My first Barred Rock rooster was sometimes a little ornery. But I could usually deal with it. The second Barred Rock rooster, which I still have, is a definite punk. I've renamed him Psycho. He's never absorbed the age-old wisdom of, "Don't bite the hand that feeds you." So I have to deal with him periodically.
It's a challenging situation. He's fairly fragile, but also pretty big. And I have him for exactly this reason--to defend the hens. He couldn't take on a bobcat or a fox, but I would expect him to charge a cat or hawk.
With both roosters, I have occasionally employed the tactic suggested in this YouTube video. Unlike SSLFamilyDad, I have not found it to be a permanent solution, but after I engage in a correctional session with either one, I have peace for a while. The first Barred Rock would behave himself for months, but Psycho is only good for about three weeks before he's apt to start acting out again.
Hopefully a solution is to work with the roosters when young. I have a cockerel with my new Delawares, and he's first to the door of the tractor every day. I'm spending some time stroking him a little and feeding him weeds. Hopefully, that will pay dividends in coming months.
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