Did I ASK FOR IT? Roo took a bite

[krzybo]

Pretty new at this. I went to put up my hens and 1 roo tonight and they were already on their roost. I petted all of them and the roo turned his head and took a bite of my hand. Not bad enough to hurt. I shook him a little and when he calmed down I petted him again and he bit again. Was I asking for "it" by bothering him while he was roosting or it that a sign of a "don't bother me" rooster? If so, how do I handle that? I don't want a mean roo. Thanks for your input.

 

[teach1rusl]

I don't have a rooster (yet). But I would take that as a sign of his dominance...lack of submission to you (the real boss). I'll have to keep my eyes on replies to see what the experienced rooster wranglers say...

 

[gritsar]

How dark was it in the coop? They really start to lose their vision in low light. After dusk, I have a few chickens, my roo included, that will bite first and ask questions later if I'm reaching towards them.
During the day they are very docile, so I know it's just a reaction to not being able to see what's coming at them.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
Ditto that. My roo knows I'm the boss by daylight, but I had to move him off my porch to their new coop for about a week. At first he pecked me a lot when I picked him up. I chalked it up to him being scared of being grabbed in the dark --- because he's normally not a biter towards me. I just wore a heavy fleece sweatshirt so that I really couldn't feel his pecks, plus it reinforced that I wasn't bothered by his antics.
After about 3 days of me carrying him I guess he got used to it and quit biting/pecking my arms.
He's much calmer towards me in the dark after he got used to it. I always talk to him so he can know my voice even if he can't see, but I get the impression that my chickens don't pay much attention to my voice.

 

[krzybo]

Quote:
The coop was dark and I was using a flash light, so that may have been the problem. I know I would want to bite someone coming at me with a flash light while I was trying to sleep.

 

[LeghornLisa]

My roo did the same thing to me a few months ago. Took me by surprise because he was so docile and he wasn't even roosting at the time he just didn't want me touching him. I, like you, touched him again. Long story short, I was bloody and he found a new home, thank God it was me and not my kids bleeding. I do love roos but this just wasn't the right home for him. Good luck and be careful!