Be a nice Roo darn it!!

[rosemarysugar]

I have a Jersey Giant mix rooster who is about six months old. Clarence is usually a nice boy, pretty flighty. He was handled extensively as a baby. Clarence has started running at me and pecked my leg this morning. I will not tolerate a nasty roo but also firmly believe that as a pet, once I bring them home, this is their forever home. I won't do the carrying around upside down deal. So far I picked him up immediately and hugged him tightly so he knew it wasn't a snuggle session and I "pecked" him on the beak with my finger, firmly said "no", and would NOT let him down until he chilled out. An hour or so later he did it again and I immediately removed him and put him in a pen by himself in the garage. Any suggestions? Please do not be rude or demeaning, this is my first rooster.

 

[azygous]

Actually, you have the correct concept of rooster training. You need to take the firmness and immobilizing upon bad behavior, and temper it with discipline (finger pecking) and be consistent.

Roosters are quite smart and capable of learning very quickly. Pushing him to the ground and finger pecking him on the back of the head is language he will understand as that's how an older roo would discipline him. Use his name when you work with him. Every roo I've ever had responded easily to their names.

By the way, I'm glad you realize that holding a rooster upside down is both dangerous and ineffective. No one has ever seen an older rooster discipline a young cockerel in such a manner because it wouldn't work even if they could pull it off.

 

[Shadrach]

I have a Jersey Giant mix rooster who is about six months old. Clarence is usually a nice boy, pretty flighty. He was handled extensively as a baby. Clarence has started running at me and pecked my leg this morning. I will not tolerate a nasty roo but also firmly believe that as a pet, once I bring them home, this is their forever home. I won't do the carrying around upside down deal. So far I picked him up immediately and hugged him tightly so he knew it wasn't a snuggle session and I "pecked" him on the beak with my finger, firmly said "no", and would NOT let him down until he chilled out. An hour or so later he did it again and I immediately removed him and put him in a pen by himself in the garage. Any suggestions? Please do not be rude or demeaning, this is my first rooster.

He's interested in mating with you. If you handled him a lot when he was younger you are now mum and cockerels mate with their mums.
One of these is a long article but it might give you some ideas.
The other is just about pecking, which will help you to work out what sort of peck you're getting.
Good for you on the lifelong pet attitude.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pecking-not-all-pecks-are-equal.75036/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/understanding-your-rooster.75056/

 

[Sea Wolf]

You are the bigger, meaner rooster. Flap your arms and chase him. Chase him for a good bit each time. Sometimes, puff up as best you can and chase him anyway. If you have a loose jacket or shirt on, hold it out to make you look bigger. This is YOUR yard and YOU are BOSS. Tell him that at every opportunity.

Your neighbors will think you are batty as hell but it will work. If you are going to keep him, you need to have him a bit intimidated by you so he stops challenging you.

 

[rosemarysugar]

He's interested in mating with you. If you handled him a lot when he was younger you are now mum and cockerels mate with their mums.
One of these is a long article but it might give you some ideas.
The other is just about pecking, which will help you to work out what sort of peck you're getting.
Good for you on the lifelong pet attitude.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pecking-not-all-pecks-are-equal.75036/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/understanding-your-rooster.75056/

THANK YOU!!!

 

[rosemarysugar]

Actually, you have the correct concept of rooster training. You need to take the firmness and immobilizing upon bad behavior, and temper it with discipline (finger pecking) and be consistent.

Roosters are quite smart and capable of learning very quickly. Pushing him to the ground and finger pecking him on the back of the head is language he will understand as that's how an older roo would discipline him. Use his name when you work with him. Every roo I've ever had responded easily to their names.

By the way, I'm glad you realize that holding a rooster upside down is both dangerous and ineffective. No one has ever seen an older rooster discipline a young cockerel in such a manner because it wouldn't work even if they could pull it off.

Thanks!