Is it possible to gentle roosters?

[MochaDuck]

Snow5164 and TheTwoRoos, I appreciate that you both have replied to my form, but I also see you have different opinions on how to tame roosters. Please don't start an argument, it won't help anyone. You both have good points to your sides, and no one is forcing you to tame your roosters a different way than you currently are. If you don't feel you can calmly reply to the others post, then please just don't reply. I'm not trying to be bossy, I just don't want to see an argument break out. BYC is a compairitly peaceful social media website and I hope everyone can keep it that way.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

Oh we’re not trying to argue,just trying to help.Hoep I could help.

 

[Chicksnmind]

So what do you suggest to do to a 22week old rooster? He’s gone after me once when he was out of the pen and once after my daughter. We went on a 3week trip and when I saw him today he tried to go after me through the fence when I walked up to the run. I know he is having a hormone surge. I would like to keep him if I can change his attitude.

 

[starrmar006]

I would stop hand feeding them for a little bit, start getting between him and his hens to show dominance, or try to show your not a threat by giving the hens treats or no scare the hens when you pick them up, I had this happen to me but my rooster will full on attack me, I bred him with the same hen breed and when we a rooster he was sold faster than you can say uncle

 

[ramboas93]

My roosters know who the real boss is, when they get physical i get physical they get hyphy i get hyphy, don't back down, dont let that rooster dominate you and give back what they deal out and they will eventually get broken or you will. If my rooster came running at me id run right back at him and stomp very aggressively in front of him. he pecks me i give him little boot. Don't ever be the one that walks away first or it will reinforce that their dominate to you. They won't learn the first time it will take many just like two roosters figuring out pecking order they dont learn from the first fight it takes several before they figure out whos above who. You hand raising them make them see you as part of the flock and hes trying to jump you in the pecking order.

 

[getaclue]

Chicks, I'm going to suggest a method I sort of learned on here by another member. While I've only had to use this on a couple of my cockerels, I caught the behavior early, and after the first day of training, they changed right around. After a week of training, they've never shown any aggression since then. The method can be adapted some to suit your needs, but it's pretty straightforward, and gets the point across. It sounds like yours are at that hormonal stage. Make no mistake, a rooster can do some damage to a person, so it's better to deal with it early on.

Contributed by Beekissed.
I'm going to give you a clue on "rooster speak"....holding him down doesn't mean anything to him. If you'll watch how roosters interact between dominant ones and subordinate ones, there is rarely any, if ever, holding a bird down for a long time when there is an altercation. There is very quick flogging, gripping by the back of the head and flinging him away or getting him down and giving some savage pecking to the back of the head or neck. No holding him down and nothing else. That's a rooster on a hen maneuver, not rooster on rooster.

Because your rooster is attacking you, you are the subordinate in this picture. You are getting dominated by your bird simply because you are walking where a subordinate isn't supposed to be walking when a dominant is in the area. What you never see is a dominant rooster getting attacked by a subordinate rooster unless there is going to be a definite shift in power, at which time the sub will challenge the dom and win...or lose. So far you are losing and not even challenging.

If you want to win this battle, you must go on the offensive, not the defensive. He who attacks first, and is still claiming the area when the other guy leaves it, is the winner. Some people never have to go on the offensive because their movements in the coop are so decisive that they move and act like a dominant and a 2 ft. rooster is smart enough to recognize a dominant attitude and behavior...which is likely why he's never attacked your husband. Most men move more decisively than do women and children and they rarely step around a bird, but walk through them.

Carrying him around also doesn't mean anything to him...it just doesn't translate at all. His environment is that coop and run floor and that's where you need to speak to him, in a language he understands. Because they are quick on their feet and can evade you, you need a training tool like a long, limber, supple rod of some kind...cutting a nice switch from a shrub or tree that will lengthen your reach by 5 ft. really helps in this. Don't use a rake or broom because they are too clumsy and stiff and can put the hurts on the guy when you don't really mean to.

When you enter your coop, walk with decisive movements and walk directly towards your rooster. Move him away from the feeder and the rest of the flock and keep a slow, determined pressure on him until he leaves the coop. The stick will help you guide him. Then...wait patiently while he gets his bird mind around what just happened. He will try to come back in the coop...let him. When he gets a good bit into that coop, take your switch and give him a good smack on the fluffy feathers under his tail if you can aim it well. If you cannot, just smack the floor near him very hard and fast until he hops and runs and keep at it until he leaves the coop once again. Repeat this process until he is too wary to come back in the coop.

Feed your hens. When he tries to come to the feeder, you "attack" him with the switch...smack the wall by the pop door just as he tries to enter. If he makes it inside, pursue him with the stick either smacking the floor or tapping him on the back or the head until he leaves in a hurry. Make him stay outside while you sit there and enjoy watching your hens eat. Use the stick to keep him from the flock..just him. Don't worry about the hens running and getting excited when this is happening...they will get over it. This is for the future of your flock and your management of it.

When the hens have had a good tucker....leave the coop and let him come back in. Go out later and walk through that flock and use your legs to scatter birds if they get in your way...top roosters do not step to one side for any other bird in the flock. You shouldn't either. Take your stick and startle him with a smack on the floor next to him when he is least expecting it...make that bird jump and RUN. Make him so nervous around you that he is always looking over his shoulder and trying to get out of your way. THAT'S how he needs to be from now on in your lives together. Forget about pets or cuddles...this is a language and behavior he understands. You can hand feed him and such later...right now you need to establish that when you move, he moves...away. When you turn your back, he doesn't move towards you...ever.

Then test him...take your stick along, move around in the coop, bend over with your back turned to him, feed, water, etc....but keep one eye on that rooster. If he even makes one tiny step in your direction or in your "zone", go on the attack and run him clear on out of the coop. Then keep him out while everyone else is eating.

THAT'S how a dominant rooster treats a subordinate. They don't let them crow, mate or even eat in their space. If the subordinate knows his place and watches over his shoulder a lot, he may get to come and eat while the other rooster is at the feeder...but he doesn't ever relax if he knows what is good for him. At any given time the dominant will run him off of that feed and he knows it, so he eats with one eye toward the door. If he feels the need to crow, it's not usually where the dom can reach him...maybe across the yard.

If your rooster crows while you are there, move towards him and keep on the pressure until he stops. He doesn't get to crow while you are there. He can crow later...not while you are there.

It all sounds time consuming but it really isn't...shouldn't take more than minutes for each lesson and you can learn a lot as you go along. And it can be fun if you venture into it with the right attitude....this is rooster training that really works if you do it correctly. This can work on strange roosters, multiple roosters and even old roosters...they can all learn. You rule the coop...now act like it. Carrying is for babies...you have a full grown rooster on your hands, not a baby.

 

[Chickassan]

At that age and since they are used to the hand feeding the "bites" aren't agression they are trying to find a way to mate your hand. Stop hand feeding at least until the hormones calm down and unless your boys are just mean "it does happen" you should be fine. I know it sounds awful lol! But I hand feed all my boys and 90% of the time they get weird for a while. It does pass but it is a strange time until it does.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

You can try all these methods,but an aggressive rooster is very hard to rehabilitate.

So what do you suggest to do to a 22week old rooster? He’s gone after me once when he was out of the pen and once after my daughter. We went on a 3week trip and when I saw him today he tried to go after me through the fence when I walked up to the run. I know he is having a hormone surge. I would like to keep him if I can change his attitude.

 

[mixedbreeds]

I would defiantly stop the hand feeding but that’s me I don’t bother the cockerels anymore we have an understanding and I do not touch them unless necessary for some reason. I haven’t been able to tame an aggressive Roo even after trying 2 years on one. I have two great Roos now and I have never touched either except picking up to put in a different pen for breeding and I was surprised they didn’t mind. One is a cream Legbar the other is a big black copper Marans

 

[centrarchid]

I have two roosters that love to bite our fingers. Is there any way to tame them of this?

I keep a lot of roosters and end products are not aggressive. Situation described is likely better handled by interacting with trouble makers without responding to their pecking. They will tire quickly. Do not offer feed or something they want until after they cease pecking.

Do not insert yourself into the pecking order of chickens. No smart and makes for chronic problems.

@TheTwoRoos, if I saw you interacting with my birds in they way you describe you would be escorted off the premises.