More rooster issues

[Folly's place]

I just looked her up by name, and her five articles showed up there.
Don't know how to directly link things though...
Mary

 

[aart]

Mary, do you have a link to this article? I don't know if I'm challenged or what, but I couldn't find it when I searched

Searching here is tricky
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/rooster-behavior-modification.72983/

 

[IamRainey]

Thanks. That article makes sense. But I've worked out a new strategy. If I want to work in the chicken yard, I herd him into the run and close the door. If I want to work in the coop or the run, I herd him into the yard and shut the door. And then I can accomplish what I need to undistracted and unmolested. But I am making a point of forcing him out of the area I'm in whenever I walk into and through the chicken yard.

 

[Folly's place]

Yes, he needs to move, not you!
Mary

 

[IamRainey]

More thanks to you guys, bobbie-j, kcan2, WallyBirdie, Folly's place and aart!

I think we're making progress! For one thing, this discussion as given me the impetus to take this situation seriously and not just use my stick to define my space. I now do this with some real authority and it's not good enough that he backs up 6'. Now I have him hopping to. He gets some wing action going and moves off in the other direction with some real zip.

I've never touched him with my stick. I just smack it at the ground or some structure near him. But the point is we've moved beyond it being a challenge and, I always worried, ramping up his attack instincts. Now he sees it as a warning that it's best if he beats a hasty retreat.

I'll still use the door of the run as a barrier so I can work undistracted and uninterrupted -- inside or out with him on the opposite side --but I think we're establishing who gets pecked in our personal pecking order.

 

[IamRainey]

I'm not read to say we have this thing beat but I haven't been thumped since I started this thread. That's 10 days.

I keep my stick at hand but today I was busy laying out pans of water because it got to 110˚ yesterday. So my hands were full and I didn't have it. Once done, I checked on a hen who's gone broody. I opened the hatch on the nesting boxes right in front of him. Then, right in front of him and stickless, I lifted out my broody and he didn't batt an eye.

I'm keeping up my regimen of sending him scooting any time I enter the chicken yard. I think it's gonna do the deal for us.

I thank you all profusely again and I thank you on Rocky's behalf too 'cause he has no idea that you guys saved his life!

 

[WallyBirdie]

I'm not read to say we have this thing beat but I haven't been thumped since I started this thread. That's 10 days.

I keep my stick at hand but today I was busy laying out pans of water because it got to 110˚ yesterday. So my hands were full and I didn't have it. Once done, I checked on a hen who's gone broody. I opened the hatch on the nesting boxes right in front of him. Then, right in front of him and stickless, I lifted out my broody and he didn't batt an eye.

I'm keeping up my regimen of sending him scooting any time I enter the chicken yard. I think it's gonna do the deal for us.

I thank you all profusely again and I thank you on Rocky's behalf too 'cause he has no idea that you guys saved his life!

I am so glad you found a way to make things work for you and your roo! It sounds like you have gained some confidence too.
Thank you for the update!

 

[IamRainey]

Yes. Thanks. It was totally through this discussion that I finally got that I need to be authoritative rather than defensive and to make my point register with consistency.

If I'd only known what I know now and recognized the problem earlier I'd still have my gorgeous Maurice.