I've heard (and are currently using the method on our 3 unexpected roos) that you simply act like him. In the pecking order, whoever backs down is the loser. Staying the course can be tough when it's a huge rooster and he doesn't seem to be giving in either (had battles with resident roos at boarding barns). If you see him mount a chicken, run at him and make him get off...that's YOUR hen. If you see hens squabbling, you jump in and break it up instead of him doing it. You're basically the bigger rooster. Someone posted a link recently about a woman who was a Rooster Whisperer. She would hold a rooster under the arm and press/hold down his head. She'd take away her hand and if he lifted up his head, she'd press it down again. She would do this until the rooster left his head down, even after she took her head away. I guess that's the sign of subordination. It seemed like such a peaceful way of establishing dominance.
If you watch chickens work on their pecking order, someone always gives in and gets one little tap on the head for good measure. I would use a similar tactic with him. Our larger roo has started picking at our fingers. Whenever he does he gets hauled up and mooshed on. We only put him down once we're ready. He's always quiet and respectful after that. I'll give him my hand and he doesn't peck at it, just gives me a half-stink eye.
If you watch chickens work on their pecking order, someone always gives in and gets one little tap on the head for good measure. I would use a similar tactic with him. Our larger roo has started picking at our fingers. Whenever he does he gets hauled up and mooshed on. We only put him down once we're ready. He's always quiet and respectful after that. I'll give him my hand and he doesn't peck at it, just gives me a half-stink eye.
