over when he finds the good food , then steps away to let them eat. None of his eggs will be hatched hatch (even though three of his girls are Buff Orps too) and his crow does NOT bother any of the neighbors, but he is starting to take away from the "fun" of having the chickens. I am too sentimental to "do the deed"so he has an ad on CL and at the local feed store. We will see...