One for the ladies… picking up your rooster!?

[LgtSussexChook]

Ordinarily my partner picks up our 7 month old Light Sussex rooster Vincent (which we have been doing lots over the past week to scrub his feet as he has scaly leg mites).
Vincent has been exhibiting some aggression towards me (pecking my hand once, pecking my feet, he does his “dance” every time I open up their door in the morning now – which I think perhaps he is just getting a bit of a fright when I open it).

So last night I decided that I should pick him up and my partner should scrub his feet (to show him that I’m the bigger rooster!).
I found it a real struggle to pick him up, as he is quite big! Although I know he hasn’t fully grown yet either!

It was really hard just to get my small girlish hands around him - it doesn’t help that he is a wriggler. It took a LOT of attempts to get him. In the end my better half had to pick him up and put him under my arm (I still found it difficult to hold him there as he was so big and awkward).

Ladies.. what do you find is the best way to pick up your rooster?

 

[sourland]

The Princess offered to buy me a drink when she picked me up.

That was 49 years, 4 months and 12 days ago, but who's counting?

 

[donrae]

The Princess offered to buy me a drink when she picked me up.

That was 49 years, 4 months and 12 days ago, but who's counting?

to the Princess, for putting up with you for that long

for my honey and I. 20 years this year, you make me feel like such a baby!

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Y'all are just too funny!

When I had a big rooster (only have a little bantam fella now) and had to handle him, I go right for his legs and flip him upside down when I got hold of him. When he calmed, I'd flip him upright and tuck him under my arm like a football, shock usually caused more flapping. When they flap, just hang on! He'll stop eventually! Anyway, I realize holding his feet may not work that well since that's the area you're working on, so maybe you could grip the top of his legs?
When I need something done with a bird, its all me. My husband will help if I absolutely need him too, but he isn't eager to lend a hand with the chickens. They're my thing I guess. So, you just gotta hold onto that sucker! Sometime you may have to just hold their feet and let them throw a temper tantrum and get it all out before they'll give up and be good. Good luck!

 

[NosiphoChooks]

I have quite big hands for a girl so find it quite easy but when my chickens are broody I use a different method. My BO, popcorn is HUGE and I mean HUGE! she had eggs and one must have been under her wing so when I lifted her it dropped and cracked. I felt sooo guilty so I decided to find a new method. Now I slide my hands underneath from behind and get hold of the tops of the legs (thighs) so they cant struggle then lift from underneath and scoop her under my arm so her wings are restrained. Works for me, but takes a while to perfect!