ROOSTERS... again!

[Egg-Cellent Eggs]

Okay, I have had about 6 roosters now. At least 2 in each batch of chicks. I have gotten rid of 5/6. But the sixth? Well, he attacks me. I need help getting him in his place. What should I do to make him stop attacking me and put him in his place? THX!

Also, I would have put this in predators and pests, but I didn't! I would have because that rooster is a pest and I'm so scared I barely go out there to let them out of the coop!

 

[azygous]

It might fit better in the Chicken Behaviors forum, but I doubt anyone will mind you put your thread here.

Training a cockerel to behave is a challenge and a commitment. To put it as simply as possible, you need to treat him as if he's invisible when he's being a good boy and minding his own business. That means you don't hassle him for showing interest in the hens and trying to mate them.

On the other hand, you will need to immobilize and discipline him on the spot if he gets out of line and comes at you for any reason, including doing his little "dance" at your feet. To do this you hold him immobile until he submits and then release him. No hurting him.

Keeping your role and his role separate is crucial. Ignoring him when he's just doing normal rooster stuff shows you trust him, but he must reciprocate. You can demonstrated to him he needs to respect you by walking right over him if he's blocking your path, and disciplining him if he shows any aggression toward you or any other human. But you do not want to handle him except when absolutely necessary. No stroking or hugs.

 

[50-45-1]

I'm so scared I barely go out there to let them out of the coop!

if you have a dog crate or kennel, go out after dark with a dim flashlight and take this rooster off the roost and put him in the cage.
the next day you can rehome him or cull him.
as you can see i am not for trying to rehabilitate a dangerous rooster. there are way to many nice roosters being culled everyday to keep a nasty one. Seriously, just check Craigslist, everybody is trying to find good homes for there extra roosters right now. Nice Roosters.
at the very least, trim his spurs if he is old enough to have them, because with spurs he can severely injure you. not to mention if you have small children around. it could mean a trip to the emergency room.
This rooster is ruining your chicken experience. why let him?

interested to know if your rooster was hand raised. you know....picked up alot, hand fed and had a lot of human contact.
i have learned to never befriend my roosters. i believe it leads to a lack of fear and respect for you and thus the Attacking...

 

[aart]

I have gotten rid of 5/6. But the sixth? Well, he attacks me.

Get rid of him too?

 

[Acre4Me]

If you have any kids around, particularly little ones, get rid of him. Eat or sell. Kids are the first targets and at just the right height to get eye or face damage.

otherwise, if no kids and you want to keep him, then give him his own separate area. You still need to attend to the chickens, so keep him out of your way.

if you plan to keep him and keep him in the run, then you’ll need to deal with him. Our 21 month old rooster does not like me and will occasionally try to attack. He’s attacked all of us at least once, but gotten kicked 2x due to that instinct we all have to protect ourselves from objects hurling towards us. I’ve never kicked him bc I’ve never trusted him and never let him out of my sight. But it’s me he has in his sights. So, I take a piece of rebar with me -it is stiff and narrow. I do not hit him with it. I use it in front of me, as an extension of me, not pointing at him. It is the part of me closest to him so that is what he will encounter first. When he’s feeling particularly aggressive, he will bite it. He doesn’t like that. If he does it again, or doesn’t move away, I tap him in the head -this is a chicken reprimand that he understands. He moves away, but sometimes still will approach me and look for an opportunity to attack, so I always have my stick with me. Currently, he’s molting, so not aggressive really at all right now.

good luck

 

[jolenesdad]

Get rid of him too?

My thoughts too. Why get rid of five yet keep the jerk?

 

[Folly's place]

Polite rooster are wonderful, and the jerks taste great.
Mary

 

[Egg-Cellent Eggs]

Thanks! I’m actually going to get rid of him very soon!

 

[Egg-Cellent Eggs]

He's GONE!!!