Bird attack!

So, we've got these chickens. And for months I've had a close relationship with all of them. I have spent time inside the enclosure crouched down talking to them and petting them. I go into the enclosure every day, at least once and usually twice.

The chickens love me. I bring them food and water, and when they see me coming from many feet away they start to get excited and gather around the gate that leads into the enclosure.

So yesterday I got their water bottle out and cleaned it and refilled it, and when I went back in some of the hens were gathering around my feet. They like it when I talk to them and sort of sit with them for a while and pet them. I've done this countless times.

I went inside and crouched down to talk to one of them and when I reached out to pet her the big grey rooster flogged me.

I was shocked because he has never been aggressive toward any of us. I know he was doing his job, and he perceived something I was doing as a threat to the hen, (or his manhood or something) but I wasn't having it. I decided he needed to know I was the boss, so I got a stick and lightly tapped his wing and scolded him.

He's so beautiful, and I love him, but I hope he isn't going to become a mean rooster.

This is Luke back when he was Lula. Lilly named him
Lula because we thought he was a girl. He was so cute!

Still Lula, and so much smaller than the girls.

King Luke, clearly a rooster.