My docile roo has gone off the deep end! Updated, making progress!!

[the1much]

GREAT work guys !! ,, and there will ALWAYS be "refresher" courses,, hehe,, in the roo kingdom,, a week is like a life time,, and they think they grow 5lbs a week, so in a few weeks, he'll feel his "oats" again, and will have to be "shown" nothing has changed.
my big boy used to try bout once a month lol.
tell ya DS we're all proud of him,, takes courage to take on a mean ole roo

 

[fivestring]

Thanks for al the kudos, folks. It sure is nice to be back to a quiet flock. It seems like the roo is really chillin'. He was ok with son a second time today and DW and I just spent an hour sitting outside the run, just watching them and roo didn't charge at her at all, which is also some new improvements. It certainly seems to me he is back to his old, lovable self.

And now I (we) are certain what we will do at the next sign of aggressive behavior, either from him or the upcoming youngsters. No fighting back. I am fully convinced that shoving/kicking him with our legs was the exact wrong thing to do. Just by picking him up and holding him, we disable his ability to fight.

 

[Wynette]

You're 100% right! Only problem is that when it happens, first reaction (at times) is to kick or run. It's so true, that's the wrong thing to do. I think you caught this behavior soon enough that it wasn't yet "habit" for him, too, which also helps. I bet he's an awesome roo; those that seem to be the ones more likely to fight are SO protective of their girls! Enjoy your flock!

 

[flapjack43]

I know exactly what you are talking about i have a roo and he used to be sweet until he was about 5 months old and he started walking up behind me and attacking me for no reason i didnt expext it because i have handled and held him since day 1 and my dad is the only he dosent attack it started too get worse but now we fixed it......what you do is stand still and he we sooner or later get the hint you arent scared of him thats what i did with mine he is a silver leghorn and he is mean but he has gotten alot better i actually can pet him and be around him!

hope this helps!


Meagan

 

[vtchickenlady]

I have a 1.5 yr old Barred Rock roo that has progressively gotten more aggressive since March. He is just too mean and hard to catch. I was controlling him with the water hose which works well but you can't always have a hose in your hand. Then I started carrying a squirt bottle. The other day he came at me. I wasn't prepared and tried to defend myself w/ the bottle. He hit the bottle so hard it split in half. Boy, that made me mad. So, I went inside, got another bottle and added lemon juice to the water. I went back out and squirted him in the face. He looked at me like "WHAT THE H### WAS THAT!!" and shook his head for a while. I know the juice is stinging his eyes. I'm at the point that I don't care. That was a few days ago. I've been reminding him with it daily and now he's starting to show signs of backing down. I sure hope this cures him eventually. Has anyone tried this before?

 

[Wynette]

I've heard of using white vinegar mixed into water...lemon juice might be too caustic (?) to his eyes. I'm unsure, though!

 

[beepbeepinajeep]

Thank you for this thread... lots of good ideas to consider How is the roo doing now?