New to roosters. He's chasing my dogs...

[augustwest]

I'm so new to chickens. It was a tough first year, but we are back in the saddle.

I have a roo (maybe he's still a cockrel?) that's about 16 weeks old. He's in the coop with 2 pullets his age and 2 hens that are a year old. He's terrified of us humans (so far, knock on wood) and is afraid of the hens as well. He's not yet crowing with any real consistency and is pretty funny looking as he's still in that goofy teenage stage. He's an ancona, if that makes a difference. He'll crash into a wall to get away from us. My 7 year old daughter calls him Spaz.

We've noticed that he's started to get brave with the dogs, however. We have 2 small dogs- one that's OLD and is about 30 pounds and another that is just a year and is about 20 pounds. Neither are interested in the chickens, though the small one seems to like to scatter them when they are free ranging.

Over the past week, roo has been coming up behind the dogs and doing that funny snake neck thing with all his feathers sticking up. He's not made contact at all and if the dog turns around, he FREAKS OUT and runs in the other direction. Sometimes he actually cries when he runs. The old dogs seems to not know that this is happening and that's my worry. I do not want her to get hurt when she's not asking for it. The younger dog seems to have caught on and if she turns to face him, the roo runs away as desribed above.

I'll admit that I am a little worried about a roo and have been careful to keep him in line. I understand that having a roo to protect the girls from a dog is a GOOD thing! But I don't want to start a war.

I'll also admit that I am worrier and am prepared for some to think that this is just a silly question.

Re-reading it, it IS kind of silly!

 

[hennyannie]

I think they will all work this out. It doesnt sound like the little guy is all that serious about it, just showing off for the girls.

 

[Ceilismom]

Quote:
I don't mean to make fun of this situation at all (and since I don't yet have any chickens in my possession, I'm in no position to give advice), but I must admit that the mental image of what you are describing is making me giggle.

 

[Judy]

I must admit it is amusing -- but I also understand the concern. I think for now I'd just keep an eye on things. Hopefully it is all posturing and nothing serious will come of it. The old dog might surprise you and turn around and snap or growl if he gets annoyed, and I imagine this will send the roo running. Cockerel, actually.

FYI: under one year they are cockerels and pullets. Over one year they are roosters and hens. Learned on BYC.

 

[augustwest]

It IS ridiculous! Even funnier is that our little dog only has three legs.... so here she is hopping around with this crazed rooster all jacked up behind her. The little dog is dumb like a box of rocks (we LOVE this little dog dearly, don't get me wrong) and is completely unaware that the rooster is stalking her. He looks like a little velocoraptor and she looks like an innocent bunny rabbit.

And then here I am, all worried and wringing my hands over the whole thing.

Thanks, henny. I guess that's what I needed to hear. He'll figure out that the dogs aren't a threat and will just forget about them. I think that I've been reading too many posts. I'm so afraid that this roo is going to go postal on me, the dogs, the kids, an innocent bystander that I can't stop obsessing over him.

Again, thanks!

 

[augustwest]

Thanks Ddawn. I have cats that will take a dog out for just looking at them funny. But, I feel like cats are more predictable. These roo stories have me shaking in my boots! (black heels actually)

 

[Stevo]

I have one roo. Little Buff Cochin Bantam. He would go after the dog, pigs, UPS man, grandaughter, and occasionally ME. I cured him of this by placing a size twelve in his behind everytime I caught him doing it. He still wants to attack the pigs sometimes but he is so small they ignore him lol. He runs when he is on the attack and sees me coming now.

I got rid of all my other roos. Had one big spek sussex and he was a terror. Wife was at the point of arming herself with a broom everytime she went out to the barn. Size twelve made no difference to him. He made a great soup on one of our coldest winter days

 

[schellie69]

He is showing off and trying to prove that he is the Man. When I got my rooster he did this. Just make sure as he ages that he knows that he can't do this to humans. The dogs and him will work things out. Your Cockerel is just feeling his oats. When he gets to about 5 months that is the teenage stage watch out then everything that moves is up for a challenge even a old bag blowing in the wind. He will also start mounting anything that stands still long enough including an old chewed up stuffed dog. I know I watched my Cockerel do this. Just keep an eye on things and if you feel the need when he is doing this shoot some water at him from a hose or water gun.

 

[augustwest]

Great advice. Thank you everyone!