What to do with an Aggressive Rooster
by Alexa Lehr | The Pioneer Chicks | July 11, 2023
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Any rooster can be protective and assertive, so knowing how to deal with an aggressive rooster is important for raising a safe and friendly homestead flock. Having a friendly but protective rooster in your flock can be beneficial for the homestead flock. However, some boys just have a mean-streak that can’t be deterred. This can either be genetic, if the breed was bred for cock fighting, or it could just be a part of that rooster’s personality. Occasionally a rooster may become aggressive if it has had a bad experience with people in the past. Either way, knowing what to do when a rooster attacks and how to deal with an aggressive rooster can help keep the peace around the homestead!
Why do Roosters Attack?
Roosters attack for two main reasons: they want to defend their flock or they are challenging for flock status. Roosters will fight each other for the status of ‘head rooster’ within the flock. The winning rooster has more privileges with all the hens. A rooster generally only attacks a person or another animal if they see that person or animal as a threat to their flock. However, in some cases, a rooster will challenge you to see where you are at in the flock pecking order.
A rooster attack can range from a simple warning or challenge attack to a full-fledge defense or battle attack. Chickens are prey animals, and while their preferred method of defense is flight, many good roosters will readily use defense tools in a fight or attack.
During a full-fledge fight or attack, a rooster will use his wings to ‘flog’ or beat the attacker or challenger. He will also jump up and kick out to use his spurs to rake the opponent. He will use his beak to peck, grab, and injure his opponent as well. If he is able to defeat his opponent, he will often chase and aggressively peck the opponent.
A rooster generally won’t attack without giving some warning. By watching your rooster, you can learn when he is thinking about potentially attacking or challenging you or another opponent. Here are some body language signs to watch for that indicate a rooster may be about to attack:
Signs of a Rooster Attack
- foot stamping– much like a stallion paws the earth, a rooster will stamp prior to charging
- raised hackle feathers– a rooster will raise his neck feathers to make himself look bigger
- lowered head– raised hackle feathers are often accompanied by a lowered head
- bringing ‘presents’– a rooster will do this to bring his opponent closer or to entice subordinate hens for mating
- mock charges– sometimes a rooster will rush at you but withdraw just before attacking
- intensive staring– constant eye contact shows that he has all his attention on his opponent
When you see these signs, you will want to react with your own body language to deter the attack or be prepared to deal with the rooster when he does charge.
7 Ways to Deal with an Aggressive Rooster
Roosters will generally start showing signs of aggression at a young age. Usually aggressive behaviors are brought on when a young cockerel’s hormones start kicking in as he matures. For most breeds, major hormonal shifts in behaviors occurs around 16 weeks of age. Some fast maturing chicken breeds may experience this shift sooner. Slow-maturing breeds will experience it much later, even closer to 30-35 weeks of age.
All roosters will experience this influx of hormones. These hormones are essential for flock reproduction and flock protection. However, some roosters are prone to be more assertive and aggressive towards you, other people, and other animals. If you are trying to avoid having an aggressive rooster, choose chicken breeds that are known to be calm, docile, and friendly.
- Friendly Chicken Breeds: Silkie, Orpington, Cochin, Welsummer, Orloff
- Aggressive Rooster Breeds: Bruges Fighter, Malay, Asil, Sumatra, Old English Game, Modern Game
The best way to encourage friendly, docile chickens (even roosters) is to handle your chickens frequently starting at a young age. Gentle handling on a daily basis and hand-feeding the young chicks tasty snacks can help imprint the youngsters on you. They will also see you as flock provider and ‘head rooster’.
However, every rooster has his own personality and even roosters from friendly chicken breeds can be aggressive. If you do end up with a rooster who has more of an assertive nature, there are several ways you can help the rooster feel more confident about his role in the flock and what role you play in the flock as well.
#1. Proper Number of Hens
Sometimes a rooster will get aggressive if he doesn’t have enough hens. This can apply to both single rooster flocks and flocks that have multiple roosters. Ideally, have about 10 hens per 1 rooster. Light breed roosters will benefit from having more hens, as many as 12-14 per rooster. Heavy breed roosters will be content with fewer hens, as few as 5-6 hens may be sufficient for big boys.
#2. No Threat
Whenever you are around any rooster, you want to make sure the rooster feels comfortable around you and does not see you as a threat to his flock. If he doesn’t see you as a threat, then he will be less likely to see any visitors as a threat too. This applies to other homestead animals as well, such as dogs or cats. If the rooster sees that they aren’t threatening his flock, he will be less inclined to attack out of protection.
Be calm around roosters. They can sense when you are fearful or nervous. Avoid chasing any of the hens or doing any behavior’s that could be mistaken as a predator stalking the flock.
#3. Plenty of Space
Giving an assertive rooster plenty of space is important for helping both him and you avoid conflict. The chicken coop and chicken coop enclosure should be spacious. Assertive roosters also benefit greatly in a free-range lifestyle, where their natural instincts for flock protection can be put to good use. In some cases, a rooster may only attack when you are in his coop or enclosure, but otherwise he might ignore you when he’s out free-ranging with his flock.
When working around an assertive rooster, always give him plenty of space so that he can easily avoid you and you can avoid him if possible. Respect his space and don’t make any sudden movements that could be mistaken for an attack either on him or any of his hens.
#4. Mental Stimulation
Sometimes distractions and mental stimulation can avert an assertive rooster from being aggressive. Boredom busters, free-ranging, stimulating chicken toys, or changing up the elements in the chicken coop enclosure can provide mental and physical stimulation.
#5. Other Roosters
As odd as it sounds, some assertive roosters do better in a multiple rooster flock. The hens will have their pecking order and the roosters will have their own pecking order too. The head rooster will help keep all the subordinate roosters in line. In a confined setting, it works best if all the roosters have been raised together from the start.
In a free-range setting, roosters in a large flock may break off into separate harems. Each rooster will have his own little band of hens to watch over. In this case, the roosters will be too busy keeping an eye on each other and their hens so they won’t pay as much attention to you.
#6. Handling & Hand-Feeding
Handling an assertive rooster frequently can help teach him that you are ‘head rooster’ of the flock. As long as you are gentle when handling him, he may learn that he has nothing to fear from you and that you are also a protector of the flock. It works best to start handling roosters starting at a young age.
Catching a rooster after he attacks will re-assert your dominance. Sometimes frequently handling assertive roosters can teach them that you are the ‘head rooster’ and may discourage future attacks.
Hand-feeding your flock (and rooster) healthy snacks is a great way to establish your role as flock protector and provider. Favorite snacks like dried grubs or fresh berries may be all that’s need to win over an leery rooster! As with handling, start hand-feeding at an early age and continue the activity even as the birds mature and grow.
#7. Rehoming Roosters
Lastly, for the safety of you and others on your homestead, you may consider rehoming or getting rid of an aggressive rooster. If you butcher birds on your homestead or send them away to be processed, including an aggressive rooster in the next batch may be the easiest way to get rid of a rooster who poses a threat to your safety on the homestead.
If you don’t want to consider butcher culling as an option, then you will need to try and rehome the rooster. Aggressive roosters may calm down with a change of flock and environment. Finding a new home that has a free-range flock and several other roosters may be ideal for your naughty boy. Make sure you are always transparent about the assertiveness or aggressiveness of your rooster when you are rehoming him.
How to Catch an Aggressive Rooster
It can be difficult to catch an aggressive rooster without further instilling in the rooster’s mind that you are threat that needs to be fought. Frequently chasing the rooster or roughly handling him may make him even more aggressive towards people. As frustrating as it can be, being nice to an aggressive rooster can play a huge role in helping him learn your status in the flock.
The best way to catch an aggressive rooster is by getting him at night after he has roosted in the coop. Chickens can’t see very well in the dark, and once they are roosted, they tend to be more calm and relaxed. You may also be able to slowly corral an aggressive rooster during the daytime if you move slowly and have confidence.
Before attempting to catch an aggressive rooster, you will want to make sure your hands, arms, and legs are protected. You want this experience to be safe for both you and the rooster! Gloves, a long sleeve jacket, long pants, and tall chore boots are good rooster-catching apparel.
When catching the rooster, firmly grab him on either side of his body, securing his wings so that he can’t flap. If possible, firmly press him against your body so that you can pin his wings with your body and one hand and use your other hand to grasp his legs. If he is going to try pecking at you while being secured in this way, hold him at arm’s length from you.
You can then transfer him to a cage or pen if you are rehoming him, transporting him, or keeping him separate from the flock.
What to do if a Rooster Attacks You
Even though many roosters are smaller than we are, a rooster can still seem very intimidating when he is charging at you! Not to mention the damage he can do with his strong wings, sharp beak, and long spurs. It can be even more intimidating and dangerous if the rooster is attacking a smaller person or animal. Learning how to rightly react when a rooster attacks can help keep you safe and even prevent future attacks.
The main thing to keep in mind when a rooster attacks you is to stay calm and stand your ground. This may go against all your initial instincts, but it teaches the rooster that you won’t back down from him and that you are not a threat. If you over-react, the rooster may become fearful of you and see you as even more of a threat to his flock. Basically, you will want to use your body language to assert your dominance over the rooster.
Deterring an Attack…
Watching an assertive rooster at all times can sometimes defer an attack. He may not challenge you if he knows you’re aware of his presence. However, if you do see signs of an attack, stand your ground and don’t back away. If you feel comfortable enough, step towards the rooster and gently move him away by pressuring him slowly with your approach.
Once the rooster turns his back you can back off on the pressure but don’t turn your back on him. Always keep your eye on him until he moves off completely or you are out of his yard. However, avoid staring him straight in the eyes as eye contact can be seen as a challenge that will encourage an attack.
During an Attack…
If the rooster does decide to attack, stand your grand and try to defer him away from you. You can use deterrents as a way to avoid injury, but also make sure you always dress appropriately when around an aggressive rooster. Long pants and tall boots can help protect you from injury. A safe deterrent you can use is a strong spray bottle full of water. A spray of two from the bottle may be enough to discourage a continued attack.
If possible try to catch the rooster during or after the attack. Gently grab his neck and around his body to pin down his wings and prevent him from trying to peck at you. Sometimes catching an aggressive rooster will teach him that your the boss of the flock and not to challenge your for dominance.
Furture Attacks…
In some cases, teaching the assertive rooster that you are above him in the ‘pecking order’ and that you are no threat to his hens will minimize any future attacks. However, just because he doesn’t attack you anymore doesn’t mean he won’t attack someone else. Anybody who enters the chicken yard should be pre-warned about how to behave around an assertive rooster and carry the same deterrent that you use.
Consistency amongst anyone who enters the chicken yard will prevent confusing the rooster and hopefully teach him that anyone who enters the chicken yard will react the same way you do, so there’s no need to challenge or attack.
Having a rooster on the homestead is a great way to raise your flock like a modern pioneer! Roosters add stability to the flock social structure, provide protection for free-range flocks, and can allow you to incubate eggs and hatch chicks right from your own flock. However, some roosters are more assertive than others. Keeping a friendly but protective rooster on the homestead is ideal, but when a rooster becomes assertive or aggressive, it may be time to consider alternatives for him to keep everyone on your homestead safe. Teaching the rooster that you’re boss and not a threat may be all that’s needed, but sometimes rehoming or crockpot time may be necessary for mean roosters.
Here’s hoping you get a friendly, handsome stud for your homestead flock! And don’t forget to join our modern pioneer newsletter community so you don’t miss any other tips for managing a homestead flock!
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