He's still the boss.

[Shadrach]

A rooster like you're speaking of will likely lose his life and his flock will be decimated despite his efforts or at least a decent portion will be whether he runs or attacks. A smart one will lead them to safety and then handle the threat if it still presents. That is my meaning behind "smart". The roosters I tend to keep will sacrifice themselves no question but they also keep on alert wonderfully so there really are very few situations where panic on their part is a deciding factor. I have watched my roosters do their one job and iv'e lost none, no roosters, no hens,no chicks. My flock free ranges from 7 until 7 and are only cooped at night when the rooster would be useless anyway. So I kindly disagree on the importance of an intellegent rooster.

I wish I could say the same. I've lost lots.
There is no leading to safety here if you have to move from under my chair.
I've timed a Goss Hawk coming from the donkey field to the house driveway. There is a clump of bamboo at the edge of the driveway. If the chickens get to that they live. Almost anywhere else (and there is plenty of cover) they die.
The Goss Hawk travels up the driveway at about 1 metre off the ground. The cock may see him at the bottom of the donkey field (he's got 4 seconds then) Next sighting will be when the hawk rises over a fence (three seconds left) Cock makes alarm call and hens look up (two seconds left) Everybody runs for the bamboo (one and a half seconds left. Hen squats because that's what they do when the threat is that close. Dead hen!

 

[MissChick@dee]

it's difficult to explain each time I post how my system is set up.
I do try not to write, 'you should do it this way'.
There are many posts on behaviour here that I believe I have the answer to but don't post because many want a fast fix, or a bit of sympathy and often what works for me quickly, isn't an option for them.

I will eventually get a couple of articles done and hopefully I can refer people to the articles, or maybe others might as well

My thoughts... you can’t hear someone’s Tone of voice or see their expressions here. Something’s get taken the wrong way. With that being said. I read a lot of articles here and justa’ bout anywhere for information. I have some life experiences and definitely opinions. People come here for the human experience (a paradox I know). Opinions are different than facts. By the time people are in crisis over a chicken situation they have not done their homework. Throwing up articles at that time is a mute issue. To me it says “here read this” which to me says they can’t be bothered. I like the idea of posted videos in time of crisis. It’s all about the human care and concern and community.

 

[Shadrach]

My thoughts... you can’t hear someone’s Tone of voice or see their expressions here. Something’s get taken the wrong way. With that being said. I read a lot of articles here and justa’ bout anywhere for information. I have some life experiences and definitely opinions. People come here for the human experience (a paradox I know). Opinions are different than facts. By the time people are in crisis over a chicken situation they have not done their homework. Throwing up articles at that time is a mute issue. To me it says “here read this” which to me says they can’t be bothered. I like the idea of posted videos in time of crisis. It’s all about the human care and concern and community.

I do understand this, I'm not very good at it though.

 

[MissChick@dee]

I do understand this, I'm not very good at it though.

Hold The Bus!
Honey Please!!
I admire anyone trying to make things better. Iffin you have good intentions in your heart. And you strive to a goal. If you teach and learn in the same breath. Your Awesome!!!

 

[aart]

it's difficult to explain each time I post how my system is set up.

I understand...might buy a premium membership then you can put a descriptive 'title' under your avatar...or just add a short description in your profile, for those who might actually look. Course those who actually look will find your 'topics started' and quickly learn about your setup. I often look at posts and topics before answering a query or offering suggestions. Just jabberin'.

 

[Shadrach]

I understand...might buy a premium membership then you can put a descriptive 'title' under your avatar...or just add a short description in your profile, for those who might actually look. Course those who actually look will find your 'topics started' and quickly learn about your setup. I often look at posts and topics before answering a query or offering suggestions. Just jabberin'.

I've only been here a couple of weeks
I hadn't intended to stay. I'm sitting in front of this \$&*\ computer trying to edit my book when where I want to be is outside with the chickens.
I probably will stay but I wont be posting at this volume for long.........sighs of relief all round

 

[Redhead Rae]

I don't care much if a rooster respects me, or not.
I recently had a rather warm debate here about child friendly chickens (its a long story)
If people are trying to keep chickens as pets, then of course, human friendliness is an issue.
The chickens here are not pets.
Just because the chickens here accept me and what I do doesn't mean they will for anyone else; in fact they wont. I get badly behaved cockerels and hens, but between me and other chickens we usually get them sorted out.

Her

You have a pretty unique situation, hard to compare it to most here,
so you have different criteria that won't be met by all.
My birds are not pets either, they are raised/kept for food,
but they would not be kept if they attacked any human, especially me.

We've had two roosters. The first was human aggressive. I have grandkids and the oldest helps with the flock. He's not a small kid, but I wouldn't put him danger regardless.

We tried all the things we read here, from one end of the spectrum to the other, but nothing worked. It got to the point that he punished the girls who would come for treats and that was enough. He was in charge, but I won't tolerate a tyrant. I had to think of the welfare of all involved and he was the problem. Sometimes it just works out that way.

One method doesn't work for all temperaments.

Here's the thing. I'm very much like @aart. I keep my chickens for eggs and meat. They are NOT pets. I have over 100 birds now and that wouldn't be practical. But I need to be able to go out in the field and handle my hens without risk of being flogged. So I select for males that are human avoidant, but will protect their girls. For example, I might catch a girl to inspect something I saw while watching them. Since they are NOT pets they flap and squawk bloody murder and the rooster comes running. When he sees me he stands off cackling his concern but won't challenge me. Contrast that to my first rooster, who was a Dominique/RIR and a MEAN son of a gun. I swear all my RIR crosses have had quiet a few screws loose. We free-ranged at the time and he wouldn't attack anyone who lived in the house if we were doing normal things. But he would viciously attack anyone he didn't recognize (my mom, the contractor doing our siding) and wouldn't relent. He would attack us if he didn't recognize what we were doing (carrying boxes, coolers across the yard, shoveling, etc). Attacking my mother while she was caring for them while we were away was the last straw. So we ate him. Since we hatch our own eggs, I have the liberty to heavily select for roosters that don't challenge people and that is what I chose to do. I want my children to help me with farm chores when they are old enough and a rooster, like the first one we had, was hard for an adult to handle, never mind a 5+ year old kid.

 

[aart]

I probably will stay but I wont be posting at this volume for long....sighs of relief all round

Nah, you're intelligent and articulate..... a welcome addition to the 'flock'.

 

[Perris]

x2 Edited to add that I've found your posts informative, thought-provoking, and inspirational. I'll miss you if you go.

 

[New2Chicks97]

Well it looks like we get a second chance at having a rooster as one of my daughter's silkies just started crowing.....if you can call it that. LOL! He is sweet though so hopefully he stays that way.