Is this cockerel behavior predictive?

[SemiSweet2391]

Today I noticed our 3 month old surprise cockerel charging at one of his brood mates, our 3 month old white Polish. I think I’ve noticed other signs of aggression too, like pecking at his flock mates and he has pecked at me a time or two.

In your experience, is this behavior most likely indicative of a future bad tempered rooster? Or is he just a grumpy teenager? Pic of him for fun!

 

[HollowOfWisps]

No I wouldn’t consider it aggressive behavior in young birds. Have you ever seen little boys play? I have 6 and 7 year old boys. They will charge, tackle, wrestle, throw on boxing gloves and start boxing with each other you name it. Charging, chest bumping and horsing around in young chickens is just youngins being youngins. What I consider aggressive for young cockerels is pecking other chickens to the point of drawing blood/injury, being relentless with grabbing onto the ladies and not letting go, actively attempting to spur another male (to a degree some of this is normal pecking order sorting), jumping at a human or trying to spur humans.

 

[CoopBoots]

A little roughhousing is normal amongst his broodmates as they establish their own pecking order. No blood or injuries, I let them do their thing. A cockerel that habitually pecks my hand, however, rather than backing away or expecting treats, is more of a concern. I'd try more frequent treats and see if I could get that to stop... If it continues, I'm not going to trust that boy and that will guide my future plans with him (for example: will he pass his distrust or aggression to his future babies? Can I work around a rooster who is likely to attack or at least continue hurting me when I handle him or the hens for health reasons? Can I keep guests/children/chicken-sitters safe from pecks, and will the behavior escalate?) I usually don't keep those unless I have a really, really important reason.

 

[SemiSweet2391]

A little roughhousing is normal amongst his broodmates as they establish their own pecking order. No blood or injuries, I let them do their thing. A cockerel that habitually pecks my hand, however, rather than backing away or expecting treats, is more of a concern. I'd try more frequent treats and see if I could get that to stop... If it continues, I'm not going to trust that boy and that will guide my future plans with him (for example: will he pass his distrust or aggression to his future babies? Can I work around a rooster who is likely to attack or at least continue hurting me when I handle him or the hens for health reasons? Can I keep guests/children/chicken-sitters safe from pecks, and will the behavior escalate?) I usually don't keep those unless I have a really, really important reason.

Yeah this is exactly why I don’t have long term plans to keep him. I have a three year old son who has no idea that chickens could hurt him; his concept of them is they are a cute animal, nothing more. Just want to be on the lookout for any early warning signs!

 

[SemiSweet2391]

No I wouldn’t consider it aggressive behavior in young birds. Have you ever seen little boys play? I have 6 and 7 year old boys. They will charge, tackle, wrestle, throw on boxing gloves and start boxing with each other you name it. Charging, chest bumping and horsing around in young chickens is just youngins being youngins. What I consider aggressive for young cockerels is pecking other chickens to the point of drawing blood/injury, being relentless with grabbing onto the ladies and not letting go, actively attempting to spur another male (to a degree some of this is normal pecking order sorting), jumping at a human or trying to spur humans.

Ok, thank you! I will keep watching for escalation

 

[Mrs. K]

With a three year old, don't wait. What would the point of waiting be? Thing is, they tend to attack children first- often times inexperienced people will say the attack came out of nowhere. A little one could take than in the head or face. Just don't wait.

 

[SemiSweet2391]

With a three year old, don't wait. What would the point of waiting be? Thing is, they tend to attack children first- often times inexperienced people will say the attack came out of nowhere. A little one could take than in the head or face. Just don't wait.

Well, I guess I thought I’d wait till he was big enough so we could eat him (the chicken, not my son). But if you think it might be too risky I would get rid of him ASAP (once again, the chicken, not my son )

 

[SemiSweet2391]

Well, I guess I thought I’d wait till he was big enough so we could eat him (the chicken, not my son). But if you think it might be too risky I would get rid of him ASAP (once again, the chicken, not my son )

Also, I don’t really let my son into the chicken run with me anymore, but he does like to look at the chickens through the hardware cloth (1/2 in). Naturally he is my first priority and the cockerel will go if it’s too risky.

 

[Maahi]

Today I noticed our 3 month old surprise cockerel charging at one of his brood mates, our 3 month old white Polish. I think I’ve noticed other signs of aggression too, like pecking at his flock mates and he has pecked at me a time or two.

In your experience, is this behavior most likely indicative of a future bad tempered rooster? Or is he just a grumpy teenager? Pic of him for fun!

I personally don't have a rooster yet so I can't completely say what cockerals are like growing up. However, I see both the normal play and pecking order stuff, as well as outright aggressive behavior from my hens. I ended up with two flocks because of it. My younger flock will charge at each other in more of a non-threatenting way, and fluff their feathers and bounce around, almost like child's play. And occasionally if they are eating something, the more dominant hens will peck or chase the not so dominant hens away. But nothing bad. (Also I'm not sure if this is your first time with chickens or just with a cockerel)

My other flock is a rescue flock. They are very attached to each other but don't like other chickens. The dominant hen of this group has more than once outright attacked hens from the other flock while I had been trying to get them all used to each other. She would chase, grab and pull out feathers, grab their combs and pull or push them and hold them on the ground while she claws at them with her feet. Needless to say I gave up trying to integrate them all. Two coops it is. Oddly enough that particular hen doesn't have issues with her 'sisters', and she is very good to me (unless I'm putting myself in the midst of one of her full on brawls)

In regards to pecking; a curious peck, or a peck to try to eat something they see on you is different than an aggressive peck. Like my hens will peck at my toes, bandages, dirt on me, treats and my skin gets in the way, and it can pinch sometimes but not cause concern. When I had to step between my bratty hen when she was attacking, she latched unto my skin hard and pulled until she realized it was me and not another chicken. So that was very painful and gave me a bruise.

So currently, I'd say as long as all you see is what I described in the first paragraph, then that's not necessarily an issue, as others have stated. If he is going to be aggressive, that will show up one day in a lot worse forms, like my stinkin' bratty hen. (Some people wouldn't keep her, but I'm trying to be understanding of her past experiences as well as the fact that she is good with her own flock and sweet to me. As long as she can't get to the other flock she is fine) Roosters, just like hens, are playful social creatures that also establish an order of who is the boss.

In regards to children; no matter the animal it's always important to supervise interactions and to teach children to respect animals and their space and bodies. As Mrs. K said, often it's people that instigate a situation to happen and then blame the animals. Of course if there really is aggression that needs to be dealt with. But if it's just normal stuff, then just supervise and teach. Of course, things sometimes can happen even with non aggressive animals. For example in my younger flock I have one girl who is not aggressive but has a thing for eyeballs and teeth. All chickens like to peck those spots if given the chance, but some or more interested than others. So I learned that I had to especially take care when holding or having my face near hers for any reason. I make sure to keep plenty of space.

With my chickens I make sure to handle them daily and give them yummy treats so they see me as something good, not to be scared or aggressive to. If you are not already, make sure to spend time with them, even just sitting and watching them or reading a book with them for awhile, it helps them see that you are not a threat and you can really get to see their personalities.

Anytime I see one of my girls trying to be too bossy, I carefully but firmly 'peck' at them with my fingers and tell them 'no' and move them along. (The bratty one takes more effort when she attacks though) They now view me as their 'rooster' because I protect, provide goodies, and discipline when needed. They all submit to me when I come up to pet/pick them up, even the bratty hen now. I've also heard of some mean rooster's owners challenging them and making them submit to them. The rooster is still in charge of the hens, but the person is in charge of the rooster. However that does not work for all mean roosters, only some. (Hens submitting will not really show until they are near or at laying age)

Sorry for the long post, just my personal experiences. Hope it helps!

Btw, your cockerel is absolutely adorable!

 

[Mrs. K]

As Mrs. K said, often it's people that instigate a situation to happen and then blame the animals.

No, I did not say that, you misunderstood. Personally, I do not buy that theory that rooster behavior is because of human behavior. I think some roosters are just aggressive. No one lives in the coop, so I do not think human training has much effect. The brain in a chicken is pretty small, and if one waits until aggression is showing it is IMO too late.

I do think that a cockerel raised up in a multi-generational flock has better chicken social manners. However, if he is going to be human aggressive, he will do so. I think roosters are a crap shoot, sometimes you get a good one and sometimes you don't.

Space is probably the one thing that people can influence in their flocks that has a positive or negative outcome with the behavior of the whole flock, including the rooster.

What I meant is that roosters are often opportunists, and will pick their battles with the eye on success, so it is common for the first attack to be towards a child, a small child can take that to the head and face.

Mrs K