Humans have more ability to reason, and in terms of empathy, have a greater capacity to learn.
The rooster is akin to an adult with severe disabilities that render them emotionally on a level with a toddler, in terms of the thought behind it. The intent is different to an intelligent, functioning adult that deliberately sets out to harm others.
We have a pony that had a tendency to kick, and not as a threat that accidentally makes contact. We haven't cured it, just the slow process of respect and learning to like/ trust us means he doesn't do it to us. He very much intends it, and tbh I wouldn't trust anyone that wasn't extremely experienced to handle him in any situation it was a possibility, there's only a very subtle brief warning.
It's not a natural herd instinct and he's just trying to dominate people, because that would be threatening, and only following through with deliberate contact if they don't back down. And it would occur in every situation he wanted his own way. So someone, somewhere, has done something that taught him kicking humans made them stop whatever they were trying to do. Whether that was deliberate cruelty or harm through an inexperienced owner, I don't know. The situations and his other behaviour certainly don't imply a psychological malfunction.
However, I'd bet my life that prior to lashing out, he isn't stood around thinking 'aha, a well placed hoof will cause really painful injuries and if I get lucky brain damage'. He's an animal, he doesn't understand the consequences beyond 'stop that'. Entirely different to if dp went round using his fists in any situation he wasn't happy with.
former obviously I'd save the baby if I had to choose, but as I have two hands I'd grab both. Doesn't mean I'd save it because it was cuter, or that unlike the puppy I'd want to keep it once it was safe.