My rooster isn’t a youngster anymore

[Lulu-vt]

My roo is very protective of his coop. Which is great. But sometimes I need to clean it out. And I have to go inside at least once a day. Today was the first day he went at me with both feet. How can I tame him a little and show him I’m not a threat. I actually thought we had a great relationship!
The hens recently started laying so things are slightly different than they have been.

 

[User690263]

Here's a thread that might be useful. Hope this helps! @Debbie292d and @2ndTink can probably give you good advice.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-tame-your-roosters.1591762/

 

[Lulu-vt]

Here's a thread that might be useful. Hope this helps! @Debbie292d and @2ndTink can probably give you good advice.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-tame-your-roosters.1591762/

Awesome. Thanks!!

 

[Debbie292d]

If your rooster normally is tame, but now you're doing things that are agitating him, I'd stop. Can you shut them all out while you clean it, or do this coop cleaning at night?

Otherwise, consider horse bedding pellets? We use those and don't touch them until every spring we change them out with fresh.

We still have where they sleep, on top of the nest boxes to clean though, so if I had a rooster getting ticked off at me, I'd just kick them all out and do it then.

 

[Lulu-vt]

If your rooster normally is tame, but now you're doing things that are agitating him, I'd stop. Can you shut them all out while you clean it, or do this coop cleaning at night?

Otherwise, consider horse bedding pellets? We use those and don't touch them until every spring we change them out with fresh.

We still have where they sleep, on top of the nest boxes to clean though, so if I had a rooster getting ticked off at me, I'd just kick them all out and do it then.

I need to collect eggs every day. It’s not a huge deal because I can wait for them to go outside. I was able to coax him out today with some scratch. But I’d prefer he be nicer to me. For all I’ve done for him!!

 

[Debbie292d]

I need to collect eggs every day. It’s not a huge deal because I can wait for them to go outside. I was able to coax him out today with some scratch. But I’d prefer he be nicer to me. For all I’ve done for him!!

He should get better as he gets older. My older roosters all just stand there, or get out of my way. The younger ones peck my boots. None come at me, now, but I've had one that did. He's still here, and now that he's older, he's a great rooster.

 

[Lulu-vt]

He should get better as he gets older. My older roosters all just stand there, or get out of my way. The younger ones peck my boots. None come at me, now, but I've had one that did. He's still here, and now that he's older, he's a great rooster.

Ok. Good to hear. He’s always been friendly until today.

 

[2ndTink]

I don't have tons of experience with cockerels and roosters, we had one rooster for 3 years and he was MEAN, he'd hunt me down and flog me. He was awful, I hatched several chicks from him this year and his cockerels all went mean too, so they aren't here anymore, and neither is the mean rooster.

I hatched out a bunch of other chicks this year too and the dozen boys I've kept are all wonderful and I haven't had to do anything special. They've just remained great guys and I go about my business whether they are in the bachelor flock or in with hens.

My opinion is it was genetic, probably super high testosterone or whatever it is that gives a chicken their crazy drive. When we processed him and his sons, they had super hige testicles compared to the calmer boys we did. Same for some aggressive ones my friend brought over to process, for the most part, the meaner they were the bigger testes they had

Follow the suggestions given and hopefully you two can come to an understanding or at least a peacable way to get through chore time.

 

[Mrs. K]

When you say older, how old are we talking? Because later you say your 'hens' are beginning to lay. Do you mean pullets are laying or older hens coming into lay after a molt.

Personally, in the picture he is giving you the stink eye. I think he will get more and more aggressive. Really I don't buy the 'he owns the coop' argument.

You need to be very aware, and if you want, you can lock him out, while you do chores. Carry a broom, or a garbage can lid for protection. Do wear long pants and boots when you are there.

Thing is, you really can't trust him, and it will get tedious always watching your back when you are down there with them. I just don't think he is a keeper. A lot of people on here have tried to train them, most with very limited results.

Mrs K

 

[Lulu-vt]

When you say older, how old are we talking? Because later you say your 'hens' are beginning to lay. Do you mean pullets are laying or older hens coming into lay after a molt.

Personally, in the picture he is giving you the stink eye. I think he will get more and more aggressive. Really I don't buy the 'he owns the coop' argument.

You need to be very aware, and if you want, you can lock him out, while you do chores. Carry a broom, or a garbage can lid for protection. Do wear long pants and boots when you are there.

Thing is, you really can't trust him, and it will get tedious always watching your back when you are down there with them. I just don't think he is a keeper. A lot of people on here have tried to train them, most with very limited results.

Mrs K

He’s not really “older”, just not a chick anymore. We got him in April. So he is just now mating with the hens.