Did I handle this cockerel correctly?

[SeaSea47]

I have a 7-month-old Cochin cockerel who used to be very docile and people-friendly. He was very low on the pecking order, even with the hens, and then he got kind of dominant all a sudden. And then, about two weeks ago, he chest bumped my dad's walking stick. Full disclosure: Up until this point, I didn't know my dad was trying to pet him and befriend him, and I made him stop babying him. I made him stand his ground and chase him a bit. He hasn't bothered him since, but he's been keeping an eye on me. He doesn't go after me, but he does keep an eye on me, and he does crow a bit more when I'm around.

To be honest - and I'm embarrassed to admit this - I've been terrified of him ever since then. It's literally kept me up tonight. I take a shovel or broom when I go to let them out to free-range and I throw some sunflower seeds or mealworms so they'll go after them and then I take off in the other direction. My dad's been putting them up for me because of my work schedule.

Today, I didn't take any treats, but I did take my shovel, and I decided that instead of running in the other direction, I would walk right through him. I think I caught him off-guard because he shuffled his feet a little bit at the shovel but he never really tried to attack me. Even when I put the shovel in between us (I was using it like a walking stick), he acted like he was going to chest bump it but then looked really confused like why are you coming after me? And then I - with the shovel - chased him all over the yard for about 5 to 10 minutes. He finally went into some brush I coudln't get into and started crowing, so I went around on the other side of it and started chasing him again for another 5 or 10 minutes. I finally stopped because we were both getting exhausted. I sat outside with them for about half an hour after and he didn't come near me. He'd look at me occasionally, but he didn't hover like he normally does. He didn't do much mating either. I don't know if he was mad, tired, or put in his place or what, but I'm wondering if I did the right thing or if I have possibly just made him worse? I guess time will tell. I will say I feel a little less scared him, so there's that.

 

[gimmie birdies]

All roosters are different. So raise them in a way you enjoy. Do know when roosters get hormones they will act different. But roosters that never came up to you or abused you in the past will still avoid you. If you picked them up in the past, they will still come up to you. I pick them up when they come near. They will come to the conclusion they want to be picked up or avoid me. I never offer a boot or a leg or a broom to attack. I never act scared or turn my back on them. I don't have problems. In the past 20 years of raising them, I have not put any down for being an attacker, usually just because they crow too much, or are over aggressive with a hen.

 

[CoopintheWoods]

What you're doing is probably fine but is overkill in my opinion. I know that plenty of people will say you need to nip this sort of thing in the bud like you're doing (and maybe they're right), but in my experience plenty of roosters never get past the little bumping and shuffling stage.

If you're against that sort of thing all together, than I'm not the one to listen to, but I've had several roosters who never escalate anything further.

Maybe 4? years ago I had a batch of 5 roosters from a 6 chick straight run, all raised together. Once they were old enough to start fighting, I separated them and would let one or two free range at a time if they could keep the peace. Of the 5 roos, 4 would do the little aggressive shuffle and bump thing, but only 1 was ever actually aggressive more than that. I eventually sold 4 of them and kept one (not the aggressive one) because I couldn't catch him when I was selling the other ones.

That rooster was frankly feral, and did not want any contact with me even when I was feeding him. He would sometimes shuffle up to me like you were describing, but if you just came toward him he stopped. The most I ever had to do was pretend to kick him. I had him for maybe 2 more years and he never stopped the chest bumping but never did anything more.

I was later given another (again, feral) rooster who did the same thing. Both were fine flock watchdogs and were plenty smart. Neither were ever more aggressive that I would deem "acceptable". Maybe I've just been extremely lucky with roosters, but I wouldn't worry about it escalating much and just stand your ground when he does come towards you, but no need to be aggressive with him.

Edit: Forgot to mention: I do agree that you shouldn't coddle roosters, but that doesn't mean you need to be neglectful with them. I like having semi-feral roosters because they take care of themselves, but you should still raise your roosters with the same human contact as the other chickens.

 

[SeaSea47]

Thanks, y'all. The more I think about it, the more I think that the main thing I achieved today was that I feel more confident around him. What I did may have had more to do with my needs than his. I've lost that sense of dread that I've had for a couple of weeks and I feel like even if he does attack, I'm ready for it. He's really not a bad guy - he was very low on the pecking order until I rehomed two other roosters I had. He was a little rough with the girls at first, but the older he gets, the better he gets with them too. He and my other cockerel who are the same age are even getting along now aside from the occasional crow-off. I would never mistreat him or neglect him. I was actually worried that I hurt his feelings because he acted so surprised. I may be too much of a softy for a rooster. But I would like to keep him around and not dread dealing with the chickens, so hopefully, this is some progress towards that. I also get caught up in reading every opinion from every person who has ever had a rooster, but I am learning that @gimmie birdies is right. You kind of have to take all of that and digest it but still do what works best for you and your birds.

 

[3KillerBs]

The more I think about it, the more I think that the main thing I achieved today was that I feel more confident around him

I have to agree with that.

My experience with roosters is still rather limited but I'm rather good at dominance in re: animals in other respects.

Take this for what it's worth in re: my limited rooster experience, but instead of chasing try slow-walking.

The other day one of my 15-week cockerels pecked my boots when I was doing morning open-up. He may not have meant anything -- the hens sometimes do that -- or he may have just been excited about me opening the door. But after my first reaction, to pin him for a moment, I decided to make a point of walking through him and the other cockerels.

So I pretended to do a number of unnecessary chores in the run -- moving clutter from one place to another, etc. -- that *just happened to* require me walking through the places the boys were standing.

I moved slowly but inexorably. Making them move, but not chasing them after they moved.

One piece of advice from someone here that I've tried to take to heart is that I shouldn't be in the pecking order at all. I should be the giant who brings food and more like a horse or a cow in their minds than like another chicken.

 

[SeaSea47]

I love this about not being in the pecking order!

I do like to handle my hens and hang out with them, but I was at the point where I just wanted nothing to do with any of them, so I feel like I had a little breakthrough today. I don't plan to keep chasing him. If he becomes a major issue, he's out of here. I'll try walking through him more now. My other cockerel sees me as the food lady. If he's staring, it's just begging me to give him some treats. I'm not scared of him at all, but he seems to only be concerned with food and hens.

The bad thing is, I have some issues with drakes fighting now, and I'm not at all scared of them — or any of my other animals. Just that Cochin. And I'm hoping since it's a fairly docile breed that he'll turn out ok.

 

[ElizaMay]

I think you did well - as was mentioned, this was for YOUR confidence, because YOU are the one who has to handle them, and now know that you can do that if the need comes up.
All animsls also sense confidence by our body language, and if you are at all hesitant with tight muscles and the smaller profile that comes with it, animals that are fearful will become more fearful, thinking that there is a reason to be afraid - and animals seeking or testing their own confidence and dominance will take the opportunity to use you for a confidence boost.
Now, when you walk in your own yard, you will move more loosely and they will read that. You may still be challenged by a butt-head teen boy hopped up on horomones, but you can push back if need be.

PS he was challenging/trying to assert dominance and raise his standing with the other birds by the extra crowing in your presence; I would have walked around after him too till he piped down if he was a rooster who had come after me, then made my exit one he settled.

 

[SeaSea47]

I think you did well - as was mentioned, this was for YOUR confidence, because YOU are the one who has to handle them, and now know that you can do that if the need comes up.
All animsls also sense confidence by our body language, and if you are at all hesitant with tight muscles and the smaller profile that comes with it, animals that are fearful will become more fearful, thinking that there is a reason to be afraid - and animals seeking or testing their own confidence and dominance will take the opportunity to use you for a confidence boost.
Now, when you walk in your own yard, you will move more loosely and they will read that. You may still be challenged by a butt-head teen boy hopped up on horomones, but you can push back if need be.

PS he was challenging/trying to assert dominance and raise his standing with the other birds by the extra crowing in your presence; I would have walked around after him too till he piped down if he was a rooster who had come after me, then made my exit one he settled.

Than you. Speaking of the crowing, I have a tendency to listen to music while I'm out with them, and I noticed he crows more when I do. Do you think he thinks I'm crowing via my radio? I turned it on after I chased him, and he turned around and looked at me for a minute but I looked right back at him and he went about his business.

 

[ElizaMay]

My first thought is to say no, not likely, but who knows chicken braind for sure.
Maybe try putting it on when you are in the house, and see if the crowing is upped?