Potentially raising my first rooster! Advice needed!

[MysteryChicken]

Don't let him hop on your back unless you want him to think of you as a hen he can mount. I'd just stand up whenever he tries to do that and / or push him off you. I don't mind a chicken that wants to hop in my lap, but I don't care to have them on my shoulder or near my face. They sometimes get impulses to peck shiny things like eyes or earrings.

Other behaviors you want to watch out for is at some point as he matures he may "test" you by trying to chase you, herd you, or peck you. Don't ignore those as they'll escalate.

For expressing disapproval, pick literally anything you want just make sure to use consistent body language, voice tone, and cadence. My preference is to stand tall, hands on my hips and elbows out, shake my head and say "no sir!" If he persists I'll then move him out of my personal space gently but firmly with the bottom of my foot. I don't even mind if he takes a peck or two to save his ego as long as he backs off.

One posture to avoid with chickens in general and roosters in particular is leaning forward and staring at them. For one thing, you're putting your eyes in beak-range. For another, you're mimicking the "challenge" posture a rooster takes to start a fight.

You shouldn't have to do anything special when you're going about things like collecting eggs, etc, but do keep an eye on him and watch is body language. If he seems curious or relaxed, it's OK. If he starts getting agitated then have some treats ready in your pocket and try distracting him with that. Or you can simply treat him before you approach the coop and he'll be too busy stuffing his face to worry about what you're doing there.

Another trick to making friends with your rooster as he matures is if you do give treats to your flock on a regular basis, put them out so he gets to them first. He'll usually make his "tidbit" noise to the hens and act like he found this amazing stash for them. You become his buddy that helps him get laid. Otherwise if you hand out treats to the hens first he may interpret your actions as that of a potential rival and you'll have problems later.

Unless it's something dire-looking, I tend to wait until night-time to grab them for health checks / wound care / etc. They don't see well at all in dim light and they get kind of lethargic when the sun is down.

As far as "hand feeding" goes, if you can manage to do that without getting pecked then kudos to you. I have one rooster that eats like a jack-hammer and my alpha rooster is too shy with people to get that close to someone.

Don't let him hop on your back unless you want him to think of you as a hen he can mount.

This has nothing to do with a young cockerel(Chick) behavior. I've had plenty climb on, hop onto me, & turn into gentlemen, & never identified me as a hen, only as their keeper.

If he's physically trying to mount a person, then that's a different story. I've raised many cockerels/roosters over the years, & had very few human aggressive ones. It's linked to genetics not personality.

 

[MysteryChicken]

For the first time in 16 years I am going to give one of my cockerels a chance to stay with my flock. Having never done this before and never had experience with roosters I wanted to ask for advice to, hopefully, raise him to be a gentle and respectful roo. I know there are differing opinions on this but I'd love to hear from those who have experience raising multiple roosters.

My cockerel is currently 9 weeks old and VERY interested in being with me. I was kneeling down while doing some work on the chicken run the other day and he climbed up onto my back. He loves hopping up on my lap or my shoulder whenever he can. I don't think I want this to continue.

• How do I make sure he knows when I don't want him to do something?
• How should I being treating him when I visit the coop?
• How should I approach him for health checks, etc.?
• Is hand-feeding okay?

He is being raised with (and put in his place by) adult hens which I've read helps. Any other tips to increase the chances he'll grow up to be a good boy?

What I do when I don't want doing a certain thing is I push them away gently, or just pick them up, & move them.

How I treat mine when I walk into the coop? I just go in, do what I need to do, then leave. Probably look at the birds while inside before leaving though. Not every day.

Health checks, I do this whenever I feel it's necessary. I just walk over, & pick them up then start examining.

Hand feeding is perfectly fine, & can help Boost your bond with your birds. It's a common practice.

 

[StinkyAcres]

@Mrs. K Thanks! There are no young children around and they have lots of space. But I am ready to cull if he becomes a problem, and that includes being a noise problem. I've never kept a rooster before only because of the crowing. I admit I'm giving this guy a chance because he is currently what I've always wanted in a chicken.

@MysteryChicken Thanks!! I will continue to hand-feed. He is always looking for a treat.

 

[Folly's place]

I like the crowing!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I like the crowing!

I do too! Fortunately I have no near neighbors to complain.

 

[StinkyAcres]

I like the crowing!

I do too! Fortunately I have no near neighbors to complain.

I like QUIET. I'm also a birder who prefers to listen to the wild birds. Roosters crowing, cars driving by, dogs barking, etc. can hinder my ability to identify a bird by sound and can ruin a good bird recording. I will see if I can stand it...

 

[MysteryChicken]

I like the crowing!

X2.

 

[Folly's place]

Dogs barking are a pain, roosters, nice...
Mary