I can't believe he gave me a rooster!!

[newchickiefarmer]

Okay...Here's the sitch...I FINALLY got rid of a banty rooster that I had (local vet took him for his flock of hens). YAY! But that left my little frizzle banty hen all alone, So I went and got more hens for her..........one started crowing last weekend

SOOOOO I called the hatchery and told the guy the problem, he said no problem bring him back we'll trade...so I brought him back last night.....he gave me a red sex link hen, and when my hubby asked where he wanted the rooster he said "I don't want him!!"..grrrr so now I have a rooster that I don't know what to do with!

Eating, killing, or otherwise hurting him is not an option. I've put him in the classifieds already...

Is it possible to tame a roo?

 

[wolfie]

Yes it is possible to tame a roo I have roos that will sit in my lap and go to sleep.

 

[newchickiefarmer]

well okay...how do you do that? He's only about one month old

 

[snowydiamonds]

let him into your heart

 

[Uppity Peon]

Give him treats and let him perch on your arm or lap while you hand feed him. Next time you visit he will want up again and you can give him a little treat again. Soon he will be your pet. Never let him feel threatened unless he misbehaves, and then use only enough deterrant to do the job. For example when you see he is about to peck at you, "peck" at his head first with a fingertip. Be gentle but consistent and I think he will learn his boundaries.

 

[rhodiegal]

Can you really train a Roo? Seriously - can it be done with a Roo that is instinctively over-protective/aggresive in nature?? I had one that was just plain mean - it did not matter how many treats he got or if he was 'disciplined' - he was just mean for no apparent reason. We handled him alot when he was young and I read somewhere not to handle them too much - so maybe that was our mistake? I have had a two others that were not very aggresive with me - only attacked a couple of times. It seems that they are all friendly until they reach about 6 months - then it is Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde.

I understand the natural protective instinct they have. Maybe they are like dogs with limited intelligence - some are naturally more Alpha male than others. The very Alpha ones do not seem to care what you do or don't do and are not very receptive to training - that is just my experience.

I would love to hear other people's experience with them - what worked and what didn't - particularly with the more aggresive personalities.

I have two young guys now, a Light Brahma and a Turken. The Light Brahma is sweet as apple pie (for the time being). The Turken is and has always been very curious and in your face. I worry more about the Turken. He lurks behind me all the time.

 

[Rootball]

It does vary a bit with breed

Brahmas are known to be gentle docile roos. In general RIRs are thought to be agressive. However it comes down to interaction.

I spend alot of time in Bali with men who participate in a certain unnamed sport. Although their roos are aggressive with other chickens, they are handled so much that they are as sweet as babies with humans.

 

[TexasVet]

I've only had trouble with one roo, a little Seabright banty. All the others have been fine. Maybe not "pets" that will follow you around, but they don't attack me.

When everyone has gone in to roost at night, I go out and pat the hens that I want to be pets. The roosters I actually pick up and pat. When you first start doing it, expect a lot of squawking and flapping. Just hold, pat, and talk to them until they settle down. That lets them know you're the "king rooster," and shows them that you're not out to hurt them.

Kathy, Bellville TX
www.CountryChickens.com
www.PivotalForce.com

 

[jenni2142]

I babied my roos from the time they were babies and haven't yet had the problem of them turning on me. i read the posts where people said not to handle them too much and decided that there isn't such a thing as too much love even for a rooster. As soon as I could tell they were roos I did treat them a little differently though, I gave treats but to known girls first and didn't let them up on my shoulder. Cuddles were always under my chin and I have a Sebright rooster(Danny) that still enjoys a cuddle there, he rubs his comb under my chin and against my neck. He bows his head for "comb kisses", does the rooster dance for me yes, but he wants me to pick him up. He will peck my feet when I take too long to pick him up for a cuddle but is very gentle about it. He also has no problem with me picking up and handling his girl. I have 2 more that are about 13 weeks that I also baby and they are on the way to being the same. One(Julep) is a silkie that climbs to the 2nd level of his cage and paces when he wants me to come pick him up. Roos can be a wonderful experience, enjoy him.
Sorry so long, I love my roos.

 

[georgialee]

Quote:
unicorns and rainbows popped into my head when I read that