Hello, I am new to this page. I just got my first chickens last spring and have been going to this sight for questions ever since. I have a few questions that I have not been able to find so I decided to join and ask for myself. I have 5 hens and 1 rooster, I use to have more, but due to my coop and where I live I was having problems, but that is fixed now (I have a coop and run, fairly big. Its probably 30-40 square foot and I can walk through the entire thing). I have normally gathered the eggs every evening when I got home but lately due to crazy work I may skip a day of going and gathering eggs. I read that it was not a big deal to let then sit in the coop for an extra day. Please let me know if this is not okay, That is my first question. So since I have been missing a day of going to the coop here and there it seems like the rooster is getting a little on edge. Every time I enter the coop he hopes up on this little ledge and looks at me funny and I feel like he is puffing out his chest but I really cant tell? So today, I went to gather the eggs, and while I was in the coop he kind of hoped up and tried to claw my legs? My natural reaction was a shoo with the boot and I said knock it off nothing too dramatic though. So my second question is is why did he do that? Is it rooster-hormones? I have been wearing a different type of pants to work, did he not like those? Im the only person to ever take care of them so I dont see why he would have done that. My only logical thought is because I have been skipping nights here and there and maybe he doesnt like that? If someone could help me out, that would be great. I dont every hold my chickens, never really have, so hopefully that isnt the problem. Thank you in advance. -Tyler
Hello and We are glad you joined us! It's fine to let the eegs sit in the coop an extra day, as long as it's not over 85 degrees and you don't have your rooster fertiling the eggs, so they don't start to develop. Hmm, it sounds like your rooster is becoming territorial. This isn't good, but there are ways to stop it. He's doing this because he's no longer viewing you as boss, he's viewing you lower then what he is, and you never want to have a rooster do that because he can attack you. So what you want to do to show him that this is unacceptable and your the boss is chase him until you catch him, and then once you do you can do two this. One hold him strong under your arm and poke is head with two of your fingers, and keep doing this until he keeps his head ducked and he stops struggling. Two keep him pinned on the ground until he stops struggling and poke his head the same way. This two techniques make him think you are the dominant rooster, and therefore he'll treat you with respect, and you can avoid an attack, which might make you say "bubye". If you have any other questions feel free to message me,in love to talk chickens! I have a ton, which has made me do a lot of research. Also feel free to check out the other forums on here to ask your questions, people will give you better responses faster. Hope this helps. Once again CherriesBrood~
Roosters are not the smartest - when you miss a day, you are probably a stranger to him. He is getting very protective and doesn't want you near his hens. But, if you don't pick up eggs in a timely fashion - sooner or later one will get broken - the hens will try it and decide they love the taste of eggs. Once a hen eats one, they other hens quickly pick up the habit and start deliberately breaking the eggs open. Which is a very hard habit to break and you won't have any edible eggs. If you don't need fertile eggs for hatching or to sell., you don't even need a rooster. Hens will continue to lay just as many eggs without one.
Hello Tyler! Welcome to BYC and the coop! There's a lot of great peeps here! Feel free to ask lots of questions. But most of all, make yourself at home. I'm so glad you decided to joined the BYC family. I look forward to seeing you around BYC.
I find using a kids water pistol or indoor plant sprayer is an effective way of teaching your rooster who is in charge, but id suggest you put effort into changing his behaviour ASAP because being attacked by a rooster is no laughing matter (believe me!) and he is likely to get increasingly bold in his behaviour. CT
