I LIKE my Rooster

[igorsMistress]

My jungle fowl rooster really watches his girls. He doesn't mess with me unless I am catching one. Then he comes at me, but I just hold a stick out and he jumps at that, then he figures out pretty quick he's not going to get past it and leaves. He's worth keeping because I had Cooper's hawks fly down after the flock before I got him. Now they never bother the hens. I guess they see him watching over the hens and somehow know better! He's worth keeping to me because he's always there and would fight to the death for the hens.

Beautiful boy! Is that a JRT as your avatar?

 

[igorsMistress]

But why would you care?

It's a rooster thing. I am in charge, he is subordinate to me. Those are MY girls. Subordinate roosters don't mate when the master is there, unless it's a challenge for authority.

 

[Steve J]

Beautiful boy! Is that a JRT as your avatar?

No that's Penny, she's a small beagle. I found her out in the woods in 2010 while walking my other dogs. She was about 6 weeks old and in a hole in the ground howling forlornly. Apparently she followed her mother and got left behind. She was covered in fleas and ticks, starving when I pulled her out. Still have her and she's a sweetheart. Other than food issues from nearly dying from starvation. (She wants to dominate all the food, even the bigger dog's share)

 

[Steve J]

Here's another shot of the red jungle fowl.

 

[Yorkshire lass]

I was telling a lady I know that we finally got chickens and she told me if I got a rooster I should be prepared to kick it across the yard to show it who's boss. I was horrified.

The minute I suspected a roo in my flock I started reading about how to handle it. I've learned so much from the experts here on BYC and I'm thankful. Because I like my rooster.

I love hearing Emmet crow in the morning, which isn't too early either. He's so sweet to the girls. He calls them for treats he finds, lets them eat first, and keeps a watchful eye for predators. He's a wonderful escort for them and they all seem to like him. No bare backs, he has never hurt anyone while mating.

We've had our moments of learning and he's beginning to understand the rules. Crowing is ok if he's across the yard, no mating in line of sight. He's been goosed on his fluffy butt and chased off and kept away from the girls. Shades of @Beekissed and her excellent advice. And she's right, it's FUN! I keep him guessing...some days I don't give him an inch of slack, some days he might get a break.

I have learned too though. I don't sit with the girls on the edge of the patio any more because he started his little shoulder drop dance. I put myself in a bad position before I even thought about what I was doing. We have a picnic table where the girls join me now instead, but he's not allowed up there with me.

I've taught my kids how to handle him and the grandkids are never allowed out to see the girls without an adult.

We seem to have an agreement , he still eats from my hand, but at arms length. I'm not afraid to turn my back on him, but I do keep an eye on him. So far he keeps an eye on me too but hasn't decided to attack. View attachment 1062327

 

[Yorkshire lass]

He's a lovely looking lad ☺

I have 2 rescue cockerels and I love them to bits. They are cutie pies and do also very much look after their ladies. I pick them up and cuddle them at least once a day. They are the most tame of all the chickens and are excellent patients when needing to tend to their eyes say, or treating for lice etc. Maybe I'm just lucky as have read quite a few stories of "bad" cockerels?!

 

[Mikus]

I got a Cream legbar Roo 5 days ago, he's absolutely gorgeous, problem is he attacked me this morning when my back was turned, I've been doing everything to try and show him who's boss, i.e not feeding him by hand, standing between him and my hens and chasing him off, not allowing him to crow when I'm in his sight etc etc! He was hand raised by an 11yr old boy so I fear he was too spoilt, he is only 16weeks and so isn't even fully mature mating wise and he's already done that to me! My hens free range aswell so everywhere is his territory! I don't mind him coming for me but I have kids aged 6 and 7 and it isn't fair on them to only let them out if I'm with them! I'm afraid of what you're all going to tell me as I think I know the answer but should I get rid of him???

 

[Yorkshire lass]

I got a Cream legbar Roo 5 days ago, he's absolutely gorgeous, problem is he attacked me this morning when my back was turned, I've been doing everything to try and show him who's boss, i.e not feeding him by hand, standing between him and my hens and chasing him off, not allowing him to crow when I'm in his sight etc etc! He was hand raised by an 11yr old boy so I fear he was too spoilt, he is only 16weeks and so isn't even fully mature mating wise and he's already done that to me! My hens free range aswell so everywhere is his territory! I don't mind him coming for me but I have kids aged 6 and 7 and it isn't fair on them to only let them out if I'm with them! I'm afraid of what you're all going to tell me as I think I know the answer but should I get rid of him???

 

[Mikus]

It's a rooster thing. I am in charge, he is subordinate to me. Those are MY girls. Subordinate roosters don't mate when the master is there, unless it's a challenge for authority.

I got a Cream legbar Roo 5 days ago, he's absolutely gorgeous, problem is he attacked me this morning when my back was turned, I've been doing everything to try and show him who's boss, i.e not feeding him by hand, standing between him and my hens and chasing him off, not allowing him to crow when I'm in his sight etc etc! He was hand raised by an 11yr old boy so I fear he was too spoilt, he is only 16weeks and so isn't even fully mature mating wise and he's already done that to me! My hens free range aswell so everywhere is his territory! I don't mind him coming for me but I have kids aged 6 and 7 and it isn't fair on them to only let them out if I'mwith them! I'm afraid of what you're all going to tell me as I think I know the answer!

 

[Yorkshire lass]

Hi Mikus

I sincerely hope you don't get rid of him and please keep trying. I have read that if you stand like a tree and let him try spurring you (protective clothing required!) and then scoop him up and hold/cuddle him until he relaxes, and keep doing this every day. I appreciate I haven't experienced a "bad" cockerel but view all other animals as attacking behaviour because they are scared and maybe haven't been handled correctly?