My rooster attacked me

[alevr]

My chickens are now 5 months old (23 weeks exactly). Yesterday my rooster tried to attack me for the first time ever. Which is odd behavior because he is a good boy Lol I hold him and feed him from my hand. I’m not sure if it was because my hair was down (I rarely have it down with them bc it’s too long), my new glasses, or my jacket. I am thinking my jacket because I fed them some raisins and he was fine I put my jacket back on and tried to feed him again and he tried to attack me again. My male ducks (runner) did not like that he tried to attack me the first time and went after him when he tried to follow me inside and he tried to jump at them but got scared and ran away. 1. Is there way to make sure he does not continue this behavior?
2. I am terrified of my chickens getting gapeworm lol. I see my chickens open up their beaks like if they are yawning I’ve been watching them they occasionally do it. This morning I saw my rooster drink some water and then shake his head twice. He also does the yawning thing as well but this is the first time I saw him shake his head. Is this gapeworm? Or is this normal? I do not know what breed he is. Lol
Thank you

(Edited to say. No I don’t think he attacked me because I gave him treats. He hasn’t done it again. I thought maybe it was my jacket because it had gold maybe it was too sparkly for him. Hurt his eyes. Or maybe my super long hair freaked him out blowing in the wind because it is always in a bun. I am super super new to this. I know roosters aren’t cute and cuddly)

He used to be a good boy lol. My profile picture shows him in my shirt cuddling with me haha.

 

[Poultrybonkers]

Coddling rooster makes them more aggressive is what I heard then again I never did and my one roosters pacing the fence wanting to flog me

 

[Isadora]

Your boy is at a prime age for acting out do to all his raging hormones. Likely it's because he is trying to dominate you, not because he doesn't like your jacket or whatever else. Handraising them doesn't mean they'll be sweet, unfortunately.
Personally I don't keep agressive roosters because I have small children and can't risk an attack to their faces. Plus it's no fun to spend time with the chickens if I constantly have to be looking over my shoulder for a sneak attack rooster.

 

[nuthatched]

The head shaking and yawning is normal for birds, it's normal for drinking and crop adjustment.
Treating a rooster like a pet can cause a rooster to loose any fear of you, now that he's hit his hormones, he's sees you as an equal and in his mind, he needs to be in charge of you so he's going to try make flog you into submission.
You can try to hold him down for about 10-15 seconds, when you tries something so he learns to submit. Don't run or walk away. His behavior might be trained out but sometimes you can't.

 

[Mrs. K]

It always amazes me when people think they are to blame for the actions of a rooster. It is not the coat or the raisins or hair. Chickens society is based on respect, and respect is rather similar to fear.

With dog and cats, you treat them nice, they become life long friends. Roosters often times misinterpret your being nice as in you are afraid of him, there for with a little aggression you will give him respect. The thing is, you are not a chicken and won't turn into one for him. So many times, the attacks become more and more aggressive.

Some people can tolerate this physical abuse, I do not. You do need to be very aware, that other people may not want to be attacked by him, especially children. So don't let anyone go see the chickens unless you have him firmly locked up.

Do come up with a plan B if his attacks get worse, I would expect them too. Some people have had luck training a rooster, but more have not.

Mrs K

 

[alevr]

It always amazes me when people think they are to blame for the actions of a rooster. It is not the coat or the raisins or hair. Chickens society is based on respect, and respect is rather similar to fear.

With dog and cats, you treat them nice, they become life long friends. Roosters often times misinterpret your being nice as in you are afraid of him, there for with a little aggression you will give him respect. The thing is, you are not a chicken and won't turn into one for him. So many times, the attacks become more and more aggressive.

Some people can tolerate this physical abuse, I do not. You do need to be very aware, that other people may not want to be attacked by him, especially children. So don't let anyone go see the chickens unless you have him firmly locked up.

Do come up with a plan B if his attacks get worse, I would expect them too. Some people have had luck training a rooster, but more have not.

Mrs K

No I don’t think he attacked me because I gave him treats. He hasn’t done it again. I thought maybe it was my jacket because it had gold maybe it was too sparkly for him. Hurt his eyes. Or maybe my super long hair freaked him out blowing in the wind because it is always in a bun. I am super super new to this. I know roosters aren’t cute and cuddly. He can react to something he doesn’t like that I am doing. He hasn’t done it again. I posted this on Facebook as well and many people commented that their roosters attack them when they do not like a certain piece of attire they are wearing.
Thanks for your comment.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

No I don’t think he attacked me because I gave him treats. He hasn’t done it again. I thought maybe it was my jacket because it had gold maybe it was too sparkly for him. Hurt his eyes. Or maybe my super long hair freaked him out blowing in the wind because it is always in a bun. I am super super new to this. I know roosters aren’t cute and cuddly. He can react to something he doesn’t like that I am doing. He hasn’t done it again. I posted this on Facebook as well and many people commented that their roosters attack them when they do not like a certain piece of attire they are wearing.
Thanks for your comment.

I don't think it was a piece of clothing - I think he's pumped full of testosterone and trying to dominate you.

 

[alevr]

I don't think it was a piece of clothing - I think he's pumped full of testosterone and trying to dominate you.

Ok thank you.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

For the gapeworm thing, catch him and shine a light down his throat. If you can see little worms latched onto his throat walls, yes, he's got gapeworm.

 

[Acre4Me]

I’m glad he has not attacked again.

Just be aware, a rooster (not just yours) is unpredictable. Yours is in the throes of high hormone levels, and youth. He may become aggressive, he may not. But, if there are children involved, keep him separated bc children are at a height to get seriously injured from a rooster (eyes/face), or simply terrified, which will cause them to be negative about chickens.