Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[rural mouse]

Here is kinda like 11 minutes of Pastel attacking me on Saturday. I’ve not watched the video, but there is probably a slight edge of hysteria to my voice (I think that would be the proper word?) because of how scared I was. He’s done way worse than just peck me before. And I did kick him, not very hard though.

Ok. I watched to 6:45. Here's what I'm seeing.

1. You're afraid of him and doing a good job of masking it, but he knows it.

2. In his mind, you're another rooster coming into his territory.

3. The way you're petting the girls, you're trying to MATE with his girls, IN FRONT OF HIM.

4. The girls see you as a better rooster than Pastel.

5. The way he's going for your toes is the same way any chicken would tell another to back off or give ground. They peck toes and/or heads, whichever is more accessible.


Solutions (some of these MUST be implemented if you're going to keep ANY rooster).

1. Change the way you pet any of the birds. Running your hand down their back is a familiar gesture, especially if you have any experience with furry critters. HOWEVER in chickens, it's MATING. Instead, bring your hand in low and in front and rub their breasts/wattles. In rubbing their breast, you can also do a but of crop massage and get a pretty good idea of how well/poorly each is eating. You can also get an idea of if they're gaining /losing weight through their keel. An added benefit of petting this way (its more like scratching behind a dog's ears) is the hen stands up more which shows any rooster watching that you're NOT attempting to mount HIS ladies. If you do NOT make this change, 100% guarantee that you will eventually have problems with every rooster you have.

2. Toss Pastel the choice treats. HE will call the ladies to him, raising him in their eyes and helping reassure him that you aren't trying to steal his girls. Choice treats for this: walnuts (break them into chicken bite sized pieces), banana chunks (they split into 3rds lengthwise and break up nicely after that), blueberries, grapes (split big ones in half). Do NOT expect Pastel (or any roo) to eat out of your hand in front of his girls.

3. Spend time out there just sitting. Read a book, color or draw something. Don't be the center of their attention. They will swarm you, but when they realize you don't have goodies (or rather Pastel has them), they will go back to their regular activities. At first, sit just outside their run, as getting them to ignore you will take some time and he needs time to see you as a lesser threat. While Pastel is still considering you another rooster after his girls, make sure your back is to something solid. And read a hardback book. That way you have a shield if he does fly at you (which is a possibility with his current thought process).


4. When chickens tell each other to back off, they peck. They don't understand the word "no" at this point. You need to "peck" them (a sharpish finger into their shoulder will work, but needs to be FAST) when they (the girls) do things like hop up on the bucket. Getting the ladies to give you a but more space will also help Pastel recognize you're not trying to steal the girls.

Sorry for the dissertation, but from what I saw, he's actually a very good roo, who is acting as a proper rooster. He simply needs to be reprogrammed to not see you (and your mom) as roosters out to steal his ladies. The reprogramming may or may not work. I don't know if you'll be able to work past your fear of him. Changing the way you interact with the hens is imperative if you don't want to have the same thing happening with your cockerels when they reach the idiocy phase.

 

[janiedoe]

Each herd rotates on two or three of these 100 acres enclosed plots throughout the year, I think they have seven or eight parks in all on public land, so they could have a lot more donkeys. But you can't really think of it as grazing on pastures, most of it is rocky mountain ground and marl !

Monday mugs.
I'm done with sitting on air ! (Merle)
View attachment 3838070
I'm starting sitting on a wooden egg, breathing fire and wreaking havoc !
(Léa)
View attachment 3838067
I am da boss (Gaston).
View attachment 3838075
I fought the boss and I lost some of my wattle but not my ego (Théo)
View attachment 3838076
I'm feeling a wee bit better today. Thanks for the well wishes, Piou-piou.
View attachment 3838078

Please tell Merle that she is fabulous

 

[featherhead007]

I feel like an echinoderm today.
Maybe I have contracted
Strongylocentrotus

 

[rural mouse]

I don’t mind the girls pecking my fingers, but I’m tired of Pastel pecking me. The girls do it in a sweet way, and they want food. But Pastel does it because he hates me.

The girls do it as they would a rooster they like, asking him to give them good foods. He does it because you're a rooster stealing his girls. Giving him the food to give to them will go a LOOOOOONG way towards changing his behavior...and changing how you pet them will also.

 

[featherhead007]

Ok. I watched to 6:45. Here's what I'm seeing.

1. You're afraid of him and doing a good job of masking it, but he knows it.

2. In his mind, you're another rooster coming into his territory.

3. The way you're petting the girls, you're trying to MATE with his girls, IN FRONT OF HIM.

4. The girls see you as a better rooster than Pastel.

5. The way he's going for your toes is the same way any chicken would tell another to back off or give ground. They peck toes and/or heads, whichever is more accessible.


Solutions (some of these MUST be implemented if you're going to keep ANY rooster).

1. Change the way you pet any of the birds. Running your hand down their back is a familiar gesture, especially if you have any experience with furry critters. HOWEVER in chickens, it's MATING. Instead, bring your hand in low and in front and rub their breasts/wattles. In rubbing their breast, you can also do a but of crop massage and get a pretty good idea of how well/poorly each is eating. You can also get an idea of if they're gaining /losing weight through their keel. An added benefit of petting this way (its more like scratching behind a dog's ears) is the hen stands up more which shows any rooster watching that you're NOT attempting to mount HIS ladies. If you do NOT make this change, 100% guarantee that you will eventually have problems with every rooster you have.

2. Toss Pastel the choice treats. HE will call the ladies to him, raising him in their eyes and helping reassure him that you aren't trying to steal his girls. Choice treats for this: walnuts (break them into chicken bite sized pieces), banana chunks (they split into 3rds lengthwise and break up nicely after that), blueberries, grapes (split big ones in half). Do NOT expect Pastel (or any roo) to eat out of your hand in front of his girls.

3. Spend time out there just sitting. Read a book, color or draw something. Don't be the center of their attention. They will swarm you, but when they realize you don't have goodies (or rather Pastel has them), they will go back to their regular activities. At first, sit just outside their run, as getting them to ignore you will take some time and he needs time to see you as a lesser threat. While Pastel is still considering you another rooster after his girls, make sure your back is to something solid. And read a hardback book. That way you have a shield if he does fly at you (which is a possibility with his current thought process).


4. When chickens tell each other to back off, they peck. They don't understand the word "no" at this point. You need to "peck" them (a sharpish finger into their shoulder will work, but needs to be FAST) when they (the girls) do things like hop up on the bucket. Getting the ladies to give you a but more space will also help Pastel recognize you're not trying to steal the girls.

Sorry for the dissertation, but from what I saw, he's actually a very good roo, who is acting as a proper rooster. He simply needs to be reprogrammed to not see you (and your mom) as roosters out to steal his ladies. The reprogramming may or may not work. I don't know if you'll be able to work past your fear of him. Changing the way you interact with the hens is imperative if you don't want to have the same thing happening with your cockerels when they reach the idiocy phase.

 

[janiedoe]

Ok. I watched to 6:45. Here's what I'm seeing.

1. You're afraid of him and doing a good job of masking it, but he knows it.

2. In his mind, you're another rooster coming into his territory.

3. The way you're petting the girls, you're trying to MATE with his girls, IN FRONT OF HIM.

4. The girls see you as a better rooster than Pastel.

5. The way he's going for your toes is the same way any chicken would tell another to back off or give ground. They peck toes and/or heads, whichever is more accessible.


Solutions (some of these MUST be implemented if you're going to keep ANY rooster).

1. Change the way you pet any of the birds. Running your hand down their back is a familiar gesture, especially if you have any experience with furry critters. HOWEVER in chickens, it's MATING. Instead, bring your hand in low and in front and rub their breasts/wattles. In rubbing their breast, you can also do a but of crop massage and get a pretty good idea of how well/poorly each is eating. You can also get an idea of if they're gaining /losing weight through their keel. An added benefit of petting this way (its more like scratching behind a dog's ears) is the hen stands up more which shows any rooster watching that you're NOT attempting to mount HIS ladies. If you do NOT make this change, 100% guarantee that you will eventually have problems with every rooster you have.

2. Toss Pastel the choice treats. HE will call the ladies to him, raising him in their eyes and helping reassure him that you aren't trying to steal his girls. Choice treats for this: walnuts (break them into chicken bite sized pieces), banana chunks (they split into 3rds lengthwise and break up nicely after that), blueberries, grapes (split big ones in half). Do NOT expect Pastel (or any roo) to eat out of your hand in front of his girls.

3. Spend time out there just sitting. Read a book, color or draw something. Don't be the center of their attention. They will swarm you, but when they realize you don't have goodies (or rather Pastel has them), they will go back to their regular activities. At first, sit just outside their run, as getting them to ignore you will take some time and he needs time to see you as a lesser threat. While Pastel is still considering you another rooster after his girls, make sure your back is to something solid. And read a hardback book. That way you have a shield if he does fly at you (which is a possibility with his current thought process).


4. When chickens tell each other to back off, they peck. They don't understand the word "no" at this point. You need to "peck" them (a sharpish finger into their shoulder will work, but needs to be FAST) when they (the girls) do things like hop up on the bucket. Getting the ladies to give you a but more space will also help Pastel recognize you're not trying to steal the girls.

Sorry for the dissertation, but from what I saw, he's actually a very good roo, who is acting as a proper rooster. He simply needs to be reprogrammed to not see you (and your mom) as roosters out to steal his ladies. The reprogramming may or may not work. I don't know if you'll be able to work past your fear of him. Changing the way you interact with the hens is imperative if you don't want to have the same thing happening with your cockerels when they reach the idiocy phase.

Very good educational material.

 

[notabitail]

Ok. I watched to 6:45. Here's what I'm seeing.

1. You're afraid of him and doing a good job of masking it, but he knows it.

2. In his mind, you're another rooster coming into his territory.

3. The way you're petting the girls, you're trying to MATE with his girls, IN FRONT OF HIM.

4. The girls see you as a better rooster than Pastel.

5. The way he's going for your toes is the same way any chicken would tell another to back off or give ground. They peck toes and/or heads, whichever is more accessible.


Solutions (some of these MUST be implemented if you're going to keep ANY rooster).

1. Change the way you pet any of the birds. Running your hand down their back is a familiar gesture, especially if you have any experience with furry critters. HOWEVER in chickens, it's MATING. Instead, bring your hand in low and in front and rub their breasts/wattles. In rubbing their breast, you can also do a but of crop massage and get a pretty good idea of how well/poorly each is eating. You can also get an idea of if they're gaining /losing weight through their keel. An added benefit of petting this way (its more like scratching behind a dog's ears) is the hen stands up more which shows any rooster watching that you're NOT attempting to mount HIS ladies. If you do NOT make this change, 100% guarantee that you will eventually have problems with every rooster you have.

2. Toss Pastel the choice treats. HE will call the ladies to him, raising him in their eyes and helping reassure him that you aren't trying to steal his girls. Choice treats for this: walnuts (break them into chicken bite sized pieces), banana chunks (they split into 3rds lengthwise and break up nicely after that), blueberries, grapes (split big ones in half). Do NOT expect Pastel (or any roo) to eat out of your hand in front of his girls.

3. Spend time out there just sitting. Read a book, color or draw something. Don't be the center of their attention. They will swarm you, but when they realize you don't have goodies (or rather Pastel has them), they will go back to their regular activities. At first, sit just outside their run, as getting them to ignore you will take some time and he needs time to see you as a lesser threat. While Pastel is still considering you another rooster after his girls, make sure your back is to something solid. And read a hardback book. That way you have a shield if he does fly at you (which is a possibility with his current thought process).


4. When chickens tell each other to back off, they peck. They don't understand the word "no" at this point. You need to "peck" them (a sharpish finger into their shoulder will work, but needs to be FAST) when they (the girls) do things like hop up on the bucket. Getting the ladies to give you a but more space will also help Pastel recognize you're not trying to steal the girls.

Sorry for the dissertation, but from what I saw, he's actually a very good roo, who is acting as a proper rooster. He simply needs to be reprogrammed to not see you (and your mom) as roosters out to steal his ladies. The reprogramming may or may not work. I don't know if you'll be able to work past your fear of him. Changing the way you interact with the hens is imperative if you don't want to have the same thing happening with your cockerels when they reach the idiocy phase.

@Pastel the Rooster

Try this first. Give him a couple months, please.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Here is kinda like 11 minutes of Pastel attacking me on Saturday. I’ve not watched the video, but there is probably a slight edge of hysteria to my voice (I think that would be the proper word?) because of how scared I was. He’s done way worse than just peck me before. And I did kick him, not very hard though.

Pastel is a pretty boy I will give him that. In truth, he is simply doing his job protecting his ladies and the chicks as he would in the wild. I have to ask, did he amp up his aggression towards you when the chicks hatched? I do not think he is a lost cause, I see glimmers of hope with him. I also completely understand if you and your mom are done.

Frankly, if he has always went after your mom, including spurring her, he would not have lasted here with me. I understand boys go through a hormonal phase their first year and calm down by a year and a half to 2 years of age. I also have a hard and fast rule when it comes to boys. You attack me and attempt to spur me or anyone else, you are done. No 2nd chances. There are children of various ages around me, and most if not all come in my yard to play as a group with the kids. Spurs do damage to adults, small children, a eye could be taken out.

Some good advice for working with has already been given. I did watch the whole video. I am impressed with how well you held your ground in your coop. It is tight quarters with all the hens and chicks running around while trying to keep your guard up against a potential aggressive rooster. I am also impressed and pleased to see how easily you picked him up. Bonus points for him as he really did not struggle with it and allowed himself to be held for a bit before wanting down. The pecking of your boots and legs. This will take some courage on your part, do not back away. Walk through him and make him back up.

I also think he showed remarkable restraint with you and the hens. He allowed the hens to hop up on you and or the feed bucket. If he was a total lost cause that would have set him off. The growling I believe he did towards you at the end of the video. As long as he does not follow up with a attack, leave it be. He does not have to be a in your pocket friendly boy. I really do not think he will ever be at his age. The goal is to co-exist peacefully.

Now, if he were mine, and I was in your position would I keep him. Honestly, no I would not. Spurring your mom simply crosses that hard line of mine. Does that mean he deserves a death sentence, no it does not. I really think he would shine for someone who had a free range flock who needed a rooster. One with no children or close neighbors. He's shown he will defend his hens and chicks. That is what a good rooster does. Old school chicken farmers would appreciate a boy like him. They are not looking for a "pet", they are looking for a rooster to do his job.

 

[featherhead007]

Pastel is a pretty boy I will give him that. In truth, he is simply doing his job protecting his ladies and the chicks as he would in the wild. I have to ask, did he amp up his aggression towards you when the chicks hatched? I do not think he is a lost cause, I see glimmers of hope with him. I also completely understand if you and your mom are done.

Frankly, if he has always went after your mom, including spurring her, he would not have lasted here with me. I understand boys go through a hormonal phase their first year and calm down by a year and a half to 2 years of age. I also have a hard and fast rule when it comes to boys. You attack me and attempt to spur me or anyone else, you are done. No 2nd chances. There are children of various ages around me, and most if not all come in my yard to play as a group with the kids. Spurs do damage to adults, small children, a eye could be taken out.

Some good advice for working with has already been given. I did watch the whole video. I am impressed with how well you held your ground in your coop. It is tight quarters with all the hens and chicks running around while trying to keep your guard up against a potential aggressive rooster. I am also impressed and pleased to see how easily you picked him up. Bonus points for him as he really did not struggle with it and allowed himself to be held for a bit before wanting down. The pecking of your boots and legs. This will take some courage on your part, do not back away. Walk through him and make him back up.

I also think he showed remarkable restraint with you and the hens. He allowed the hens to hop up on you and or the feed bucket. If he was a total lost cause that would have set him off. The growling I believe he did towards you at the end of the video. As long as he does not follow up with a attack, leave it be. He does not have to be a in your pocket friendly boy. I really do not think he will ever be at his age. The goal is to co-exist peacefully.

Now, if he were mine, and I was in your position would I keep him. Honestly, no I would not. Spurring your mom simply crosses that hard line of mine. Does that mean he deserves a death sentence, no it does not. I really think he would shine for someone who had a free range flock who needed a rooster. One with no children or close neighbors. He's shown he will defend his hens and chicks. That is what a good rooster does. Old school chicken farmers would appreciate a boy like him. They are not looking for a "pet", they are looking for a rooster to do his job.

If I felt like going to Georgia I’d take Pastel in a heartbeat He’s a good rooster. Even Sir Jaffar had his adjustment moments (over a year) when I first got him.

 

[Pastel the Rooster]

Love Athens’ crazy do!
I think maybe your Dad has ankylosing spondylitis?

Yeah that’s it.