Advice about rooster

[EggSighted4Life]

@Beekissed Great advice!

When I first started with cockerels, I showed them respect and stepped around them trying to let them know they could trust me. I was afraid I would make him mean. But someone told me I was mistaken, the same way you describe. And so I changed and started chasing a little. It's true, the girls now don't care. We use an oar (I stir my FF with) and the boys sure recognize it... get's the beginning of an egg song from them most times, when all I do is hold it in their vision!

 

[Folly's place]

Beekissed gives great advice, as usual. BUT some cockerels are too stupid/ hormonal to get the message, and some will try EVERY other human, and be happy to attack children. That's what crockpots are made for, and if his genetics tell him every human is fair game to challenge, that's where he belongs. Mary

 

[crzycknldy]

Think about the difference between the guys and you.  They likely walk around that rooster like he doesn't matter, walk right through him probably and don't give him a second's thought.  The rooster knows the difference between calm assertive nature and someone who is more timid,  more submissive.   Standing up to him as he attacks is not going to work, because you've let him take the initiative in the whole scenario...that leaves you on the defensive and makes you a lesser creature in his eyes.  He knows you are no threat to him and he is going to press his advantage. 

Stop and think a moment.  Why are you scared of him?  Afraid he will hurt you with his talons, obviously.  Mostly they don't even do much with those when they attack a human, mostly it's a lot of wing flapping and movement, but if you are wearing pants, he can't do much damage at all.  He's a 2 ft. tall animal, if he's lucky, and big.  Can't really do much in the way of hurt right  now as he hasn't even gotten his spurs. 

Now that we've established he is small, you are large, he only has toenails and a beak, you have the advantage of height, the ability to use tools and you have higher thought processes...meaning you have all the advantages on your side, you just don't stop to think about them when you are being attacked.  Why not think about them BEFORE you are attacked?  This works...it really works if you work it. 

Go on the offensive instead of defensive...use his own tactics against him.  Get yourself a long and limber cane/switch and prepare where you will teach him his first lesson in what it means to be a woman on this Earth.  We don't get back, we get even.   

Take away the feed and feed by meals for a few days so that all chickens have to come to the feeding area at feeding time.   Then take your cane and not let him in to the feed by tapping his head, his back, his tail....get him on the run away from you...in fact, use your body and the cane to get him running and keep him running.  Don't worry about the hens...at first they'll freak out but soon they realize they are not the target and will go back to eating.  

Then...let him to the feeder, let him relax for a few seconds.  Then take your cane and give him a swift smack to the fluffy butt, hard enough to startle him and make him jump, then keep tapping him on the back and head as he runs away. 

Take your time, enjoy the process.  Trust me...this will be fun!  This won't take much of your time, but it will be time well spent.  Drive him completely out of the coop or away from the flock and don't let him back in.....face him at all times and advance, never back up.  If he advances towards you, give him a thwack with your cane and keep walking towards him, make him RUN. 

The object of the lesson is to teach him you are the predator in this situation, you have the power to control his movements because he is most obviously the prey and smaller..and weaker.   The final goal is to have him looking over his shoulder at all times to see where you are and him moving away from you as you get near. 

The next day...do it again!  I'm betting you'll see quicker response times on his part, more alertness to when you walk into the coop or run...only he won't be moving towards you, but away. 

After that, keep your cane leaning near the coop and tune him up a little every now and again, just for funsies.   More important....don't be timid when you walk into that flock.  You won't make them mad at you or fear you too much if you walk with confident, wide strides, walking through them and not around them.  Walk towards him intentionally every day to make sure he retreats when you do so...that's the desired response.  He should walk a wide berth around any humans because we rule the roost, not him.  He's food. 

If you follow this and follow through on your own behavior, I'm betting you'll have yourself a good bird there.  He already recognizes authority, which is why he doesn't bother your menfolk...you just need to let him know you have your own authority and it's called woman. 

we have a bantam cochin roo that attacks all of us. I've tried everything I could think of from picking him up & cuddling him to kicking him across the run, no success. Will try your method on that '10 ft tall, bullet proof' short boy!!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

we have a bantam cochin roo that attacks all of us. I've tried everything I could think of from picking him up & cuddling him to kicking him across the run, no success. Will try your method on that '10 ft tall, bullet proof' short boy!!

Hi, welcome to BYC!

He must be part Chihuahua!

(To be 10 ft high and bullet proof)

Another thing I've had success with is a squirt water bottle set on stream. Though I might not try that during the cold of winter.

I have had good success with Beekissed described method as well. However, some boys just will not back down. Those are the one who don't last long around here. Even bantams are edible.

Cuddling will never work and is often a bad idea. Cockerels who are cuddled when young don't fear you. And to chickens, fear equals respect. If they fear/respect you, they will step out of your way and avoid you as much as possible. At least avoid your personal space.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I would cull him, yesterday.

 

[EquiSally]

Tha

Beekissed gives great advice, as usual.  BUT some cockerels are too stupid/ hormonal to get the message, and some will try EVERY other human, and be happy to attack children.  That's what crockpots are made for, and if his genetics tell him every human is fair game to challenge, that's where he belongs.  Mary

That's what crockpots are made for, best answer ever!

 

[Beekissed]

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[oldhenlikesdogs]

Unfortunately there has always been a double standard of where animals are divided into classes of eating, looking at, and petting. I personally don't see the difference and that's why I'm a vegetarian.

I don't have bad roosters no matter the breed nor bad dogs, though sometimes I would like to put both into the crock pot for acting foolish. Understanding an animals basic behaviors can go a long way in getting it right, but sometimes you learn them after the fact.

Both chickens and dogs work off of the same type of hierarchy with there always being a top dog. For both species you need to be in that top position. Simple things like controlling space can be all it takes, it never is achieved by physically taking it, it is earned by actions and postures.

 

[dekel18042]

It's kind of funny, this double standard I see about roosters. If someone says that a dog is bad or a dog breed is known for being dangerous and aggressive, people will get all hot under the collar and emphatically state that there are no bad dogs or bad breeds, just bad owners. But, the first time someone mentions an aggressive rooster, no one blames the owner, they immediately tell people to kill it and eat it. No trying to retrain it or figure out if it can be changed in any way.

I think, the next time I see people discussing their dogs killing chickens or talking about how certain dog breeds get a bad rap, I'll just advise them to put him in a crockpot where he belongs. Best solution....EVER.

Found this post interesting. The difference is dogs have been bred for thousands of years, the breeds specialized to do different jobs, hounds hunt, sporting dogs flush and retrieve, herding breeds protect and herd and some are just companions. Roosters, chickens, have been domesticated but emphasis hasn't been placed on their behavior but rather on meat production and egg laying. It does make a difference.
How many times on this list has it been said don't breed from an aggressive rooster, temperament can be heredity. I don't think that particular idea has been around that long, especially on farms.

 

[Beekissed]

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