Can chickens be trained? Stupid rooster!

[KlaHaYa Gardens]

Quote:
The key is the "quick pace" walking fast, but not breaking into a run -- although I suppose you could. If the bird is busy trying to get away from you, he's not going to attack you. I suppose you could compare this to informing your dog that you are Alpha. In this case, it's informing all your birds that YOU are at the top of the pecking order.

I have had "attack roosters" come to attack me, but my quick forward pace, without hesitating or stopping, turns the tables very quickly. Then, I continue to "pursue" and "stalk" the bird for several minutes.

Anytime the bird even has that "look" in his eye, or if I doubt in the smallest way that he doesn't get my message, I'll stalk the bird just to make certain we are clear.


I sent home a beautiful (formerly) aggressive buff Polish roo, with a family with a young boy. I was concerned about the boy, so I gave them instructions that they should all stalk the bird immediately so there was never any issue -- and there hasn't been.


We just call it "stalking" here. We don't have any problems, but because we know this technique and know how well it works, we employ it early on so that everyone is clear.

 

[BrattishTaz]

I was able to get my rogue roo (a big BO) under control once I stopped being afraid of him and showed who the alpha is. I never needed to kick or abuse him in any way. Roosters respond to control, not violence. IMO

Your situation is different though. You have a 3 y/o who could easily be severely injured. I don't think I would have a roo around small children at all. Even my super sweet 3 lb rooster has the ability to injure someone. Roosters are hormone driven and can be unpredictable. My advice would be to rehome/eat/cull before your child gets hurt.

 

[KlaHaYa Gardens]

Quote:
I second this!!!!! We have bamboo that is cut many times on one end that is used to "deter" this kind of behavior!

My experiences are that any kicking or hitting of a bird with a stick or piece of bamboo have the opposite of the desired effect. That's why we stalk.

I have taken a bamboo stick to a roo or two. One in particular who was brought to me because he was aggressive. He flew at me -- I had my back turned -- I spun around and fell. I have a terrific injury, so falling was pretty bad for me given that I'm already injured. I whacked that bird with a bamboo stick, but this was before we knew to stalk the birds. He was our first success story. (Though I did send him off to be eaten later. I held a grudge.)


We learned the stalking technique from our peacock. Fabulous! Our peacock never fought any birds, he just relentlessly pursued any trouble makers,

Wonderful the things we can learn by watching.

 

[KlaHaYa Gardens]

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I do agree that putting a 3 yo in harms way is a place to draw the line. It really comes down to the judgment of the parents based on supervision of the child and how well they feel they have the rooster under control, or penned when the 3 yo is out or . . .

 

[kickenChickens]

I hold grudges too! I'll give that a shot if I have the chance.

 

[BrattishTaz]

Quote:
I do agree that putting a 3 yo in harms way is a place to draw the line. It really comes down to the judgment of the parents based on supervision of the child and how well they feel they have the rooster under control, or penned when the 3 yo is out or . . .

I "stalk" and give the tail feathers a tug if they stop walking. I scoop them up and walk around with them until I feel them "surrender", once they relax I put them down and watch as they pout and slink away. My BO ws horrible before I figured out what to do. He drew blood a few times. Now when he is cranky, he just unties my shoe.

 

[Chicken.Lytle]

Please visit my Handling Rooster Aggression page. You need to break the cycle by shocking the rooster (such as chicken jail or holding him in public) and then asserting dominance daily. This will not make the rooster docile, but it will keep you dominant and get him in the habit of respect.

 

[KlaHaYa Gardens]

Chicken.Lytle :

Please visit my Handling Rooster Aggression page. You need to break the cycle by shocking the rooster (such as chicken jail or holding him in public) and then asserting dominance daily. This will not make the rooster docile, but it will keep you dominant and get him in the habit of respect.

I just read your page. I'd be interested to know how my technique works for you. I think you may find you have quicker results without ever needing to touch the bird, or pen it.


I suppose I should do a video of this and post it somewhere . . .


It really does work, and the simplicity of it is remarkable.​

 

[Aj1911]

in a pinch and i do this with my guineas when they get cocky too is

take of a coat and shake it at them, freaks them out ALOT and sends them running

but other wise the stalking method sounds good

i'll have to try that with my blue splash wyandotte rooster that likes to attack me when i feed him

 

[Chicken.Lytle]

Quote:
I just read your page. I'd be interested to know how my technique works for you. I think you may find you have quicker results without ever needing to touch the bird, or pen it.


I suppose I should do a video of this and post it somewhere . . .


It really does work, and the simplicity of it is remarkable.

Excellent suggestion! I would love to see a video. All my mental images of peacocks involve more of a relaxed saunter than a quick stalk.