New Rooster Drama / Help Request

[TashaFrancois]

I don't make pets of my cockerels, but I do pick them up at least once a week. I check them over for mites/lice, bumblefoot, weight loss, injuries, and general well being. They are not so afraid that I have trouble when I go to dust them, worm them, bathe, and get them ready to show.

I agree that building trust for his health is a good idea. I have two Roos, a Marans and a Cemani. Both have been held and I make it a point to touch their toes and combs. I don’t baby them but I don’t want to have to worry about them being feral towards me either. I bribe with treats and they all know the call I use for that. I usually will look them over when I lock them in at night. I just pick them off the roost give the the once over and put them back. They are still great at their jobs.

 

[getaclue]

Dust day is quite comical. I grab the rooster, set him in the square tote, scoop dust with my hands all over him, carefully rub a bit on his comb, wattles, etc. When I'm done I set him outside of the tote. Next I grab one of the hens. When this particular rooster was a bit younger, and I put the hen in the tote, of course she began squawking. I looked at him, he looked at me. I could see him thinking about whether he needed to protect the hen. By then I was rubbing dust on her. He took one look at the dust, gave the hen a look that said, hey she already did me, and if I come near her, she might try to dust me again. You're on your own. He walked off minding his own business, like he should have.

 

[Radian]

Thanks for the insight folks. I appreciate it.

 

[sourland]

Great advice given about hens educating young cockerels and treating hens as pets but roosters as chickens, Good luck with him.

 

[getaclue]

Well stated sour!

 

[MROO]

I agree that building trust for his health is a good idea. I have two Roos, a Marans and a Cemani. Both have been held and I make it a point to touch their toes and combs. I don’t baby them but I don’t want to have to worry about them being feral towards me either. I bribe with treats and they all know the call I use for that. I usually will look them over when I lock them in at night. I just pick them off the roost give the the once over and put them back. They are still great at their jobs.

Checking them once they're calm and settled on the roost is a great way to get a young fellow used to being handled. If you have the room, you may want to put another roost in for him, even if it's just a temporary one on legs (like a little sawhorse.) He'll stay much cleaner that way, and he may even end up sharing his roost with one of his new lady-friends.