How to tame a roo??

[cravenchx]

It's your turn to keep him this week!!! LOL

A week with no attacks!!!! WOW!!!

 

[Daisy8s]

If a bird is persistant with his aggression, then I give him the opportunity to wear himself out or get bored with attacks. No response by me is shown and bird seems to think attacking me is a akin to attacking something inanimate like a lawnmower. Recoil; bird will think he can beat you. Counter attack; he may up the stakes and begin treating you as a threat which is not another rooster. If you go the pecking order route, be prepared have repeat your aggression to keep him in his place as it is his job to test you and turning your back on him will be a sign of weakness or stupidity he can not fail to take advantage of.

I agree with Centrarchid. When my young rooster started doing testing pecks it reminded me of a toddler in the terrible twos. When his pecks got no reaction from me he became bored and moved on whereas if I would have had a big reaction it would have been reinforcing that he can control me reaction. (It greatly helps that it's winter and I'm wearing boots and gloves; wouldn't want to try to withstand exploratory pecks in sandals!)

Throughout BYC I read people's opinions that there are only two options for interactions with roosters. Option 1: fear. Option 2: aggression. The thinking goes something like, "If I show fear my rooster will be aggressive; therefore, I must be aggressive so my rooster will fear me." I think there is a third option. Option 3: neutral. I like Centrarchid's comparison of him becoming as inconsequential as a lawnmower.

It has really helped me in my interaction around my rooster. I move slowly, deliver food, hang out and talk while he's eating to desensitize him to my voice and presence, don't look him right in the eye as this is seen as an aggressive act in the animal kingdom, but that's it. My role is food and shelter. My role is not to engage in chicken behaviors.