What makes a mean rooster?

Farrier1987 · Post by **Farrier1987** » Tue May 24, 2016 11:06 am

Si I got a new rooster this spring. Raised by another PTO compadre. Brought him here, kept in a separate adjoining pen for a week or so. Turned him out with the flock. He fit in after a while. The odd chasing with the other rooster, but nothing serious. He still won't perch, sleeps on the floor at night. Is second fiddle to Two Thirds, the resident with seniority.

Then a week or so ago the wifely one says he ran at her. Next day, he came after me. I had the crocks on and gave him some flying lessons. Fair hard, and he ran away. couple days later, same thing, only he came back for more. Yesterday and today, he watches for me when I am walking and will come at me from the side or back. I have given him some toe music each time. You would think his ribs would be getting sore.

Only ever had one like this before, and at that time he was the only rooster. Raised somewhere else. He ended up in the stew pot because of it. Anything hatched here has never shown signs of this kind of behavior.

So my questions. What causes this? Anything you can do about it to break them of it? And anyone looking for a Copper Marans roo? Might be available soon.

ross · Post by **ross** » Tue May 24, 2016 11:38 am

I find once a dick always one .Never to be trusted . Some will have different outcomes depends on how far gone . Just protecting the flock we all need a job . Lol Borrowed this from other ..

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Tue May 24, 2016 11:56 am

ross wrote:QR_BBPOST I find once a dick always one .Never to be trusted . Some will have different outcomes depends on how far gone . Just protecting the flock we all need a job . Lol Borrowed this from other ..

haa haaaa haaaaaa!!!!!

Too true Ross. I don't believe you can fix them any other way.
Farrier my theory is it's genetic, and a mean hen breed mean chicks. There's a ton of recommendations how to try and cure a mean rooster on the Internet, I don't think any of them work.
I give all my cockerel chicks taps on the back when they are young, just so they understand early who's boss. I think that might help convince the middle of the road rooster it's not worth a go, but I don't think it works for long on the truly mean roosters, and they seem to get more and more sour with age. I'm not sure if they mellow with old age, they probably do, but I don't keep them around long enough to find out.

Post by **Killerbunny** » Tue May 24, 2016 12:44 pm

Also take a look at your behaviour and see if there is something that sparks him off. Lucky spurred me once BUT it was my fault. I blocked his exit and was between him and the ladies. He isn't mean but he does a job and he's not a pet. I had 2 mean roosters once, brothers. Cuddly sweet to me but awful to the girls. The hens were actually scared of them. For their cure see Ross post above.

Bayvistafarm · Post by **Bayvistafarm** » Tue May 24, 2016 1:32 pm

Robbie wrote:QR_BBPOST
ross wrote:QR_BBPOST I find once a dick always one .Never to be trusted . Some will have different outcomes depends on how far gone . Just protecting the flock we all need a job . Lol Borrowed this from other ..
haa haaaa haaaaaa!!!!! Too true Ross. I don't believe you can fix them any other way.
Farrier my theory is it's genetic, and a mean hen breed mean chicks. There's a ton of recommendations how to try and cure a mean rooster on the Internet, I don't think any of them work.
I give all my cockerel chicks taps on the back when they are young, just so they understand early who's boss. I think that might help convince the middle of the road rooster it's not worth a go, but I don't think it works for long on the truly mean roosters, and they seem to get more and more sour with age. I'm not sure if they mellow with old age, they probably do, but I don't keep them around long enough to find out.

But they DO mellow with age on them. See Ross's post above, lol.

ross · Post by **ross** » Tue May 24, 2016 1:45 pm

Yep mellow , yellow .

Maximus · Post by **Maximus** » Tue May 24, 2016 1:51 pm

Oh man, he wouldn't be breathing today if that was in my yard. Been there! They can be real as*holes and can cause some good damage. My one Roo came at me in my other truck and dented the friggin truck he hit the door so hard. That was after he came at me and the dog several times and was sleeping on top of the coop and wouldn't come down. He knew his last breath was around the corner. When I finally got ahold of him, he was roasted. Literally! It got worse each time.

Good luck, but they taste great with lots of fresh rosemary and garlic under the skin and slow roasted in chicken stock!!

kenya · Post by **kenya** » Tue May 24, 2016 3:29 pm

I think it's genetic but also behaviour, your kicking him the first time has just proven to him you can't be trusted. I don't blame you for giving him the boot, it hurts when they get you. You can change the behaviour, move him to a different location give him a treat every time you see him or when he attempts to peck you or spur, show him you are not the enemy. He will change gradually if it's a behaviour issue if genetics he won't and soup pot for him. I have changed some and they have been the best roosters, very protective of their girls and always run to get their treat but some its genetic and although I have modified it somewhat, I could never trust them.

ross · Post by **ross** » Tue May 24, 2016 3:37 pm

Haha Kenya , had a wife like that once yep gave her treats but the treats ran out haheeee . I degress . Sorry for hijack . Back to the home .....luck

kenya · Post by **kenya** » Tue May 24, 2016 4:25 pm

Ha! Ha! Ross!