MissChick@dee
~ Dreaming Of Springtime ~
I did all that...with great regrets. I picked up...I pinned the chest to the ground...I used a stick not to hit but to place under his breast and keep him away. I tried the hand feeding.Please, and I mean, PLEASE use caution if you do decide to adhere to Beekissed's method. Those who shared it with me a few years ago meant kindly, but the techniques created nasty cockerels. Information found within may not yield desirable results for everyone. (not intending to offend, just speaking from personal experience)
My first 30-40 roosters were disasters. Only one made the cut. Looking back, it was all my fault. Admittedly, I terrorized them, attempting to follow expert instruction. Natural behaviors, such as crowing/going after the hens, were worthy of punishment. None received permission to eat or drink in my presence, I briefly chased them without reason, roughly shoved any out of my way (even if I purposefully invaded THEIR space), and pinned them to the ground. Little did I know, this only instilled fear, not respect. Any guesses how many times said roosters flogged me? Sadly, too many to count. Poor things felt cornered, obligated to defend themselves in my presence. This situation was stressful for everyone involved. Since splitting from the pack, so to speak, we raised another group of 14....with LOVE and RESPECT. None of the persecution described above. 11 out of 14 made it.....zero aggression.
Think about it this way. Consider the pecking order dynamics, and its fluid nature. Does the dominant rooster always remain dominant, or will he face challenges from his subordinates? Will there be a constant desire to overthrow his authority? If you display "rooster" behavior, which cockerels understand, you are automatically deemed a "rooster" in his eyes. Act like a rooster, and he'll treat you as one. Opposition to your dominion is inevitable at this stage, and will almost certainly lead to an attack (or several). Moral of the story: best to remain an outsider. It's optimal not to become a member of the pecking order, and furthermore, avoid meeting your cockerels on their level. Beekissed's article denounces picking up and carrying offenders by way of correction, simply due to the fact "they don't understand," but this is exactly WHY you should! It's decidedly non-aggressive, AND potentially a way to remedy bad behavior without causing him to view you as his kind. If he wing dances for your benefit (another exhibition of hostility), don't advance upon him, or retreat. Such responses are indicative of dominance/submission. Rather, either stand still (thus lacking the reaction he's striving to attain), or scoop him up. Neither speak his language.
Perhaps try hand-feeding him. Who doesn't love food, and also love people who bring them food? The best thing to focus on right now is earning his trust.....positive association.
A good rooster isn't guaranteed by using ANY of these methods, since part of the equation depends on his natural tendencies.Just follow what appeals to you, and hope for the best.
~Alex
The worst rooster I had was one I nursed thru pendulous crop & crop issues out of this world! A huge baby who once he came into his own he was a terror. To the hens and humans.
IF I ever get another Roo I will treat him like a Rooster. I had a Roo that to this day I probably should of kept....he paid attention to the girls and not me. So much depends on the individual bird. But when they’re going thru the mental illness called....puberty...that’s where our interference can swing the axe in one direction or another. IMHO
) a very large number of cockerels, though, and am merely sharing what worked after some experimentation/behavioral observation.
You're doing a great job. 
