Newbie needs help! My sweet little roo is going nuts!

[Muffin14143]

I guess maybe he could be begging for attention as well. My mom thinks it may just be displaced anger coming out on us. He was used to long cuddles and games outside until all these frightening events occurred in his life. Maybe he is just feeling kind of neglected. I never really thought of that. I went outside today to see him and he was fine. But he is still a little wary with strangers. BWT your hen sounds adorable, Gimmie birdies.

 

[azygous]

Almost all my chickens are hug-a-holics. Except for the Wyandottes, and they like jumping onto my lap as long as I don't try to touch them. Even my big lug rooster loves to be hugged. All I have to do is get down on my knees to rake poop from under the coop, and I have five or six hens crowding in for a group hug. The rooster adores getting sandwiched in the middle of a bunch of hens in a group hug. They close their eyes in contentment and don't want to break it up when I need to get back to doing chores. They will all freeze in place like a bunch of racked pool balls until they notice I'm using my arms for something else.

That was the most awesome thing I discovered about chickens when I first got some. They're among the most affectionate animals out there.

 

[Muffin14143]

Aww, cute. My hens are the same way! Guy used to be, but I'm sure he will be again soon.

 

[Muffin14143]

Ugh, Guy has become mean and nasty again! He attacked my three times today and drew blood. I am afraid to change the water. I will have to wear gloves when I go out. The other scary thing is that when he attacks me, its at eye level, because my coop is raised up from the ground, so when he lunges at me, its at my face. Any suggestions? I'm worried about him, and afraid of hurting myself or him. I love him, and I can't tolerate this behavior. I have never had a mean rooster before, so I don't really know what to do.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I have never been afraid or timid around a rooster. I would pick them up if they got close, if it was mating a hen infront of me I would go take him off her and carry him around. sometimes if he was mating I would throw an empty milk jug his direction that had rocks and made noise inside. Most roos give me may space though. hens that would peck at me for taking their eggs I just let them peck but still take their egg and didn't hesitate. I am not under any chicken. I am the head hen in charge!

 

[Muffin14143]

Do you think trimming his spurs would help? He lives in a very safe aviary, and his spurs aren't needed to protect him or his hens.

 

[azygous]

Sorry to hear Guy is acting up again. Trimming his spurs won't affect how he behaves, but it might protect you. They can be twisted off with pliers. It's not hard at all to do. Twist gently back and forth until they loosen, then lift the cap off the nub. Put vaseline on the wet nub, and it will dry and harden in 24 hours.

But you need to go back to the careful handling you did after the big storm left him frightened and upset. It's spring and roosters are under the influence of surging hormones. It's like PMS for roos. He'll be easily upset over anything. If you make a sudden move toward a hen, he's liable to fly at you, thinking he has to protect the hen.

It's early in the season. You don't need to let this get out of hand. Go slow, be precise, no sudden movements, no loud noise, show no fear, and be firm and consistent.

 

[nok13]

the problem is that u love him. he doesnt love you. he is a rooster. he may be attched to you but that is different then love as we humans think of it. as a matter of fact its not even the same love among all cultures. in some cultures, being provided for and taken care of is equivalent of love. so stop loving him and start treating him as a rooster. either get him in line or get rid of him. he is only doing what roosters do. it is not against you and he wouldnt care if u loved hinm or not. in the end he will be soup if u dont take steps. u are afraid of him, which is the main problem. you have to convince yourself that you a a better rooster then him. imagine that u have feathers and a tail and a comb and say cockadodeldooo... then stut in the coop, and give him a rooster rival's greeting; the equivalent of a chest bump or wing slap... its all in your head

thats why many of us, even small petite females , can work with large animals. its in the head not the body. same as littel dog syndrome, or napolean syndrome.

;your going in their with gloves?!! take off your gloves, get a big broom, and use it!!!. its not being cruel, its being a better rooster to save his life before being served on friday night.

 

[Muffin14143]

the problem is that u love him. he doesnt love you. he is a rooster. he may be attched to you but that is different then love as we humans think of it. as a matter of fact its not even the same love among all cultures. in some cultures, being provided for and taken care of is equivalent of love. so stop loving him and start treating him as a rooster. either get him in line or get rid of him. he is only doing what roosters do. it is not against you and he wouldnt care if u loved hinm or not. in the end he will be soup if u dont take steps. u are afraid of him, which is the main problem. you have to convince yourself that you a a better rooster then him. imagine that u have feathers and a tail and a comb and say cockadodeldooo... then stut in the coop, and give him a rooster rival's greeting; the equivalent of a chest bump or wing slap... its all in your head

thats why many of us, even small petite females , can work with large animals. its in the head not the body. same as littel dog syndrome, or napolean syndrome.

;your going in their with gloves?!! take off your gloves, get a big broom, and use it!!!. its not being cruel, its being a better rooster to save his life before being served on friday night.

Yes, l will try treating him a little more like a rooster, but please take this into account. Never, under any circumstances, is Guy going to be sold or killed. I took this animal into my home, and I will do what needs to be done to help him. I adopted him from an animal shelter, and I am bound to him for life. Even if I wasn't, I would NEVER "serve him on friday night". He is a much loved pet, and killing him would be like killing my dog. I understand that many of us on BYC may have different methods when dealing with an aggressive rooster, but "disposing" of him is not an option.

 

[PSJ]

the problem is that u love him. he doesnt love you. he is a rooster. he may be attched to you but that is different then love as we humans think of it. as a matter of fact its not even the same love among all cultures. in some cultures, being provided for and taken care of is equivalent of love. so stop loving him and start treating him as a rooster. either get him in line or get rid of him. he is only doing what roosters do. it is not against you and he wouldnt care if u loved hinm or not. in the end he will be soup if u dont take steps. u are afraid of him, which is the main problem. you have to convince yourself that you a a better rooster then him. imagine that u have feathers and a tail and a comb and say cockadodeldooo... then stut in the coop, and give him a rooster rival's greeting; the equivalent of a chest bump or wing slap... its all in your head

thats why many of us, even small petite females , can work with large animals. its in the head not the body. same as littel dog syndrome, or napolean syndrome.

;your going in their with gloves?!! take off your gloves, get a big broom, and use it!!!. its not being cruel, its being a better rooster to save his life before being served on friday night.

X 2!!