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I have raised, rescued and rehabilitated various species of farmed and domestic animals the majority of my life. Recently I have implemented a program specifically for "problem" roos; I educate the poultry keepers on common behaviors and how to deal with them in a way that is natural and understandable. Afterwards, I might supervise them in one-on-one session while they interact with their roos at home, in a way that will leave both of them more confident in each other. I will explain the 'kind method' further in down this page. After many years, and many cases, I have not met an untamable roo yet. Sometimes as caregivers, we make mistakes. Failure is not a bad thing if we learn from it; It can be though, if we continue passing the buck. I continue to grow in my understanding of animal behavior through thoughtful experience with them, and the constant reflection of our human behavior that echos theirs. I build my opinions based on research done by the experts in the fields of veterinary, animal therapy, training and rehabilitation and such.

The behavior of male chickens can be explained by a number of factors but can be described in two categories which is Nurture (which can be environment, given stimuli, or how they were raised), and Nature (which can be likened to genes, innate behaviors, or typical actions associated with species).

Let's begin with the Nature of chickens:
Domestic chickens today were descended from the beautiful wild jungle fowl from South Asia. However, humans have bred most farmed animals for traits, and at rates, that would not be selected or seen in the natural state where the reality of an animal's physical and genetic makeup, would have been carefully selected for only the fittest and most diverse traits suited for each relative environment. Life on Earth has crafted distinct, but various, behaviors, physical and mental, tools that must aide in the ultimate survival of each species. These can include mental or physical behaviors such as: migration, echolocation, communication, predation, aggression, and mutualism between two individuals or species.

In the real wild animals largely learn to adapt or will suffer the penalties. So, the nurture, or learning aspect, also has an obvious hand in this. Animals have three immediate, instinctual reactions to a perceived threat, which is: Freeze, Flight, or Fight. Like humans, animals can deal with stress and fear by falling back on nature's primitive defense mechanisms. Without this in the toolkit, we might experience the significant mental damage from overstress or "fear", The latter releases adrenaline into the bloodstream. Defense is the base of what we call aggression, and this will be used in moments of competition, fear and stress.

Chickens have evolved a hierarchy called a 'pecking order'. This allows the strongest birds to access the best resources, but this will also allow the dominate males who are usually largest and strongest, or the most wiry and fittest, of the flock, to be the official defender. At around 6-8 months old, the male's body begins releasing male hormones to aid him in his role of being a male, and he will start realizing, and acting on, a need to court hens and defend the flock. As the guardian, it is very important to him to be in charge of his hens and territory. This often results in aggressive behavior directed at caregivers. While socializing your rooster early will help prevent him from seeing you as a threat, roosters are subject to hormones and the instinct to protect. This is because of the hormones that help compass his behavior. While it can be alarming, it is common and natural; You can help regulate this behavior by reassuring him that you, as the flock caregiver, are in charge of the situation and he has nothing to fear. There are usually a few options available, but your best interest is to choose act in a way with that is safest for each of you. This does not mean trying to admonish him, or force your dominance by holding him down, picking him up by the legs, or etc. This is dangerous advice because it not only fails to correct the root of the issue, which is his fear, but also makes it even worse. He will react by trying to assert his dominance over you and will return for the "rematch" later when you do not expect it. Unsolved conflict is a significant issue. You are not the rival of your rooster.You are a caregiver, so should act accordingly.

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In societies, the basics of cooperation or competition are dual monitors that regulate its members. Aggression is a popular survival tools that aides in competition between prey and predator, or two males battling for top in the pecking order, along with its benefits.




The Nurture part of rooster behavior is one that conditions his reflexes to align with his modern learning. This is a familiar concept amongst animal species and people. Humans have several distinct characteristics that aid us in our role of leaders, and stewards. Although to anthropomorphize an animal, or act like they have these unique human qualities, is faulty, it is obvious that they, in fact, do possess "personalities" as we define them, and emotions also. They are certainly not robotic, or feelingless either. It would be unwise to suggest they are not similar to us in all the most important ways and are certainly enough so to receive consideration.

When a roo is considering an unfamiliar concept -perhaps a change, such as your shiny, boot clad foot- he could begin to overthink, or increase his thinking levels to a state of panic. Raising your voice, kicking or reacting back negatively, is only increasing your thinking levels to match his. Now you both are reacting to the "fear" of the unknown and learning to be anxious towards each other in the future, while escalating the situation at hand. You probably have experienced this when in an argument with another person; Whenever you raised your voice, they reacted by perhaps getting more visibly upset. When conflict is allowed to remain unresolved, it may create feelings of distrust and disrespect. In animal communication, reacting like this will prove that the cock is right to fear the perceived problem, because you appear to fear "it" also.

Perception is based on how we feel, and overthinking leads us to believe there is a problem.View attachment 4076914 Anxiety is likewise related to a fear of the unknown. If a roo is suddenly displaying temper issues, know it is caused by fear, and it is temporary, for the most part, if you are able to correct it immediately. The method best suggested for this is a kind one in which a person will not provoke the roo, but swiftly pick him up in a safe and gentle manner that will make his weapons useless. He will learn by realizing you are not a harm after all. This happens when you create an environment that allows his thinking levels to lower. By picking him up, he is offered a chance to think clearly. This is where he will learn confidence himself; the fastest change happens when the animal realizes their own learning. He will change his perception and therefore, his beliefs will curb his reaction. I suggest following the below steps:

Warning: If you are afraid of your roo, do not try to attempt taming unless you are sure you can do so without injury. Cocks can be most dangerous with an unsuspecting or unconfident person.
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This does not always work the first time and may need repeated every day, preferably any time he attempts to jump you, until his fight is gone. As you can see, the biology of male chickens is dependent on a mixture of nurturing and innate and genetic patterns. However, in a world with constantly changing scenes, animals have adapted to rely on learned behaviors, reflexes, imprinting, and conditioning more so noticeably than the genetic vehicles we relate to evolution.

Folks that cannot follow these steps thoroughly, or in the case there are additional factors, such as pets, small children or simply someone there who tends to flail loudly and routinely, it could be better for all involved for you to rehome to another responsible person willing to understandably take your roo under their wing and give him the care he will need. Ideally, you might want to reach out to friends, post on social media, ask 4-H programs, or get permission to leave an ad at your local feed store. Be clear and list all his information such as age, breed, and usual behaviors and your reason for rehoming along with your preferred contact information. It is your responsibility to place your roo in a good home and also be sure the person taking him is aware, and experienced, with this kind of behavior. Here are some good questions to ask a person interested in your roo:

(1. What do they intend to do with him?
(2. Where will he be housed, and can they send a picture?
(3. Have they had chickens before, or are they experienced?
(4. If it were to happen again, how will they deal with it?
(5. How will he be cared for, or looked after?

These questions will sort out, or ward off, insincere folks looking for a bait bird or cheap dinner, and place him in a home where he will be tended to properly. Do not hand your rooster over to someone you don't feel right about. No-kill shelters and sanctuaries are good ideas, but only as last resort if your roo is unrehome-able or will need the extra care they will provide, as these places typically are for the unwanted or unadoptable.

A code of principles, or solid ethics, is the stock in trade of anyone who raises or tends to animals in a domestic setting, and these need thoughtful consideration. I hope you gained some sort of insight from this article. My goal is to use my time to educate others about their animals, to positively enhance, manage, or forge, the animal/human relationship. Kindness pays.
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