- Jun 12, 2016
- 33
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Hi, I am not sure if the last comment was for me, but I will certainly try my best to explain as best as I can.
I have 2 main breeding roosters in my flock. They each have their own hens and each their own personality.
Both I can pick up freely. One is actually the main dominant over the other, but from time to time they do try to pinch each other's hens. This can cause trouble ..
What I do is pick one up. Scoop if they dont want to be. Neither has ever pecked me.
Timing is variable. For example, one rooster took a dislike to a man who was helping me prepare something at an outside table. THe rooster left his hens and was giving all the signs of going to charge him. I scooped him up and walked him calmly away from sight around a corner, talking gently to him and stroking him at the same time. About 2 minutes .
One young rooster unusually timid, I would pick up from his roost at night when I was doing my rounds, and stroke him and talk to him, offer him food.... every night until he trusted that I wasn't going to be anything other than a nice experience .... and he would then, like all the others join in for hand feeding etc .Better than his usual timid self. Duration depended how tired I was !! But if I religiously do this with a timid bird, night is best for me . Might not suit everyone , but it works for me.
I once had a large Rhode Island Red not long ago who was very naughty and would quietly but swiftly appear from nowhere from behind and try to peck me. He Definitely fancied his chances at becoming top rooster as he was very big. I would have to be quick, but could scoop him up and the fact that I was merely able to appears to be a show of dominance to them. I would walk around a bit , maybe three to four minutes or longer if he was scrobbling to get away, until he calmed down.... then I would slowly lower him keeping his body secure so he couldn't flap out erratically, and gently place him down. Didn't matter where. This does appear to make the roosters aware that aggressive behaviour is unacceptable. Or maybe they cannot figure out how it is you are able to immobilise them ? It might not make him your best friend, but earns his respect.
Incidentally, regarding the main birds....as far as I have observed, it makes no difference at all to their standing in the flock as top birds.
I mentioned earlier that they have amazing memories. In my experience anyone teasing a rooster is marked . Even if there is a period apart. They always remember . So when my birds are being rehomed, I explain this to the new owners. Don't tease and don't let them become the boss. I won't give roosters like the one I mentioned to any family with children. They are too large and I would hate any to hurt a child !!.
This is the basic way I deal with my roosters.
It is a long winded description, but I hope it helps.
Incidentally all of my birds are bred on the property, not purchased to come in as outsiders . So I do know most pretty well.
Any new birds are bought in as eggs and put under a broody or incubated.
I have 2 main breeding roosters in my flock. They each have their own hens and each their own personality.
Both I can pick up freely. One is actually the main dominant over the other, but from time to time they do try to pinch each other's hens. This can cause trouble ..
What I do is pick one up. Scoop if they dont want to be. Neither has ever pecked me.
Timing is variable. For example, one rooster took a dislike to a man who was helping me prepare something at an outside table. THe rooster left his hens and was giving all the signs of going to charge him. I scooped him up and walked him calmly away from sight around a corner, talking gently to him and stroking him at the same time. About 2 minutes .
One young rooster unusually timid, I would pick up from his roost at night when I was doing my rounds, and stroke him and talk to him, offer him food.... every night until he trusted that I wasn't going to be anything other than a nice experience .... and he would then, like all the others join in for hand feeding etc .Better than his usual timid self. Duration depended how tired I was !! But if I religiously do this with a timid bird, night is best for me . Might not suit everyone , but it works for me.
I once had a large Rhode Island Red not long ago who was very naughty and would quietly but swiftly appear from nowhere from behind and try to peck me. He Definitely fancied his chances at becoming top rooster as he was very big. I would have to be quick, but could scoop him up and the fact that I was merely able to appears to be a show of dominance to them. I would walk around a bit , maybe three to four minutes or longer if he was scrobbling to get away, until he calmed down.... then I would slowly lower him keeping his body secure so he couldn't flap out erratically, and gently place him down. Didn't matter where. This does appear to make the roosters aware that aggressive behaviour is unacceptable. Or maybe they cannot figure out how it is you are able to immobilise them ? It might not make him your best friend, but earns his respect.
Incidentally, regarding the main birds....as far as I have observed, it makes no difference at all to their standing in the flock as top birds.
I mentioned earlier that they have amazing memories. In my experience anyone teasing a rooster is marked . Even if there is a period apart. They always remember . So when my birds are being rehomed, I explain this to the new owners. Don't tease and don't let them become the boss. I won't give roosters like the one I mentioned to any family with children. They are too large and I would hate any to hurt a child !!.
This is the basic way I deal with my roosters.
It is a long winded description, but I hope it helps.
Incidentally all of my birds are bred on the property, not purchased to come in as outsiders . So I do know most pretty well.
Any new birds are bought in as eggs and put under a broody or incubated.