Help! Rescue Rooster flying away!

[Ducksnchicken12]

One of my friends accidentally ended up with a bantam rooster she couldn’t keep, so she rehomed him here. Not realizing he could full on fly (and forgive me if we did this wrong, we are newbies!) we showed him his roosting spot out in the yard. He was doing well for about 45 mins until my dog sniffed his bottom and spooked him. He flew straight into the woods up in a tree between ours and our neighbors property. Luckily they have chickens too and he went to hang with their hens. We got him back and I penned him up.
So I guess my question is, what do I do now? I don’t feel like I should be clipping roo wings because it’s part of their defense, but everyone around here free ranges all day and I feel back having him cooped up. Advice?

 

[ldawntaylor]

Welcome.

I am not an expert but my approach would be to keep him confined for a frw days so that he learns where home is.

That way, if he does fly, he has a better chance of coming home if he can.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I don’t feel like I should be clipping roo wings because it’s part of their defense, but everyone around here free ranges all day and I feel back having him cooped up. Advice?

Keep him cooped up long enough to know this is his new home and to get used to seeing the dogs around. It isn't cruel when you are doing it to train him in order to possibly save his life.

 

[Ducksnchicken12]

Keep him cooped up long enough to know this is his new home and to get used to seeing the dogs around. It isn't cruel when you are doing it to train him in order to possibly save his life.

Thank you! You're right, I'm keeping him safe. That definitely makes me feel better about having him cooped.

 

[Nate Akeley]

My advice would be to keep him in the coop for 2-4 weeks that way he knows thats home base and then you can let him out.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

yes, pen him up till he knows where his home is!

 

[Ducksnchicken12]

My advice would be to keep him in the coop for 2-4 weeks that way he knows thats home base and then you can let him out.

I'm glad you said that because I was thinking only about a week.

 

[BlackHackle]

Y'all got here before me...all the above is correct. When getting new free range chickens the best thing to get them to know is where home is

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

I would give him a hen so he will calm down a bit........ he was probably going to the neighbor's side to get it on with their hens.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

I would give him a hen so he will calm down a bit........ he was probably going to the neighbor's side to get it on with their hens.

you do not have any hens? or he does not have access to them?