Behavior Modification in Chicks?

[RunnerChick]

I'm new to chickens. I have 15 chicks of various breeds, 10 of which I got sexed as females from My Pet Chicken and 5 of which I picked up from my local farm store...all suppOsed to be pullets.

They are all about 2.5 weeks old. I have one Barred Rock that is very bold compared to the rest, and will come right up and peck my hand whenever I reach into the brooder.

I searched the existing forums and don't really see a consensus on whether this is a) probably a rooster, and b) whether this aggression might mean it'll be a mean adult.

I have a dog training background with strong interest in behavior. I prefer to approach this scenario by exploring what I can do to prevent this from becoming a mean, aggressive rooster. Anyone have experience with "training" at this early age? What would you recommend? He doesn't seem to be intimidated by me at all, but will fly off so as not to get caught if I move to pick him up. When I do pick him up, he squawks a bit then will settle down quite nicely, better than most of the flightier chicks.

I realize that if the chick ends up becoming a mean rooster I can cull him, but I'm all for prevention if possible.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[crumptz]

I wouldn't be too quick to think it will be a mean bird just because it is aggressive as a chick. I had a "mean" chick that has turned out to be the sweetest one of the bunch at 9 weeks! I think it is just young and curious and bold. I suggest giving it small treats when you come to the brooder: yogurt on a spoon is a good one once they get over being scared of the spoon!

 

[leadwolf1]

I wouldn't worry about this chick at this age. They are just like kids and some are more curious than others. They only have their beak to explore with, thus the pecking. We always take this as the one that likes us the most They run up and settle right down when you pick them up....enjoy your little exploring baby. If you want to do anything, pick it up and pet it more. Plus, do as crumptz says, come with treats..mine love oatmeal and mealworms

 

[gamechickens]

Ahh roosters a subject i am great at lol. more handeling the better you dont actully want to think about it in dog terms because you dont want to be his alpha or he will try to spare you thinking your a threat to his girls. more of he has to see you as a giver of treats and a petting hand lots of handling and treats that its. meal worm and scrambled eggs are my boys favorits.

 

[leadwolf1]

Interesting. I raise and train akitas and treat my roosters just about the same. I am the top rooster, not them. I will chase them around, pecking at their hinnies with a stick...especially those crazy teenagers. I now have the respect that I want out of them. The started pecking me and leaving marks. They no longer do that. As for my top rooster, he has never challenged me and will protect me from my son's mean silkie! I do have a habit of spoiling them at the same time I lavish them with treats and attention but if they so dare to challenge, I will come out on top!

I just love how we all can manage our flocks differently with good results!

Ahh roosters a subject i am great at lol. more handeling the better you dont actully want to think about it in dog terms because you dont want to be his alpha or he will try to spare you thinking your a threat to his girls. more of he has to see you as a giver of treats and a petting hand lots of handling and treats that its. meal worm and scrambled eggs are my boys favorits.

 

[gamechickens]

dont hit you rooster i know this as a professional cock woman/ i have over 53 roosters this will make them mean. my grandmother is the oldest and most know know dog breeders in the US and i know dogs like the back of my hand(i own 67 dogs, profession trainer and vet tech) i do dominate my dog but with roosters it is a whole new game. you cant see it like you do a dog. piss a rooster off and he will remember. rooster may not be the smartest but they dont forget. HANDLELING is your #1 feind

 

[leadwolf1]

I would never hit them....I just poke them a little. I don't dream of hitting, kicking, punching, hurting of any kind...and trust me, they are my friends...I carry them around all the time...as does both my sons.

I really feel badly that I left that impression. These are bachelors that I have to keep under control. They are not allowed to show aggression towards humans. They were biting and leaving huge bruises...I had to do something. I pick them all up and cuddle them at least twice per day. After my 'behavior modification', they no longer bite. One of them bit my 8 year old right on the eyelid...it was time for a change or freezer camp. I prefered to try and change them to see me as head roo...and, it worked.

 

[RunnerChick]

Wow! I really appreciate all of your comments! These are great and very helpful. Just for clarification, though, I don't follow the old "dominance" school of thought in my dog training techniques. I focus on positive re-inforcement and earning rewards for privileges. I have two sort of alpha type dogs in my house and neither of them are ever aggressive whatsoever. I have to remind them of their manners but it works for us. That's what I meant about behavior modification.

However, I was foreseeing the scenario where as an adolescent, the bird would get dangerous, as one of you describe. In which case, I would consider the "top rooster" scenario that you describe. Pecking order is apparently very important to chickens, and it is important that they realize (now referencing dog stuff and not drawing onactual experience) that humans do not have to be in their pecking order.

Thanks again! Great discussion!

 

[gardendufus]

I can't speak to the rooster issue, as I have none. BUT, of the 4 breeds I have, Barred Rocks, Black Australorps, Welsummers and a gold laced Wyanandotte, the Barred Rocks were by far (and still are) tthe most inquisitive, the most willing to come up and check me out both by eye and by bill. They are the first to search my hands for food. They are the first to approach me when I enter the run or the coop. They were the most aggressive towards the other chicks, altho not enough to hurt them, but they are definitely the top hens of the coop.

Just sayin.