Picking up Rooster inside large cage

[suzbo]

We have to give our rooster medication twice a day. Because we need to go inside the cage that part of the process is difficult because the rooster goes into a panic. Once he catches him I am able to pill him with ease but it is the catching part in the cage that is difficult. Should we first put a towel over the rooster?

 

[azygous]

Dealing with a frightened flighty rooster is a challenge. If you are abrupt and use force, even throwing a towel over him, it can escalate the fear he feels. The objective is to calm his fear before handling.

Understand that a good rooster shows respect by avoiding you. He does this because he sees you as far superior and dominant. Countering this sets up such a cognitive dissonance that some roosters have a dramatic melt down. Psychology is everything when dealing with roosters.

Approach him as you would a frightened child. Before reaching in, talking softly and reassure him. Then extend your hand toward him, talking softly. He will withdraw. Keep talking softly and extend the other hand, but do not touch him.

When you notice he is starting to relax, slowly extend one hand to touch him on the breast. Wait until he accepts that. Then reach the other hand in and touch his wing. If he is calm, extend your other hand to touch his other wing, then gradually get a firm hold of him and walk him toward you out of his crate. Making "shhing" sounds calms most chickens. Do this if he begins to get agitated.

Do what you need to do, avoiding any unnecessary handling, especially cuddling, and then release him back to his crate.

 

[suzbo]

I can't thank you enough for this information. I will let you know how it goes this evening when we have to give him his evening meds.

 

[suzbo]

We did as you suggested and did not use a towel but he is always terribly upset. A number of times when my husband has sat down on the floor talking softly to Whitie before he opens the cage Whitie comes at him like a whirlwind. Today he just hid in the corner of the crate. We get the meds in twice a day and he is clearly getting better because his crow is coming back full force but I don't know why they don't have medicine I can just put in his water or foot. This is so upsetting.

 

[azygous]

What med are you using and what is it you're treating? Maybe we can come up with a more convenient alternative.

 

[suzbo]

I want to thank everyone for their help in caring for our rooster Whitie.
We continue to give him his medication twice a day. He is in the sun-room (heater is on now).
He is in a very large dog kennel with a carrier case attach for lovely sleeping "room." Each morning and afternoon the hubby and I open the large cage door and let Whitie out.
Tim grabs him by the top wings (we were instructed by the vet ) open his mouth and I gently place the pills down his throat. We quickly (no cuddling or anything) place him back in his large crate and he always seems fine and he then gets some treats and gets left alone in the quiet sun-room. I forgot we close the door to his sleeping room so that he can't run into the sleeping room when we want him out of the cage. It is a 2 person job that is for sure. The big change came when Tim decided to let Whitie walk out of the crate and then grab him instead of reaching in the cage to grab him. Tomorrow we make the trip up to upstate NY to his forever home - thank you everyone for your help and support.

(the meds: Amoxicillin and Rimadyl

 

[suzbo]

One more thing - I saw some good YouTube videos that showed the proper way to gently place the pills down the throat.

 

[suzbo]

One more update. The wonderful person who took Whitie in let me know how he gives pills. (he offered to give Whitie his pills the last week - what a God send) he takes Whitie and turns him on his side with his wings held close to his chest. In this way he cannot push off or fight with his feet and instead of holding his wings up he is wrapped like a mummy. He told me that Whitie still looked at him like a monster but it was much less stressful for Whitie to be held in this way. By the way Whitie is doing well and we plan to drive up sometime in the spring.