He's still the boss.

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Shadrach

Roosterist
Premium Feather Member
5 Years
Jul 31, 2018
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Bristol UK
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I’ve read a lot of posts here and elsewhere about aggressive cocks and cockerels.
Rather sadly in my opinion, I’ve read a lot of responses along the lines of show him who’s boss.
My view is, if you want to be the boss then you need to be able to do what the boss does.

Can you fertilise the eggs of five hens each day?
Will you be there every day and every night?
Will you escort the hens to and from their nesting and egg laying sites?
What about giving them the best bits of your dinner?
Can you get the hens to follow you?
Are you prepared to die for them?
Of course, you won’t get bored and wander off when they have a long dust bath.
Are you going to dig for treats and give them to the hens?
How about breaking up their fights?
Can you see that hawk in the trees?
What about that weasel over there in the bushes?
Can you get the hens to accept you as boss?

Yes I know you can kill the cock….

He’s still the boss, he’s just the dead boss.
 
My view is, if you want to be the boss then you need to be able to do what the boss does.
The flock 'boss' is not the same as the keeper 'boss'.

Yes, many folks are oblivious about animal behavior/society and thus confused about their part in communing with it.
 
Personally, I think where people get into trouble, is the first flock people, who are fascinated with this new hobby. They are especially intrigued with the bird that approaches them, seems friendly. They are usually very kind people and would no more walk through a rooster than they would a toddler.. There are no older birds in the flock to teach the rooster appropriate manners in chicken society, and often time one gets a darling that turns into a nightmare. Especially in very small flocks, and small coops.

At that point, comes the advice of show them whose boss, I agree in that unless you are living with them like an older chicken is, you are not going to make much training. Some birds are jerks no matter what the circumstances.
 

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