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Hi, Deborah from Portland TN. I am a new chicken keeper and never actually intended on keeping a rooster. However, when one of the chicks I had raised started growing larger than the others and then began to cock-a-doodle, we realized we had ourselves a roo! Lucky for us, we do not live within the city limits so there are no restrictions. I definitely noticed that my sweet cockerel suddenly snapped and bit me! I took that as a sign to no longer pick him up, but then later he began to flog me. I'll be the first to admit that I was instantly intimidated and worried we may have to re-home him. I wasn't able to enjoy my hens for fear of the attack rooster. I had been hand feeding them treats but he became so aggressive that the pecks hurt too bad to continue. When I bring out the grubs he gets so excited there is no self control and he charges to be the first and most aggressive eater. He is also very impatient and will flog if he has to wait too long when he knows I have grubs in hand. He is a Buff Orpington, and rather large, so that adds to the fear factor. I have to get things under control before those spurs come in! I have been reading everything I can get my hands on to understand how to handle the situation. My husband did try the pinning method and that seems to have helped temporarily. However, I am the primary care taker and have never pinned him. I usually talk to the flock before letting them out to free range. I then allow them to see me toss out a few grubs and when I open the door, they usually all run for the grubs so quickly I am ignored. This means I can get my usual tidy up chores done without interference. I have also resorted to keeping a broom with me just as a barrier at all times. I have on occasion used it to gently push the roo away when he starts getting close and has "the look", and he doesn't seem to mind that. He seems to get the message and will back away pecking at the grass or wandering off. Now that it is cold, I can dress in bulky winter wear and feel a little more protected so I have been trying to just stand or kneel near the flock to allow him to roam by me un-challenged. So far, he has stopped flogging unless startled or excited. I have tried recognizing his cues and talking to him prior to his "outburst" and that has worked at least some. I feel so reassured now that I found this forum! We have plenty of work still to do, but I have a little hope now. I currently have the roo, another Buff Orpington hen, 2 Wyandotte hens and 2 Rhode Island Reds. Its winter, but I still get 3-4 eggs daily. I would love to add more, but we have to build a bigger coop first! Thank you.

Hellos, I'm John from Cookeville TN, so many questions and learning at time is daily. Just got my with of a rooster after 4+ years of ordering chicks to the point of 6 roosters out of 15 chicks. Can't find anyone to take the 4 extra roo's I have so trying to keep them all but have the 4 roo's separated since I don't have enough hens for them all. I keep expanding thier chicken run and want to add more places for them to keep safe and in the future a better area to introduce new chicko's to the flock.

Hi, Dave from Rhode Island... love your work and posted something about our rooster Max on the general comment area.

Hi! I am Sonya, we have a rescued Roo named Ace who is currently in a bachelor pad, we all live in Louisiana and found your site as referenced in Rooster Allies FB page. Looking for past info - trying to learn how to let Ace know he's safe now and that we love him.

Love your content!