Is it possible to train a rooster to mate with a hen gently?

[307151]

elizabeth253,

Think about this. Most chickens kept by backyard fanciers are currently dead ends. That means they are very unlikely to have any offspring persisting more than a couple generations. If you intend to buck that trend, then breeding for a purpose will help greatly. Products of the breeding effort must be consistent and have characteristics desired by others that ultimately would want to have what you had a hand in breeding. At this time in our society the crosses will not meet that criterion unless you do many generations of selection with many birds. Otherwise stay within the breed. Do not waste effort on aggressive birds, especially if a given individual is aggressive while others raised with it are not.


The attacks launched likely to have a reason as far as the bird is concerned. Start thinking about that birds thoughts and see where you can removed the perceived threats. That will cut down on the number of roosters that are problematic.

I have no idea why that bird would attack my little chihuahua. But I'm not about to risk that happening again, she's 10 years old appraoching 11. She's as harmless as a rabbit, she doesn't chase the chickens or anything, at the most just smells them, but they have never freaked out from her smelling the chickens. I mean, she has chased the chickens before, but that was when they were only a few months old. Plus he has attacked me and my dog without the chickens freaking out to give him a reason to attack.

 

[centrarchid]

I have no idea why that bird would attack my little chihuahua. But I'm not about to risk that happening again, she's 10 years old appraoching 11. She's as harmless as a rabbit, she doesn't chase the chickens or anything, at the most just smells them, but they have never freaked out from her smelling the chickens. I mean, she has chased the chickens before, but that was when they were only a few months old. Plus he has attacked me and my dog without the chickens freaking out to give him a reason to attack.

Try to think like a chicken, not a lawyer. That means your logic may simply consider is someone physically close to you and a threat because there. Also hens need not freak out to give a signal that you are closer than desired. The birds give very subtle signals and the rooster almost certainly gave a warning before attacking but you and dog missed it. Noting signals can help you figure out the rooster's boundaries. Signals are subtle but with practice you can detect them.

 

[307151]

Care to educate me on these signals?

 

[centrarchid]

Care to educate me on these signals?

Give me a few days to round up video links. Make certain your computer-sound system works.

 

[eggorthechicken]

If my rooster attacked my dog he would be gone. Sounds like you have a good amaeracana rooster already thats a keeper. I have several roosters in my flock now....few older who are deemed keepers and a few younger who are still figuring it out. They will probably be rehomed. Some of my younger boys will chase the older hens around but those older hens can and do stand their ground. They don't do this with the main rooster. He doesn't have to. He has earned their respect and vice versa.

 

[307151]

Give me a few days to round up video links. Make certain your computer-sound system works.

If my rooster attacked my dog he would be gone. Sounds like you have a good amaeracana rooster already thats a keeper. I have several roosters in my flock now....few older who are deemed keepers and a few younger who are still figuring it out. They will probably be rehomed. Some of my younger boys will chase the older hens around but those older hens can and do stand their ground. They don't do this with the main rooster. He doesn't have to. He has earned their respect and vice versa.

Yes please send me the videos. I would like to inform you all, I've butchered him today. My chihuahua was too scared to go to the bathroom today while he was out there in her sight, so she came back inside and went in there for the first time since I have moved in to our place. I then also later heard him get into it with my dog again, and my cat was by the dog too so I don't know if he went after her too or not. It's shame though, he was well at protecting his girls, he just protected them from the wrong creatures. My dog has never hurt a hen or even a baby chick, neither has the cat. I trust my dog outside with the chickens by himself. I have kept his feather because they are pretty, so I'm wonder how do I go about drying them and puffing them up to be perky again like they originally were?

 

[eggorthechicken]

Yes please send me the videos. I would like to inform you all, I've butchered him today. My chihuahua was too scared to go to the bathroom today while he was out there in her sight, so she came back inside and went in there for the first time since I have moved in to our place. I then also later heard him get into it with my dog again, and my cat was by the dog too so I don't know if he went after her too or not. It's shame though, he was well at protecting his girls, he just protected them from the wrong creatures. My dog has never hurt a hen or even a baby chick, neither has the cat. I trust my dog outside with the chickens by himself. I have kept his feather because they are pretty, so I'm wonder how do I go about drying them and puffing them up to be perky again like they originally were?

There's a line between being protective and all out aggressive. A good roo will still protective his hens and should still be respectful of you and your pets. It shouldn't be scary to walk out in your yard for you or your pets. It is a hard thing to do but you don't want to breed that temperament into your flock. I have had my share of rotten roosters too.

 

[JadedPhoenix]

Quote: You are right. We shouldn't confuse the two.

 

[307151]

I had one rooster that would get into fights with my dog, now I'm left with a rooster that does dances for my dog.....

 

[RoosterCogburn7]

I want him to be a gentlemen. I've only ever heard him crow, never call out for predators or call the hens over for food.

Have you tried playing Barry White in the coop?