How To Handle An Aggressive Rooster?

Don’t know what to do with an aggressive rooster? Roosters are born with their sense of duty towards the flock they belong in.

We have discussed the reasons why are some roosters aggressive such as genetics, hormones, and sense of authority.

We have received a lot of e-mail concerning this particular questions.

We would like to make it easier for every chicken keeper to handle their aggressive rooster properly.

First Make Sure That You Are Not Scared Of Him

Roosters bully everyone around them, and they are good at it. They can scare off dogs, cats, and even their own chicken keepers along with their families.

At the end of the day, it is a part of every rooster`s job to fend off any threat.

Whatever a rooster considers a threat the rooster is ready to fight to the death to protect his flock.

Roosters have their pecking order.

There is always a rooster in the flock that considers himself as the main (Alpha) rooster. This rooster will be aggressive to other roosters as well to his keeper.

There Are Two Main Methods When Handling An Aggressive Rooster

The Harder (And Safer) Method Of Handling An Aggressive Rooster

When you notice the first signs of aggression in your rooster you need to pick him up and hold him no matter how much he struggles.

Do not put the rooster down until he completely stops struggling and just stays calm. This means that the rooster is recognizing you as an image of authority.

If the rooster does not stop struggling hold him under your hand and move around with him while doing some chores around the coop such as feeding the flock or changing the water.

If this works, do not think that the problem with the aggressive rooster is gone. It may happen from time to time in the manner of the rooster biting you when you are picking up another chicken from the flock.

If this happens just hold the rooster by the beak for a minute or so and that will remind him of your authority.

After you have done this if the rooster still shows signs of aggression, repeat the process whenever the rooster does the aggressive thing you don`t like.

Repeat this for one to three weeks and if that does not stop the aggression you may want to check out the second method.

The Not So Recommended (And Less Safe) Method Of Handling An Aggressive Rooster

As the title says, we do not recommend this method.

It should be used only as a last resort – in some cases, it is better to give the rooster a new home than to do this. When the rooster gets aggressive hold him upside down by the legs and do not let him back up until he is completely calm.

This is dangerous especially if the rooster has something in his mouth.

That can lead to the rooster choking to death.

But it is effective if done properly you can expect your rooster joining you while you are collecting eggs.