Feeling Unsure

[andreanar]

I would love to help her get over her fear. The attack of the other rooster was only a few years ago, and it was vicious. I never knew a bird could be that crazy. It was her first experience with chickens and freaked her out pretty bad. She will keep him if I really want him. Shes also sad to see him go, as we only have 10 and they become like pets to us. We are very close, we just lost our other sister to cancer. I think I am going to wait a week or so until I take him to his new home. Give her more time to see if she wants to take the chance.

 

[aart]

The fear part for the human can be very hard to suppress, but essential IMO.
The birds can feel our fear and it makes them uneasy,
and that can lead to the fight part of 'flight or fight'.

 

[bobbi-j]

The fear part for the human can be very hard to suppress, but essential IMO.
The birds can feel our fear and it makes them uneasy,
and that can lead to the fight part of 'flight or fight'.

Agreed. If a person can't act confidently among any animal, really, the animals can sense it. My horses can tell if there is an inexperienced rider on board and take full advantage of it.
OP, if your sister can't walk through that flock like she owns the place - making that cockerel back up just by walking through him, not letting him eat until she says so, etc., I'm thinking he will sense that and do his best to dominate her.

 

[andreanar]

Agreed. If a person can't act confidently among any animal, really, the animals can sense it. My horses can tell if there is an inexperienced rider on board and take full advantage of it.
OP, if your sister can't walk through that flock like she owns the place - making that cockerel back up just by walking through him, not letting him eat until she says so, etc., I'm thinking he will sense that and do his best to dominate her.

He has shown absolutely no signs of "roo-tude"...yet. He doesn't stare, scratch at the ground...only crowed once, a weak and pitiful attempt lol. Hes huge, but so far he acts just like the girls, except for he has broken up a few pullet squabbles, and makes sure the girls eat, and waits for any stragglers to catch up when they are going from place to place. So far he only shows good behavior. Not that I don't doubt that could change. I tell my sister to act just the way she did 3 days ago, before she knew he was male.

 

[Karalyn]

I would love to help her get over her fear. The attack of the other rooster was only a few years ago, and it was vicious. I never knew a bird could be that crazy. It was her first experience with chickens and freaked her out pretty bad. She will keep him if I really want him. Shes also sad to see him go, as we only have 10 and they become like pets to us. We are very close, we just lost our other sister to cancer. I think I am going to wait a week or so until I take him to his new home. Give her more time to see if she wants to take the chance.

I'm not saying one way or the other what's right for you, I just find it curious as to how your sister seemed fine with this particular bird until it crowed. Why was she fine with it when she thought it was a hen, but all of a sudden (without a change of temperament) she's not?

 

[JaeG]

Ask on the Langshan thread how the roosters generally are temperament wise.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/langshan-thread.284419/page-329

 

[WVduckchick]

I can sympathize, as I was deathly afraid of one of my roosters. But I "had" to get over it, if I was to continue keeping/breeding chickens. Its a mental thing, more than a physical thing. So I'd leave it up to the other sister, as to whether she wants to put it behind her or not. She may be ready, but maybe not.

 

[aart]

Why was she fine with it when she thought it was a hen

Fear/phobia is a powerful thing.

 

[bobbi-j]

Fear/phobia is a powerful thing.

And impossible to understand unless one has dealt with it themselves or been close to someone who has. (Sometimes those with fear/phobia don't even understand it.)

 

[aart]

And impossible to understand unless one has dealt with it themselves or been close to someone who has. (Sometimes those with fear/phobia don't even understand it.)

Exactly!