swissmiss78
In the Brooder
- Apr 8, 2015
- 11
- 0
- 29
We have a beautiful Australorp Rooster on our property. He is the only rooster to 8 hens (soon to be an additional dozen if all of our chicks make it!). He takes VERY good care of his ladies and I don't think we could find a better rooster for our flock.
Recently, he has decided to rush at me when he sees me carrying the famous 'scratch cup', which is what I feed them treats out of in the morning and then again at night. He has never full on attacked me but I am sure if I didn't get big and yell at him, he would attack my legs. Once or twice he has run at me when I don't have food in my hands... he is easily swayed from attacking me if I simply face him and say no. But then if I turn my back to him again, he will rush me again, until I face him. This can go on and on my entire walk to the coop!
I have read post after post on this site - and took the advice of some in picking him up when he does this and carting him around with me for 20 or 30 minutes. When I take the time to do this, he turns back into his ol' sweet self for several days - but then slowly progresses back into the roo that will charge at my legs. I don't get it. Doesn't he know I'm the boss by now?
I am afraid some will say it is time to make chicken stew - but I honestly love this guy and mostly he is very sweet to me (and ALWAYS, ALWAYS sweet to his ladies and the chicks!) so I don't want to give up in him. However, I don't want to spend hours every week trying to reteach him that I am the head cheese on the farm!
Any advice?
Recently, he has decided to rush at me when he sees me carrying the famous 'scratch cup', which is what I feed them treats out of in the morning and then again at night. He has never full on attacked me but I am sure if I didn't get big and yell at him, he would attack my legs. Once or twice he has run at me when I don't have food in my hands... he is easily swayed from attacking me if I simply face him and say no. But then if I turn my back to him again, he will rush me again, until I face him. This can go on and on my entire walk to the coop!
I have read post after post on this site - and took the advice of some in picking him up when he does this and carting him around with me for 20 or 30 minutes. When I take the time to do this, he turns back into his ol' sweet self for several days - but then slowly progresses back into the roo that will charge at my legs. I don't get it. Doesn't he know I'm the boss by now?
I am afraid some will say it is time to make chicken stew - but I honestly love this guy and mostly he is very sweet to me (and ALWAYS, ALWAYS sweet to his ladies and the chicks!) so I don't want to give up in him. However, I don't want to spend hours every week trying to reteach him that I am the head cheese on the farm!
Any advice?