Crazy cream Legbar cockerel

[CalBickieMomma]

That’s awesome you were able to fend off the rooster! We had a rooster who liked to sneak attack when my back was turned, lol. He got the message when I stood my ground and learned to respect my space. His protective nature saved our flock from a fox. Sadly he passed year this year (heart disease) but he’s still one of our favorite roosters we’ve ever had.

Anyways, the notion of the “other roo” challenging my crazy Legbar actually makes a lot of sense. He was low in the pecking order in a flock with 6 other cockerels so that could explain why he’s acting so erratic. I’m relieved there’s hope! I’ll start working with him and hope he gains some confidence. Thank you for your insight!

Let us know how it goes! Hopefully he’ll calm down now that he’s away from the others .

 

[ChickenGal247]

I got a nasty peck on the forearm one time when i picked up one of my roos for the first time....

Ouch!

 

[ChickenGal247]

I attempted to get a better photo of him, but he proceeded to have a fit when I approached the kennel so this is the best I got. I had to quickly abort mission because he was so stressed out. Maybe he needs a bigger space so he can feel like he can get away? Kind of at a loss. I’ve raised a lot of roosters and he’s BY FAR the most frantic bird I’ve owned. Really hoping he’ll calm down in time.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

I attempted to get a better photo of him, but he proceeded to have a fit when I approached the kennel so this is the best I got. I had to quickly abort mission because he was so stressed out. Maybe he needs a bigger space so he can feel like he can get away? Kind of at a loss. I’ve raised a lot of roosters and he’s BY FAR the most frantic bird I’ve owned. Really hoping he’ll calm down in time.

Maybe try sitting a distance from the kennel where he can still see you but isn’t acting frantic. You may be able to get him more used to you.

 

[halefamily_flock]

I got 3 Legbar cockerels out of a straight run of chicks and one was really flighty, from the beginning. He was the prettiest one, and a hen favorite, so I kept trying to get him to chill out but nothing seemed to work. He wouldn't even come over to me for treats, like the other 2. What finally worked was picking him up off his roost, just after dark, when he was relaxed. There were a couple of times I needed to do this for practical reasons, e.g. move him to a different coop. But I noticed that the more I picked him up and put him back down, the less he was afraid. I could never catch him any other way than off the roost when he was half asleep, so I did it intentionally a few more times, grabbed him quickly, but gently, and then put him back down before adrenaline had a chance to kick in. Next thing I knew, he started coming up to me for treats and has been much better since then.

In general, I have noticed none of my cockerels like to be "petted" so I just make a point to pick them up, hold them steady through any squirming (so they know who is in charge), and then, once they're calm I put them back down. When I pick them up, I scoop them from underneath, with my non-dominant hand, and let their feet dangle on either side of my arm. I keep control over them with my dominant (right) hand on top of their wings, and hold the cockerel close against my body. Keeps them from being able to squirm or flap their way out of my hands and they seem to remain calmer this way.

 

[ChickenLoverz123]

Legbars are a flighty bird especially the males.

 

[ChickenLoverz123]

Try hand feeding him and feed him treats. If he doesn't want to eat out of your hand just watch him while he eats. Picking him up often will help as well.

 

[ChickenGal247]

I got 3 Legbar cockerels out of a straight run of chicks and one was really flighty, from the beginning. He was the prettiest one, and a hen favorite, so I kept trying to get him to chill out but nothing seemed to work. He wouldn't even come over to me for treats, like the other 2. What finally worked was picking him up off his roost, just after dark, when he was relaxed. There were a couple of times I needed to do this for practical reasons, e.g. move him to a different coop. But I noticed that the more I picked him up and put him back down, the less he was afraid. I could never catch him any other way than off the roost when he was half asleep, so I did it intentionally a few more times, grabbed him quickly, but gently, and then put him back down before adrenaline had a chance to kick in. Next thing I knew, he started coming up to me for treats and has been much better since then.

In general, I have noticed none of my cockerels like to be "petted" so I just make a point to pick them up, hold them steady through any squirming (so they know who is in charge), and then, once they're calm I put them back down. When I pick them up, I scoop them from underneath, with my non-dominant hand, and let their feet dangle on either side of my arm. I keep control over them with my dominant (right) hand on top of their wings, and hold the cockerel close against my body. Keeps them from being able to squirm or flap their way out of my hands and they seem to remain calmer this way.

Thank you for this! I’ve been working with him and he is getting better. He definitely doesn’t like to be approached or picked up (he still freaks) but he’s starting to calm down a lot once I have a hold him. He use to struggle the whole time and try to get away. I’ve integrated him with my hens and he seems very happy. They’re all getting along famously. Hopefully they’ll help show him I’m not a scary monster, lol. I hand raised them and they’ll come up to me for treats.

 

[halefamily_flock]

Thank you for this! I’ve been working with him and he is getting better. He definitely doesn’t like to be approached or picked up (he still freaks) but he’s starting to calm down a lot once I have a hold him. He use to struggle the whole time and try to get away. I’ve integrated him with my hens and he seems very happy. They’re all getting along famously. Hopefully they’ll help show him I’m not a scary monster, lol. I hand raised them and they’ll come up to me for treats.

That's great news!

 

[HuffleClaw]

Legbars are a flighty bird especially the males.

Not really. I have no issues with my Legbars being flighty, and I didn’t even get them as day old chicks.