mean rooster only attacks ME!

[Chickiemama1010]

UPDATE: I had read and re-read the "rooster behavior modification" page that was suggested and decided there was no time like the present to give that method a try....what did I have to lose? so this afternoon I went out to the chicken yard, and as usual I took the broom with me. I also took some treats with me...starting-to-shrivel grapes and winter squash innards, always favorites. When I entered the run, my roo started his usual crap, but he got a swift thump w/the broom, and then another, and a few words from me. I chased him out of the hen house and kept him at bay till the hens ate. He wasnt happy, but didnt make a move toward me. this went on for 10 mins or so, and eventually a hen ventured out to join him. He promptly crowed and mounted her, and BOOM! came the broom to his bum. He was startled and ran off. I gave chase, squaking at him and waving the broom around like a mad woman. He spent the next 10 mins hiding and peeking around the corner to see if I was still there. I chased him to the other side of the barn, and when he stopped trying to peek at me, I went back into the house. I looked out the window and watched as he slowly sulked back to the henhouse to get what was left of the grapes, looking nervously around the corner where he last saw me standing before he entered.. The immediate change in his attitude was incredible. I thought this was going to be a battle lasting weeks, or more, to undo the alpha status he has established already. Hes still fairly young, hatched around the 4th of July so not quite 7months old, perhaps that is working to my better interest because he backed down quickly in the open yard. I know this isnt over yet, but Im making progress. maybe we'll come to an understanding & he will miss the soup pot after all...

I never stood up to him in an aggressive way. I kept him a brooms distance away, and never turned my back on him if I could help it. I would walk backwards to go back toward my house. I got the job done as fast as possible and even sometimes took a piece of melon or an ear of corn etc out with me to toss into the corner to distract him so I could feed, water and collect eggs as fast as possible and then get the heck outta there. I know now why that greatly contributed to this mean roo problem.

Thanks to all who gave advise.

 

[Tala]

I don't think the job is ever OVER. Anytime he thinks he might get a leg up, he will attempt. The trick I think, and the very same reason that head roosters harass other roosters "randomly" is to never let him get any slack. Ever.

I have two young cockerels, feisty as you might imagine. The 2nd in command one will come up to the boss one, SEVERAL times every day, just walk up to him get in his face and puff up his neck feathers. Of course mr boss just puffs his up too and after a little stand-off the head roo chases off the challenger and pecks his booty as he runs away. Point being, the 2nd in command CONSTANTLY tests his status with the boss.

 

[gsim]

I would wear gloves and eye protection and pick him up every time I went outside . I would walk around with him pinned to my side so that he could feel the power and strength and learn that he could not break free . I would also at other times such as chore time, carry a stunner and zap him a good one each and every time he moved on me. I doubt it would happen, but if you kill him, so what? It is either him or you that will be the dominant chicken in the place. May be that all you will have to do is pull the stunner out and trigger it to send him running after one or two times. Again, as unlikely as it is, if you kill him, so what? the situation is intolerable as it now stands, and you might just suffer a serious eye injury to boot.

 

[Chickiemama1010]

Yes I realize I need to keep him at bay and on his toes whenever I see him, whenever he sees me, and a few times at random, just because I can. As far as zapping him goes, I dont think i want to do that. He may reform this way, seems to have shown progress in fact already. If he doesnt reform, I'll invite him to dinner, as the main course. I dont own a zapper. I dont feel like I want to buy one. If it was that bad, I DO own a .22, with a very nice scope. Several groundhogs and a coyote have found that out the hard way. I dont want to murder him. However Im not opposed to slaughtering him, humanely as possible if this cant change. He is a jerk. He is mean to me, he has made me sweat, bleed and quite frequently curse. But as I have been educated by these lovely BYC members with so much more knowlegdge than I, I realize he isnt evil or hateful. He is doing exactly what he thinks he is supposed to do as a roo. fight for the top spot, and fight to maintain his status there. Im 2nd in his eyes, and I aim to change that.

I understand the concept of seeing/hearing something (zapper) and learning THAT HURTS! STAY AWAY!
but i think if he can learn that, he can just as easily learn the broom swats him, Im bigger, Im smarter, and I win.
I chose the broom as a "weapon" because it is wider than a plain stick so I have more area to use to make a connection with his butt. And also because it wont break bones etc. As I said, I dont want to injure him severely. I think that is cruel. I just want to defend myself, startle him and maybe hurt his pride. No lasting physical damage. If it came to slaughter, I would tenderize the meat OFF the bird, not while he was still breathing.

Humans that make a decision to keep animals are obligated IMO to provide their care in a humane and compassionate way, in life, and in death, and even in slaughtering of meat-destined animals. It is a responsibility to our own Karma, and to our animals. We need to always be grateful for every great thing they give to us, whether it is the companionship of a dog, the eggs of our hens, or their lives for our dinner. And what we give them in return should be humane and with great responsibility and regard for their lives and well being.

Im not a religious person, but I saw someone's sig. while looking thru the forum. it is a Bible passage I believe from Proverbs, that said "A righteous man regards the life of his beast"
I agree

 

[highcountrychickens]

WELL DONE!!!!!!!

now... step back for a second... Can you think of ANYTHING else that would have you running around doing those things??

... and celebrating such a victory?

that's why were' all here on this site -

 

[Beekissed]

Chickiemama! Congrats on taking back the streets!

Now, when you go out there you merely have to make a sudden move in his direction and he will run. It's kind of fun now and again to see if he remembers his lessons....sort of like reinforcing a dog's training. Just like with your dog, any little slip in manners should be corrected immediately if you want longlasting results.

I must admit, I've never had to do this more than once to any mean roo I've ever had. From the first lesson, they have kept their distance and never challenged my authority again.

All that without picking up or carrying one roo around my yard......

 

[ReiMiraa]

after reading this i realize i am lucky. my roo is close to 10 pounds and is almost a year old. i have never had problems... for the most part i ignore him... when i pick up the hens he comes to protect him but when he sees me he stands and stares....
it could be that as a chick the old hens picked on him alot. or it could be my boyfriend. the roo didnt like him but my bf solved that with a shoe. this time of year snowballs are the weapon of choice.... so the roo is afraid of him and ignores me. so i guess i am lucky to have a timid roo.

 

[MowNGrow]

Wouldn't it be nice if this worked on human males

 

[Beekissed]

It does!

 

[Uzuri]

Quote:
I promise you, start swatting human males with a broom and you'll never have to worry about them approaching you again.

I guess now I know why I can't get dates.