Feisty Rooster

[Hannahhubers]

I have a flock of ten and one is a rooster, at first he was really sweet to me and protected his flock. I’m not sure if he just hit “puberty” but he’s about 4 months old and is getting quite feisty with me. He still very protective of his flock but chases me everytime he sees me from across the yard. I normally walk towards him and make it clear that I’m not afraid(even though I am lol) but sometimes he sneaks up on me and my first instinct is to run!!

I’m currently the only person he shows aggression towards and I’m not sure if that’s because he sees me as a threat, because I’m very close to all my hens and was very close to him at one time. I always treated him the same at all my hens. I got them all as babies and gave them hours and hours of affection. That being said I can handle his aggression, but I have a young child and I don’t want to risk my child’s safety.

I’ve spent some time holding and petting him hoping it will calm him and improve his behavior, but I’m still not sure I can risk it with how unpredictable he’s being.

I’m wondering if this is something he will eventually grow out of and how much time should I give him?

 

[Coops Dad]

No second chances, especially since a child is at risk. Cull him and crockpot him.

 

[Mrs. K]

I agree, they are opportunist. They sneak attack, and your child can take it in the face or head. Rotten roosters have ruined the whole chicken experience for a lot of children.

A lot of cockerels are aggressive towards people, there are roosters that are not...but really there is no changing them.

Instead of getting better, he is much more apt to get much worse.

Mrs K

 

[aliris]

Wow. Came here with some of the same questions and just wow.

 

[Paz]

Many cockerels are arses, and once they turn into full grown cocks they become better, but you have a child, and it takes 8 months for a 4month cockerel to become a cock.
Here’s my suggestion, go with the kid and sit next to the chickens and just to watch them. If you do this everyday for a few weeks, the flock will get used to you just being there and watching, and the cockerel is less likely to see you and child as a threat. You’re gonna have to teach your child that watching the chickens is fine, but getting too close can scare them and make them feel uncomfortable, so they can attack.
If by any chance, the child is able to get into close contact with the cockerel without your supervision, my suggestion would be to just eat the cockerel, and eradicate the opportunity for something bad to happen.
Good luck

 

[FrostRanger]

I'd cull him. Aside from the obvious safety risk to yourself and your child he can pass on his rotten temperment to any chicks he fathers, this can even include his daughters. Behavior modification rarely works with roos and his attitude more likely than not is just going to get worse over time. Since you have a young child I'd actually reconsider keeping a rooster at all until they get older as roos can seriously hurt a child. We had a case a few months back about an aggressive roo sending someone's younger sister to the ER after he attacked her

 

[SamLockwood]

I have a flock of ten and one is a rooster, at first he was really sweet to me and protected his flock. I’m not sure if he just hit “puberty” but he’s about 4 months old and is getting quite feisty with me. He still very protective of his flock but chases me everytime he sees me from across the yard. I normally walk towards him and make it clear that I’m not afraid(even though I am lol) but sometimes he sneaks up on me and my first instinct is to run!!

I’m currently the only person he shows aggression towards and I’m not sure if that’s because he sees me as a threat, because I’m very close to all my hens and was very close to him at one time. I always treated him the same at all my hens. I got them all as babies and gave them hours and hours of affection. That being said I can handle his aggression, but I have a young child and I don’t want to risk my child’s safety.

I’ve spent some time holding and petting him hoping it will calm him and improve his behavior, but I’m still not sure I can risk it with how unpredictable he’s being.

I’m wondering if this is something he will eventually grow out of and how much time should I give him?

You've broken Rule #1 of Poultry-Keeping: never run away from poultry.

You've basically taught your rooster that he can herd you the same way he herds one of his hens. If you didn't have a small child I'd give you advice on how you can try to calm him down and train him properly, but you're just going to have to get rid of him.

I love kids, but small children are noisy, hyper-active idiots who will try the patience of the most docile and well-trained dogs I've ever owned. Until your kid consistently demonstrates some sense around animals, I'd avoid keeping a rooster entirely and consider keeping the chickens locked up when the child is loose in the yard.

If your first instinct is to run away from a bird that doesn't even weigh 10 pounds, I'd consider avoiding keeping roosters altogther.

 

[Folly's place]

Good advice!
Your cockerel is dangerous, especially towards a child, and needs to be gone very soon.
Many of us have started with an obnoxious rooster, tried to manage, tolerate, and 'reform' the idiot, and failed. And never did we back down or run away from one! This really reinforces his behavior, not a good thing.
There are lovely roosters out there, who do their job, watching out for their hens, and not spending their time stalking the giants who feed them!
Mary