Territorial Barred Rock Rooster. Advice appreciated.

[NinjaGamer2022]

We have a barred rock rooster that got attacked a week+ ago. He was very sweet when I first brought him in (I thought he was a hen). But these last few days he gets aggressive when I feed him or give him water. He bites my hand and I believe tries to mount it in dominance. When I let him out of the cage or hold him he is nice but when he is in his cage he gets violent. I didn't mind at first since no blood was drawn but today he went a bit crazy for a moment a gave me a very small cut but I am worried because if we can't get this under control he will be chicken dinner. We can't risk super violent roosters. Advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[DobieLover]

What cage is he in?
What attacked him?
How old is he?

 

[NinjaGamer2022]

What cage is he in?
What attacked him?
How old is he?

He is in a cage that is like a small dog crate.
Another poultry we own, unsure of which one. It pulled many of his tail feathers that caused bleeding so I brought him in.
He is somewhere around 3+ months old.

 

[DobieLover]

Okay. So he's actually just a cockerel and not a rooster. That actually makes a difference here. Because he was attacked and you've got him in a very small confined area he feels threatened and is there for attacking you to defend himself.
If he has completely healed from the attack I would put him back with a flock unless you've got a second cockerel. In which case the best thing to do at this point would be to rehome him.
How many birds do you have: how many pullets, how many cockerels, how many hens, how many roosters?
How large is their coop in feet by feet?
How large is their run in feet by feet?
What is in the run?

 

[Mrs. K]

I agree with the above, but I am going to add, that I don't think you are going to get him back into your flock successfully after a week of being out, as in now everyone is going to get along. I think this bird is out of the flock. When you put him back in, there will be another attack.

His attacking me would make it easier for me to let him go.

But more information would be quite helpful.

Mrs K

 

[NinjaGamer2022]

Okay. So he's actually just a cockerel and not a rooster. That actually makes a difference here. Because he was attacked and you've got him in a very small confined area he feels threatened and is there for attacking you to defend himself.
If he has completely healed from the attack I would put him back with a flock unless you've got a second cockerel. In which case the best thing to do at this point would be to rehome him.
How many birds do you have: how many pullets, how many cockerels, how many hens, how many roosters?
How large is their coop in feet by feet?
How large is their run in feet by feet?
What is in the run?

He was in a chicken tractor with ~30 other birds including a few guinea fowl.
There was at least one other cockerel in there. At the time I thought the barred rock was a hen.
They get their tractor moved at least once a day.
They're out growing their space but still have plenty of room to move about and we are looking into enclosure options.
I am planning to introduce him to a new flock (we have more than one flock) in the future but can't right now.
He behaves when he's not in the cage just when he's in the cage he gets aggressive.

 

[DobieLover]

He was in a chicken tractor with ~30 other birds including a few guinea fowl.
There was at least one other cockerel in there. At the time I thought the barred rock was a hen.
They get their tractor moved at least once a day.
They're out growing their space but still have plenty of room to move about and we are looking into enclosure options.
I am planning to introduce him to a new flock (we have more than one flock) in the future but can't right now.
He behaves when he's not in the cage just when he's in the cage he gets aggressive.

Your tractor has a minimum of 300 sq ft in it?
I'd rehome the guy. Don't put him back in that tractor.
And if you are determined to put him with another flock, he will need to be properly integrated to it in a look, don't touch crate for at least a week and released to the flock provided they have at least 10 sq ft per bird in their enclosure. More is far better, especially with integration.

 

[gimmie birdies]

People are going to get bored with me, but
When he bites you he is actually happy to see you and wants to get a reaction. You cannot show fear, but if you pick him up and carry him around he will learn not to do this. Also do you have adult hen separate from hens his age? if you put them together he will learn from the older hens he is not "all that". Never offer a foot to fight or a broom to push him off, he makes it a game. If he comes up to you and pretends to eat, he is getting ready to attack, pick him up. Walk around him with purpose. Never let a 10-12 year old to "play" with roosters, they will teach them bad habits that you will blame the rooster for.

 

[NinjaGamer2022]

Your tractor has a minimum of 300 sq ft in it?
I'd rehome the guy. Don't put him back in that tractor.
And if you are determined to put him with another flock, he will need to be properly integrated to it in a look, don't touch crate for at least a week and released to the flock provided they have at least 10 sq ft per bird in their enclosure. More is far better, especially with integration.

They are all about 3 months old, they don't have that amount of space but we are looking into getting them new enclosures very soon.
I don't plan to put him back with that flock, I hope to soon put him with another flock.
If I add all different birds at the same time do they need to be introduced in the mentioned manner? Thx,

 

[Mrs. K]

I cannot imagine a tractor big enough for 30 birds that you could easily move.

I think you are going to have a lot more problems with behavior rather soon. What was more than enough space for chicks, often becomes not enough space as they reach full size.

Some birds can take over crowding and some cannot.

Mrs K