im pretty new at this but I have been observing my boys for months now. I learn stuff daily. My one boy Collaspsed in front of me a couple weeks ago. His comb was purple, he was flopping and struggling to breath. Grabbed him, put my finger in his mouth to clear the airway, rubbed his neck and his comb went red again. It seemed like he ate something to big--today I found a toad in there and I believe that was what it was.
A couple days later I was reloading feeders in the evening and he "flogged"me. No injuries and I backed him off quickly--he was peaking at me around the corner. At this time I noticed his feet had a pinkish look. There were a few things it could be and I ruled everything out except the hormonal surge. It made complete sense, he is 7 months and generally mates first thing in the morning and in the evening. He is a mellow boy, a thinker. I can now watch him and know what his next move is.
So today they all come out and the girls are not letting him catch them--they are way faster then him and smaller, so they get away often. All they wanted to do was eat. I see him staring at my leg and I could completely see that my leg looked mighty inviting to him, so just as he was advancing I advanced and he backed off, went the other way.
I'm now thinking that the first "flogging" a couple weeks ago was an attempted mating. I do understand that neither are acceptable but now that I know what he is doing, how do I make him understand my leg is not a hen?
I am not afraid of him and I will not hit him or hold him upside down. Its not aggression. I can do whatever I need to do with him around without issue. He also accepts anyone I allow near the chickens. We do have a pretty good trust thing going. When he Collaspsed he literally walked over by me like he was asking for help. Do I just carry my little pole around and keep backing him off? Will he learn that my leg is not a hen? It is complete frustration on his part--he needs to mate and can't catch the girls so he goes for something that isn't moving. The poor guy tries so hard, I almost feel bad for him.he is not vicious when he mates, but he does seem to have bad timing. The girls just want food.
A couple days later I was reloading feeders in the evening and he "flogged"me. No injuries and I backed him off quickly--he was peaking at me around the corner. At this time I noticed his feet had a pinkish look. There were a few things it could be and I ruled everything out except the hormonal surge. It made complete sense, he is 7 months and generally mates first thing in the morning and in the evening. He is a mellow boy, a thinker. I can now watch him and know what his next move is.
So today they all come out and the girls are not letting him catch them--they are way faster then him and smaller, so they get away often. All they wanted to do was eat. I see him staring at my leg and I could completely see that my leg looked mighty inviting to him, so just as he was advancing I advanced and he backed off, went the other way.
I'm now thinking that the first "flogging" a couple weeks ago was an attempted mating. I do understand that neither are acceptable but now that I know what he is doing, how do I make him understand my leg is not a hen?
I am not afraid of him and I will not hit him or hold him upside down. Its not aggression. I can do whatever I need to do with him around without issue. He also accepts anyone I allow near the chickens. We do have a pretty good trust thing going. When he Collaspsed he literally walked over by me like he was asking for help. Do I just carry my little pole around and keep backing him off? Will he learn that my leg is not a hen? It is complete frustration on his part--he needs to mate and can't catch the girls so he goes for something that isn't moving. The poor guy tries so hard, I almost feel bad for him.he is not vicious when he mates, but he does seem to have bad timing. The girls just want food.
