Ahh... navigating Chicken life with Roosters. WARNING culling alert.

[NatJ]

I never turn my back on him and wear thick jeans, long sleeves and boots. If I don't see any change in him, he'll just have to go.

I was curious, because some people talk about roosters hurting them and others don't seem to find it a big deal. I can see how thick jeans and boots could be a lot different than shorts and flip flops while you are trying this

 

[Folly's place]

I wear jeans and shoes or boots out there, always! Having horses and cattle too, flip flops just aren't in the picture for me. and poo between my toes, no way!
Motivated roosters will hurt you through jeans, and some can reach your face, even some bantam boys! It's just not worth it having one like that. been there too, and gave it up years ago.
Right now we have a rooster and six cockerels, yes, a couple too many, but all are polite and so are still here. Two or three fewer would be nice though.
Mary

 

[aart]

I was curious, because some people talk about roosters hurting them and others don't seem to find it a big deal. I can see how thick jeans and boots could be a lot different than shorts and flip flops while you are trying this

I had a cockerel nail the outer edge of my hand with his feet once, was picking up a pullet and he came up like gang busters from behind. The rest of that day was interesting.
Cut the skin a bit but I had a painful bone bruise for weeks.

 

[Folly's place]

It's about 'velocity squared', the effect of weight multiplied by the speed of the attacker. Not so nice! And risks to children, at eyeball level, and unwitting visitors.
Mary

 

[aart]

It's about 'velocity squared', the effect of weight multiplied by the speed of the attacker.

Yes! He was MOVING!!
I convinced him later in the day, during much acclimation time, that I could pick up a pullet and he was not to be too concerned. He ended up being a great cockbird.

 

[Cee]

Yes! He was MOVING!!
I convinced him later in the day, during much acclimation time, that I could pick up a pullet and he was not to be too concerned. He ended up being a great cockbird.

How did you convince him?

 

[aart]

How did you convince him?

I spent a lot of time in the run and coop that day.
Some just sitting, some doing projects or walking thru and back, some feeding treats.
At one point it was easy to grab another pullet, he reacted and started towards me, I told him NO, MY BIRD, which stopped him and shut her up.....I put her back down and we all saw that she was fine. It was an uneasy truce but he got the idea. Just spent more time out and about to acclimate him to me being around with no harm done. I rarely grab birds during the day, no reason to.

 

[Cee]

I spent a lot of time in the run and coop that day.
Some just sitting, some doing projects or walking thru and back, some feeding treats.
At one point it was easy to grab another pullet, he reacted and started towards me, I told him NO, MY BIRD, which stopped him and shut her up.....I put her back down and we all saw that she was fine. It was an uneasy truce but he got the idea. Just spent more time out and about to acclimate him to me being around with no harm done. I rarely grab birds during the day, no reason to.

Thank you. Appreciate the explanation.

 

[B-Goock]

I've caught aggressive roosters and just pet them like you do a dog. They don't like it. It doesn't hurt them but in a roosters brain its a dominance thing. They make a fuss and try to get away but I just do it till their head stays low.

On picking your keeper there really isn't a wrong way to do it. SOP. SOP & temperament. Or simply what you like. Heck thats how most breeds came about. Just picking and breeding qualities that someone liked or wanted. I have a blue copper maran rooster that is pretty but his temperament makes him Fernando the bull. He has taught other roosters to act his way. His purpose is in a layer group for the dark brown egg gene and his attitude.
My black pendesencas I am selecting more for SOP. Just a difference in goals.

 

[SulkyBantam]

Thank you for sharing your journey.
Culling roos may always be hard for you, and that's not a problem, just part of life- if you get attached to your chickens killing them won't be easy.

After a bit, I turned round and they were fighting. I let them (I'd read here it's better to sort things out amongst themselves?) until it got really bloody and neither were giving in.

With roosters, they should not be left to fight things out.
Hens give each other the odd peck but roos fight to the death.
Next time I'd definitely separate them at once!