Got Flogged by A rooster tonight

[OvertheHenHouse]

Great end to a great story. And I'm having a serious case of coop envy...

 

[ginbart]

I just have to show this to you. Our silkie roo, Milton, decided to attack my dog. The poor dog didn't know what way to go.

I carry a stick when I'm around him. My DS who is 11 can go right over to him and pick him up. Not me and I never did anything to him.

So I guess size doesn't matter in all cases.

 

[terrilhb]

WOW

 

[yinzerchick]

Great pic Ginbart!

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Hubby got flogged once by a RIR and myself once by the same old bugger. He came to be freezer camp meat quickly!

 

[off-grid hen]

This is a great thread! After reading a lot here, I have been wondering how to go about raising a flock with a rooster since this is my first time raising chickens. This makes more behavioral sense to me, and we always have acted like we are boss. We have a partridge rock roo named General Tso. He hasn't tried to come after me yet. (I am 5'0" tall- so I think I fit the profile!) Last week or so he's been doing this very metallic-sounding chirping noise. I've never heard that before. He also started looking me in the eye instead of turning away. So far when I walk around, he runs in the other direction, but I think he's getting braver and sizing me up. I just have this feeling. Just when I thought he was getting cocky enough, I was scatterng a little scratch- and he was glaring me down... I walked quickly over to him cooing loudly, "Come here, rooster and gimme a BIG KISS!" He has never liked to be touched, so he tripped over himself trying to get away. LOL. Now I follow him with the "HEY THERE Cock o' the walk. What's the MATTER? Why you so NERVOUS??" and he runs. We'll see how long this keeps up and if he tries to challenge me or not. When we're all out in the yard and the general is glaring at my husband, he will do the wing dance once in a while just to see him run a way. He flaps slowly toward him and says (in a clint eastwood quiet but serious voice) , "Listen mister. I grew up on a farm with mean geese. Just you remember your place". I need to get this on video.

We don't taunt or terrorize him. But if looks like his feathers are rustled because I walk near his ladies or touch them, I try and chase him down for a smooch. "Come to mama!" *kissy noises*

 

[ginbart]

Quote:
Thanks

 

[AngelaClassAct]

I have a newbie question....I've read that another way to show the rooster who's boss, is to discourage him from taking a ride on the ladies while you're in the pen. Is this true? My DH says not to discourage this activity while I'm in the pen (he's guy, so of course he'd say that), but...if I am the head rooster, in nature, wouldn't I be all over him if he were trying to ride one of my ladies?

 

[Reyvaughn]

Quote:
I don't know if you should or shouldn't, but I personally feel it's their way of showing who's the top roo in the pen. I strongly discourage it when they are right near me. If they are a good 30 feet away, I don't care. I had a pullet egg squat beside me and I gave her the normal pat and one of the boys rushed over while she was still squatting and I promptly stood up to him and chased him off. Just 3 days ago I was tending to my sick Speckled Sussex and my husband let her go instead of restraining her. As soon as she hit the ground right at my feet, one of my blue Orp cockerels grabbed her by the neck and I swiftly gave him a foot up his butt, too. I will not have that behavior - especially when the blue Orps (I have 3 of them) are all starting to test their boundaries with me. I am imagining a crock pot for them already - just in case...

 

[galanie]

Quote:
Yes, you would. I've heard some say to keep them from doing this, and others say they don't care. Guess it depends on how hard it is to keep the upper hand on the roo.