is it time for the stewpot for him?

[tdgill]

I think anything could be considered a treat! lol. Anything I feed my chickens by hand is a special treat to them it seems. They can be in a yard full of grass, but if I pull up a handful and feed it to them, its like the tastiest thing they've ever eaten! LMAO. I too would give the roo a chance to come around. I tried dominating one of my problem roos by scaring him but didnt feel good about it. And it seemed to make him trust me less. The opposite of what I really wanted. I get a little peck once in a while but nothing hard, I would try picking him up when he does it and carry him around a bit. I think he's young and unsure of things and asserting himself out of fear and distrust. I am by no means an expert, but I have been successful so far. I often hand feed my roos treats (literally anything you'd eat) and they in turn give them to the girls. I would not chase the roo personally, but I am not afraid of him and wouldnt let him run me off either.

 

[write2caroline]

My Rooster just started attacking the family. He does not attack me. Or anyone else when I am around but when I am away My rooster has taken to attacking my husband, and kids (12 & 17) I have instructed them to always keep a stick handy to fend him off and to not show fear at this aggression plus they pick him up and hold him till he calms down. Now he has taken to "Chicken" tactics- When they turn their backs to leave he now takes the cheater mentality and attacks from the rear. Not sure what to do but I am thinking too that if he continues....He too is destined to be cocovin served over noodles.

Caroline

 

[Ridgerunner]

Here is the Treats Chart. It might be of interest.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-Treats_Chart

I don't handle my chickens, rooster included, except for inspections and mite and lice checks. Occasionally I'll slowly walk toward the rooster and make him back down, especially if I get the feeling he may be thinking of acting up. I do not move quickly and try to provoke him, but give him time to think about it and time to back down. When I do check them, the other hens will go to the far corner of the run and the rooster will position himself between his gals and me, exactly like he should.

My wife very seldom goes into the run. When she does, he wants to act up but she takes a broom and gently (well, kind of gently) intimidates him and he then leaves her alone.

 

[tdgill]

Quote:
I like this post...

 

[Lensters]

Quote:
Well I guess it comes down to who do you want to protect, the roo or your family? I'm sure you're thinking both, but so far no one has come up with a suitable idea. It seems pretty obvious that you free range your birds. Well, his free range time is over. Build him his own little coop and run and only let him out when you are supervising. Or if that is too much money or work, I'm sure your kids will have never tasted better chicken than the one that attacked them (even if he will be a bit tough).

Edited for grammar.

 

[Bullwinkle]

Hi Slackwater:

I would start by reading Gritstars info on Roo's (copied from the link above)

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=4810

I have 6 full grown (1 year old last week) roosters and two young roosters (born last september).

They very, very rarely will try get 'uppity' with me. What has worked for me:

1. If one of them does try to peck at me I instantly grab them and firmly hold them tight while doing other chores.
2. I try to show I'm the 'alpha' by knocking any rooster off of a hen they are trying to mate (since the poor hens are 1/3 the weight of some of my roo's I feel like I'm doing the poor hens a favor anyways!)
3. I don't allow one of my roo's to chase or dominate another roo when I'm around (you'll sometimes see a higher ranking roo break up a couple of lower ranking roo's).
4. I try to wear the same boots each day. I NEVER wear white tennis shoes or anything with white in it below my knees. Maybe its just me, but the few times in the last several months a roo has tried to peck me I have went out with something white on. They seem to focus on things below your knee level (i.e. on their level), so color changes or bright things may trigger their protective instincts?

My hens are great, but the roo's add a lot of variety and interesting behaviors to my flock. Don't give up on your roo yet....

 

[pardenx3]

Our roo, Jerry is fine with me, but my son and husband get aggresively flocked every time they go in the coop. Wayne (hubby) and Jerryget into it, and Jerry ends up knocked to another end of the coop somewhere. Just a rooster thing I guess. Wayne keeps threatning the frying pan, but it will never happen. Jerry will live to attack again.

 

[tdgill]

I have problems with red it seems... lol. Arent they just the funniest things! Oh and I had a robe on today and my buff roo did a double take at the hem of it. I suppose the robe moves differently and caught his attention. And to top it all off, my DBF says "What are you doing wearing your robe out to the coop?" and I said, "funny - that's the same thing the roo asked me"

ETA:
do they ever take Jerry treats???

 

[Terri O]

When I worked at the shelter in my county sometimes we got aggressive roos from people. We had one that we called "evil black chicken" I was never able to rehab him but I have had luck with other roos...a good swift kick in the a## seems to work! I figure this will work or they are in the pot!