But Why Though? (The Tale of a Rooster)

[Heorth the Half-pint Home]

Folks? This handsome devil is Bozo.

Bozo is a 15 week old bantam. He's all of maybe a pound. He's also a breed historically known to be gentle, sweet, great-for-kids, little darlings. I've raised this little fellow from 2 days old and wasn't planning on keeping him. Oh no. I wasn't planning on keeping any roosters, let alone a silly little nit in clown shoes. But as he aged he got cuter and more endearing. He'd hop up on the outdoor couch with me during treat time and just chill. I was greeted every morning by his tiny little crow, which always sounds a question moreso than a statement, and his attempt at his "look at me! I'm a sexy rooster!" dance. I was charmed, I was attached, I was going to cry if I had to process him and may give up eating chicken entirely if I had to make a meal of my little buddy.

No sooner had we (my housemates and I) made the decision that Bozo could stay? He became a Grade A butthead. This tiny murder pigeon is why I have bruises all over my legs, why my female housemate has cuts all over her shins, and why we need to warn anyone who comes on the property to avoid the rooster. No, not the Jersey Giant, Nikola is sweet as sugar and wouldn't harm a fly unless it went for his ladies. No. We have have to warn guests about this majestic little ankle biter.

Normally I'm a "biters go in the pot" kinda girl. But I also have a soft spot for monsters, which means I'm still attached to this fluffy little ball of hate and can't quite bring myself to even be angry at him for kickboxing my ankles. I mean, he's a horny teenager. Let they among us who had our hormones under control in puberty cast the first judgement.

However.

My little dude's spurs are going to start coming in soon and I need to sort out how to make him choose something *other* than violence every morning.

 

[HappyClucker7]

When my rooster started to challenge me, I grabbed him, held him to the ground, and pushed his head down until his beak touched the dirt. I held him like that for about 10-15 seconds.
I only had to do this a couple times before he got the message. Now that he's a little older, and his teenage hormones have calmed down, and he's completely harmless again.

 

[Heorth the Half-pint Home]

When my rooster started to challenge me, I grabbed him, held him to the ground, and pushed his head down until his beak touched the dirt. I held him like that for about 10-15 seconds.
I only had to do this a couple times before he got the message. Now that he's a little older, and his teenage hormones have calmed down, and he's completely harmless again.

He's starting getting daily punitive cuddles. He attacks me, he gets carried around like a football while I finish my chores.

The look of utter betrayal and high speed dashing off when I set him down is worth it every time.

 

[pennyJo1960]

You do have to hold him down really. Learned that at the age of 4 never forgot. Never had a rooster challenge me again either.

 

[BecaHawaii]

Roos are like dogs. Show them who the boss is.