Handling Chickens Around Protective Cockerel

[Folly's place]

I've had a couple of older hens who just didn't dig around outside to actually wear down their nails, and trimming them helps. You just have to see how they look, and trim any that are overlong.
Mary

 

[Fairview01]

Have a cockerel that would lower his head and neck, get real flat and low, bow his wings out and charge me when i was manipulating the hens. As long as he stopped far enough away I found his behavior to be fascinating.

One day he did it and ended up within the impact area of my size 13 gator boots. He went airborne and got about 6 foot closer to the coop while airborne. He still displays that behavior but keeps his distance from me after one encounter. He does it again and gets to close he will be the next one caught in the salmon net and then upside down in the kill cone. I don't care how much type he has. Wont put up with an aggressive rooster or one that doesnt learn to see me as the alpha when im in the run.

I also don't invite an attack by turning my back on him. No matter what I'm doing i always keep that sucker in front of me. Once learned, twice burned.

 

[FortCluck]

Have a cockerel that would lower his head and neck, get real flat and low, bow his wings out and charge me when i was manipulating the hens. As long as he stopped far enough away I found his behavior to be fascinating.

One day he did it and ended up within the impact area of my size 13 gator boots. He went airborne and got about 6 foot closer to the coop while airborne. He still displays that behavior but keeps his distance from me after one encounter. He does it again and gets to close he will be the next one caught in the salmon net and then upside down in the kill cone. I don't care how much type he has. Wont put up with an aggressive rooster or one that doesnt learn to see me as the alpha when im in the run.

I also don't invite an attack by turning my back on him. No matter what I'm doing i always keep that sucker in front of me. Once learned, twice burned.

My roosters know I'm the alpha. Mine do the feet thing and I say "you wanna fight?" and they usually stop. I'll spread my arms big at them and scratch my boots on the ground, they don't mess with me. They usually put their head down and walk away doing the walk of shame.

 

[Aunt Angus]

All good advice. Thank you!

I'll bring her in tonight. Her nails just seem to be overly long. She scratches around fine, but the nails on her outer toes are beginning to turn outward.

And I know I'm frowned upon for keeping them as pets, but I do. I make sure they are well cared for and healthy. Her nails will get trimmed.

 

[Aunt Angus]

And he isn't aggressive. He just gets upset and panics. He pecked my boots two consecutive mornings about a month ago. That's the only aggression I've witnessed thus far. I think he's going to be a good rooster once he's grown. Just don't want him to think I'm hurting his flock. I am hoping he'd calm down enough for me to be able to handle the girls if needed, or if there is a way I can get him to trust me a bit more.

He's an itty bitty bantam. His name is Picotee, and I've enjoyed learning from him.
View attachment 1960566

 

[FortCluck]

All good advice. Thank you!

I'll bring her in tonight. Her nails just seem to be overly long. She scratches around fine, but the nails on her outer toes are beginning to turn outward.

And I know I'm frowned upon for keeping them as pets, but I do. I make sure they are well cared for and healthy. Her nails will get trimmed.

I have a layer flock that I treat like gold so I understand. I have a lot of area for my chickens and different surfaces (rock, woods, grass) so I've never had to trim nails, but I would if I had to. My layer flock creates our food (eggs and meat chicks) so I make sure they're well taken care of.

 

[FortCluck]

And he isn't aggressive. He just gets upset and panics. He pecked my boots two consecutive mornings about a month ago. That's the only aggression I've witnessed thus far. I think he's going to be a good rooster once he's grown. Just don't want him to think I'm hurting his flock. I am hoping he'd calm down enough for me to be able to handle the girls if needed, or if there is a way I can get him to trust me a bit more.

He's an itty bitty bantam. His name is Picotee, and I've enjoyed learning from him.
View attachment 1960566

I have jersey giant roosters so seeing a bantam rooster made me laugh, I love bantam roosters! They're great. That's why I have to show mine who's boss because if I don't, they could seriously injure someone.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I have jersey giant roosters so seeing a bantam rooster made me laugh, I love bantam roosters! They're great. That's why I have to show mine who's boss because if I don't, they could seriously injure someone.

No kidding! I bet! JGs are gorgeous, though. Love those iridescent feathers.

Yeah, this little guy doesnt even weigh 2 lbs. He can fly, though.

 

[tn_artist]

All good advice. Thank you!

I'll bring her in tonight. Her nails just seem to be overly long. She scratches around fine, but the nails on her outer toes are beginning to turn outward.

And I know I'm frowned upon for keeping them as pets, but I do. I make sure they are well cared for and healthy. Her nails will get trimmed.

Nothing wrong with keeping her as a pet! Ours all are, wether they know it or not.
Muffin says, "I'm here woman. Where are the mealworms?"

 

[Aunt Angus]

Nothing wrong with keeping her as a pet! Ours all are, wether they know it or not.
Muffin says, "I'm here woman. Where's the mealworms?"
View attachment 1960599

Aah! So cute!!!

I've been getting a lot of guff about chickens for pets on BYC recently....