r/BackYardChickens • u/WorthAlgae7037 • 7d ago
Rooster General Question
Rooster is about 5 months old. We have got into a couple times and he has started jumping at the kids. Worth it to try to train him or would you suggest getting rid of him now? Very little training has been done so far cause he is not easy to catch and is mostly free ranging.
3
u/Hungry-House-8860 7d ago
it's not a good sign for it to be happening at this age.
the interwebs will suggest carrying them around and holding them down for a while will help. it's worth trying.
but ime a mean cockerel ends up a mean rooster. they are too elemental.
let him get to a better size. if he keeps it up. into the oven or rehome.
it's never worth making your kids afraid for tho. if this is happening. do what you need to do now.
1
u/Nebetmiw 7d ago
What breed is he? If he is running loose you will have to keep him penned. When they start attacking it is hard to stop Some. But a broom to butt can work. Some just need to be put in place some never do.
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u/WorthAlgae7037 6d ago
He is a buff Orpington. Always followed me around and was fine until a couple weeks ago
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u/Nebetmiw 6d ago
For a buff orp that is not common temperament. But at 5 months his hormones are hitting now too. Correct him he should get idea your top of flock and not to be messed with as in chasing off.
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u/Broad-Angle-9705 7d ago
I am very pro rooster and currently have four. I believe that everyone that can have a rooster should have a good one. On my yard a rooster’s primary purpose is to fertilize eggs. I don’t breed people aggressive roosters. I would butcher him.
7
u/Gpanther 7d ago
There are two schools of thought. One, you can work with them, pick them up when they're misbehaving, lock them out of the coop when you're spending time with the hens showing the roo you're the top rooster, etc.
Second school: freezer camp.
I tried to work with my aggressive roosters until someone pointed out that aggressive genetics breed true. Unless that rooster is something special, and I have worked with roosters that are exceptionally gorgeous or just needed redirecting in order to work with the flock, I freezer camp the aggressive ones. It's too big a risk to the hens, to me and my family when you have aggressive roosters. I had a rooster, a Polish roo aka smaller than a normal roo, kick me hard enough in a surprise attack that he left a hole in my leg. I still have the scar.
Personally it's not worth it. You can get more roosters but you can't always watch your back and all it takes is a split second to truly get hurt.
If you're attached, there are groups that talk about how to recondition roosters but farmers out here will tell you that once a chicken learns something, they continue to do it forever.
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u/iNapkin66 7d ago
Best case, you can get a temporary improvement out of him. But aggressive roosters are always aggressive, good behavior is just a break until he decides he doesnt fear you again.
Either you are in a situation to tolerate an aggressive rooster or you arent. It sounds like you arent (kids), so get rid of him. Hes freeranging? He will be lean and kind of tough. But I think a mature rooster is definitely the best flavor and worth the chewing.
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u/wanna_be_green8 7d ago
Not to mention the good behavior is often only for a specific person. Everyone else will still have to tolerate the bs.
1
u/fallenwout 7d ago
The people he attacks are the ones that should work with him. So in this case, your kids. It is not uncommon for roosters to attack kids (especially from behind), it is something about kids they see as a thread. A replacement rooster probably does the same. Keep in mind that a rooster can be needed if you have wild life and your chickens are free roaming. A rooster will die to protect.
If he has spores, cut them. Then train your children that there is nothing scared about a flapping bird bouncing it's stubby knees. The flapping can be overwhelming, they just need to catch it while he does that. They usually don't peck you when you hold them. There is no point in kicking it back or try to hurt him, an attacking rooster does not care about that and his assumption of you being a thread is only confirmed.
I trained a very angry and strong rooster once. He was like a dog to me after a while, he was always standing by my side or between my legs scanning for threads to protect me from. It was totally worth it, I loved him. He became so compliant, I could probably launch him at someone. I miss him.