Is it my fault the rooster doesn't like me?

[tracecom]

I enjoy my chickens, and would be sad if something bad happened to them. I like seeing their interaction and watching them mature and learn new things. I like giving them treats, and I have fun improving their coop and run. I even sort of enjoy cleaning up after them. I have a park bench that I put outside the run so that I can just sit and watch them and listen to them. It's rewarding to collect their eggs, and to eat them. I am looking forward to having a broody hen and letting her hatch eggs and raise chicks.

I picked the breeds that I have because they are supposedly "combination" birds, good as layers and as meat birds. I would have absolutely no problem processing and eating any excess, but my wife has serious objections, so I will accede to her wishes, for the present.

So, I guess I don't "love" my chickens; I just like them.

ETA: I awoke this morning with the thought that my chickens feel the same way about me. They don't love me, but they like me.

 

[needageekette]

The last picture is of my daughter touching Jacks neck lol

 

[donrae]

What a beautiful flock! I have to say, though, the naked necks still kinda skeeve me out.....but they're also weirdly fascinating! Years ago, I said I'd never have silkies and now have a pair....who knows what the future might hold for naked neck birds?

 

[needageekette]

Thank you
Jack (naked neck) is really sweet and when you talk to him he talks back a lot. Most people have the same reaction as you. lol He was my surprise chick when I ordered my chicks. I will never forget our surprise when we saw that little dinosaur looking peep. I feel in love with it and held it all the time - I couldn't help it. He was weirdly cute.

 

[Outpost JWB]

Nice pics. The flock looks good. I think the naked neck would grow on you. It's odd in a good way

Thanks for sharing the pics.

 

[Kikiriki]

 
I have a 5 month old Brown Leghorn rooster named "Lester" that seems to have it out for me. At this point, he doesn't seem to have a problem with my husband - So, my husband thinks I am paranoid, however, I am the one he jumps at when I turn my back.  Lester doesn't have spurs yet, however, I am starting to be very uncomfortable around him and am dreading the day he does have them.  All the hens love him - following him everywhere.
 
If I try to explain to my husband that I am afraid and I can tell that "Lester" is posturing - my husband doesn't see his behavior as aggressive. Lester is the Alpha and we have 3 other roosters that are really nice to me and I am not afraid of them. We are newbies and still have a lot to learn.  I am getting discouraged.

Lester neither likes nor dislikes you.  Dislike is an emotion.  Chickens including roosters have no emotions.  However they do follow the dictates of the pecking order in the matter of individual machismo or flock power dynamics. Lester sees you as a human that he can dominate.  

http://www.researchgate.net/profile...n_chickens/links/0fcfd50410fbb49465000000.pdf

Chickens do have emotions. Emotion is a neural response that affects physiology and behavior. Fear and anger and contentment are all emotions. An emotion like "shame" requires an understanding of norms, and the awareness that one has violated the norm, and feels outcast for doing so. Since chickens are social, they may actually experience distress at being outcast, so they may even experience some degree of shame.