Help with rooster!!!

[hencackle]

ivan3, I'm glad you use that pressure point too. I don't flip a rooster on his back though. The good thing about massaging the pressure point is that you release some tension, take the edge off the aggression and start replacing those feelings with something pleasurable and positive. After awhile you've earned the rooster's trust because he realizes that you aren't going to harm him.

One of my roosters will follow me around if he wants me to pick him up and carry him around like a football. If I sit down in the backyard, he jumps up in my lap and lays his head on my shoulder while I rub his back.
Stephanie

 

[MarkR]

The thing about roosters is. . . no matter how docile you think they are, you never no when their inner rooster nature is going to come out. I learned when I was a kid to just never ever ever turn your back to them for more than a few seconds. Of course, we had this little psycho banty EGB (whom I took to calling Stalin) that took a dislike to me on the day he hatched.

The roo I have now is very gentle with me. I started from day one flapping at him, chasing him, and always making sure to pet him really well when I close up the coop at night, just to make sure he knows I'm in charge. Despite that, every once in a while he get's that crazy dominant look in his eye. When he does, I assume stork position (remember from Karate Kid?) and bop him one on the beak. Not hard, but enough to make him remember who I am.

Just remember, what ever you choose to do to assert your dominance, do it often and do it regularly. Good luck!

Mark

 

[seedcorn]

Quote:
I just pick them up, hold them in my hand while doing rest of my chores. Do this a few times, he quits but isn't skitty. Usually I'll talk them while holding them, make fun of him as he's not so tough..........

 

[skeeter9]

Hi Guys,
I'm very grateful for all of the advice. I really want to have a great relationship with my roo - like I used to. I like all of the strategies in your posts. They are definitely more in keeping with my normal methods of dealing with my animals. I just got disconbuberated with his aggressive behavior.

Anyway - thanks for sharing your experience.

Lori

 

[ivan3]

Hencackle wrote

I don't flip a rooster on his back though.

Sorry if I gave that impression. I flip him up under my arm and carry him around right-side-up. However, I get the impression that he sometimes challenges me just so he can be hauled about (head held high, acting like his profile belongs on folding money).

Of course, as has been mentioned - a roo is a roo and will spend serious time plotting `roo things'

So ya gotta let `em know who's Alpha Roo, or things might get a bit sketchy...​

 

[silkiechicken]

Quote:
Haha, that's so funny, I have yet to catch my roos in the act while I have been outside. I've only caught them when watching from the house from a second story window. Ironically these roos all put their heads down in corners when I go into their pens meaning yay! I'm alpha (fe)male!

 

[blue90292]

Quote:
OMG, DEB!!! i love you!!!

i thought, this is just insane, but when itty bitty tried to attack again, i thought of what you said and tried it. i didn't have on a jacket, but i flapped my arms real big and made a bawking sound and started chasing him around the yard.

at first he didn't know what to do. but as i chased him, he started running away. i did this several times and now he avoids me. tell you what though, that's QUITE a workout flapping those arms and chasing after a chicken. i was out of breath after i did it.

my son thought it was hilarious. hope my neighbors weren't looking. LOL

 

[ivan3]

Silkiechicken: Our guy will call the girls over behind a tree (out of my line of sight), that he knows enough to be sneaky is enough for me.

I don't know about the ultimate utility of `rooster aerobics', but for all of those with feisty boys - a pair of mud boots prevents flogged shins and allows one to just stand there and let the roo get it out of his system (you don't have to back off or get a broom) - also good for biosecurity (mudboots only for the chook area).

Oh, this works for standards - high flying Bantams - maybe not so much

 

[skeeter9]

Well, now my rotten Araucana roo attacked my daughter and tore her legs all up - and for no reason at all!!!! This is so frustrating!!! We have been doing well with him lately - giving him treats and spending time with him. But then he decides to run across the yard, around the house, and attack my daughter who was nowhere near any of his hens. I just don't get it. It's like he sneaks around just waiting to find one of us with our guard down, then BAM, he attacks. He used to be such a sweet, tame boy. I've been trying to pick him up so that I could try the pressure-point thing, but he won't let us touch him anymore. He comes right up to us and eats treats, etc, but we can't touch him or pick him up. I think we have a nutcase on our hands!!!

Lori

 

[blue90292]

Lori, i coulda swore i found this article thru your thread but i guess not.

i found it to be a very good read.

http://shilala.homestead.com/roosters.html