Opposite of Rooster Aggression

[Azhtann]

I have two roosters. Both supposedly silkies, although one of them is regular feathered. I got the regular fellow first. He was raised on a farm with very little human interaction. When I got him, I had some serious issues with weasels and he ended up a lone survivor. Mostly because he was still in the quarantine cage. He has never been friendly with me. No matter how many hours I spent sitting on the ground by the coop, how many treats offered. He sees me approach, and immediately he starts screaming and running around in terror.

Originally, I attributed this to him being alone and having seen the weasel attacks, as well as him having grown up rather feral. But I'm not so sure. As soon as I was sure the weasels had been taken care of, I got him a friend. Supposedly a female silkie. DNA sexed and everything! When I picked this bird up, she was a little standoffish, but not too bad for a bird from a busy parking lot poultry swap. When I got her home, however, I put her next to the rooster to get to know him for a few days, and she started showing the same behavior. I'd look in their general direction, and panic. Screaming, flailing, falling off perches, running around like, well, chickens missing certain anatomy.

I'm not sure about everyone else, but I really enjoy just standing there, watching my chickens do chicken things. That's about half of my enjoyment of having chickens. I have never once had a bird, let alone two who thought that I was the devil after their souls.

I put the two together once quarantine was over, thinking perhaps having a flock mate might help. Safety in numbers, right? Wrong. The behavior seemed to only get worse. They continue to scream and lose their minds when they see me glance their way. Forget looking at them standing next to the cage. They act like I torture them when nobody else is looking!

Fast forward a bit, I got more birds and learned that the original two are both boys. So much for DNA sexing (or seller honesty), right? The actual hens I got could have cared less if I was there, as long as I provided food. I could walk in the cage and they would congregate around my feet. The roosters in the same cage? Still terrified that I'm out to get them.

I've had the roosters since before winter, so it isn't that they don't know me yet. Is there anything I can do to try to get them over their terror? They act similar with my partner, only not as terrified.

 

[Evadig]

I had a rooster that was terrified of me, and he's still skittish. I just would sit by the cage for minutes at a time and talk to him. That helped a little bit. Then he hurt his beak and had to be handled frequently, and that showed him I'm not a threat. He doesn't mind me near him now (I know that doesn't really help you, but might offer some hope).
I did notice that he calmed down considerably when he got a bigger run and I gave him two hens. Before that he was a nervous wreck all the time, not just when i was there. I hope that helps a bit and someone with more experience will be along to offer more advice!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The chicks I raise seem less inclined to panic. Those raised by a broody tend to be more flighty and panic when I approach. I don't handle any of them.

 

[fluffycrow]

I'd look in their general direction, and panic. Screaming, flailing, falling off perches, running around

Most of my birds are not friendly at all, and are not handled unless a health problem presents itself, and they need to be treated for it. I have broody-raised birds that have never been touched by a human in their lives. Despite all the above, I have not personally experienced, or heard of a situation quite like the one you're describing.

The behaviour you're referring to, simply because you took a few steps towards them seems very extreme, to be honest

 

[LaFleche]

They might have had their first human interaction when getting caught to be sold, which can leave a bird in fear of human approach. Even more so when being trapped in a cage in new surroundings.

I would just ignore them, not throwing treats but just letting them drop to the ground out of your hand so as to not spook them any further by wild movements.

Make sure their crests are properly trimmed to allow for free vision, deworm them, check them carefully for lice and mites and add vitamin B-complex to their water to help them relax.

 

[Azhtann]

They might have had their first human interaction when getting caught to be sold, which can leave a bird in fear of human approach. Even more so when being trapped in a cage in new surroundings.

I would just ignore them, not throwing treats but just letting them drop to the ground out of your hand so as to not spook them any further by wild movements.

Make sure their crests are properly trimmed to allow for free vision, deworm them, check them carefully for lice and mites and add vitamin B-complex to their water to help them relax.

I will try that. Although they are not the best quality silkies. Lucky with that, as trimming their crests would be a nightmare.