Manfighting Roosters

Manfighters can be a real challenge. If you get a rooster that turns mean on you, and wants to attack you every time he sees you, you have a couple of options. You can try to fix the problem, you can live with it, or you can cull the bird, and have a nice chicken dinner! If you decide to fix the problem, I have listed below some methods to try to straighten him out.

The first thing you need to do, is make sure that you don't kick the bird away from you, or act aggressive towards him in any way. A good breeder never takes aggressive action against a manfighting rooster, as this will only hurt the situation.

For mild cases, you can sometimes just take a bucket into the pen with you, sit down, and spend time with your birds. You can take treats with you, and work on getting them to eat out of your hand. Then eventually, handling the birds too. When feeding time comes, sit down on your bucket, and spread a little food on the ground next to your feet, and get the birds to come right up next to you to feed. Once they get used to this, start trying to get them to feed out of your hand buy putting small amounts of feed in your cupped hand, and holding it out for them. You can use the treats for this too, like holding an apple for them to peck on. If your rooster comes up to you acting aggressive, talk soothing to him, and gently push him back if he looks like he is going to hit you. As the birds become more used to you, start touching them as you feed them too. The more they are comfortable with your touch, the friendlier they will become. If you get to the point you can pick up the rooster without chasing him, do so, and pet him on his chest, and talk soothing to him. Some people like to wear the thin cotton gloves so they are softer on the bird, and can help them feel more comfortable being held. If this works, all you have to do is keep doing it to keep your fowl friendly.


In extreme cases, you will need to separate the rooster from all other birds, and keep him from seeing them also. Someplace inside where you can keep it dark will help. Place him in this dark room, and leave him there for a couple days or so, without feed, and water, so he is very hungry and thirsty when you see him next time. After this, feed him a small amount of food, and water him. Work with some of the same methods above to get him to eat out of your hand, so you can touch him. You might be surprised how happy he will be to see you after being alone in the dark, and hungry! After a couple of weeks of this, and he responds well, move him to a pen in the light again, and while his is up and alert, put a hen in the pen with him and leave her there. This is like praising him, and he knows you are his friend, and gave him a girlfriend. If you can get this to work, just keep handling him, and working with him, and he might come around. If none if this works, cull him. Good luck!

I have never seen a true man fighter that could be cured. Most people have never seen a true man fighter. A true man fighter is mentally deficent and has decided that humans are his enemy and nothing you do will change that. There are some mean birds that have been made that way by inexperienced handlers that will get you, some of them may be saved but it all depends on how far they have gone. A true man fighter is one that attacks with out provocation and the more you try to gentle him the worse he gets.

I don't feel they are mentally deficient. I think there are many factors that cause this. I sure don't think it is a desirable trait, and try to breed away from it, but I have seen roosters that will attack anything that gets near them, other than their hens, and yes, I agree, severe manfighters won't be cured from what I have seen.

I base my theory on a family of Bruner Roundheads I had at one time. All of the roosters were born man fighters. Even raised with non game gentle hen. When they reached a certain age they would start attacking you, usually within a month or so of penning them. The hens were also crazy, they would peck the head off of anything that hatched under them. There was absolutely nothing I could do to tame them and it was ashamed because they were the most beautiful birds I have ever seen, bar none. I put several years into them all to no avail. One day an old timer said son, there is nothing you can do to change them birds you are wasting your time and money because those chickens are real man fighters.

My OEG was a true manfighter... and I think he really was mentally deficient... he killed his own hen. Then he killed himself by biting the hand that fed him one too many times. Never had a problem with my Lacy RHs though.

The only thing I say is that it isn't necessarily a mental deficiency. Some cases are, that's a fact, but some I think are just looking for a fight, no matter where it comes from, like a bully. But, just my opinion. I definitely don't want them on my yard though, and try to avoid them if possible for sure.

Try this and see what kind of outcome you have..i've done it in the past with non game birds such as my phoenix,rhode island reds and laugh if must..it's ok..but American Game Bantams! Grab the rooster by the breast with your hand..i mean snatch him up as fast as you can and lay him flat on his back..dont let him up. Hold him there with your palm flat against his breast for a few minutes or as long as it takes him to submit..then walk away. I've had alot of success with this actually, just never tried it with the gamefowl.