Question about roosters...

[chefchick]

I have a young roo, not quite 6 months old. Yesterday, I took a treat of stale bread to my flock, and the roo attacked... I mean feathers on his neck up, wing feathers beating, squawking and claws out attacked the bread bag! He didn't do anything to me, just the bag, and was fine again when I threw the bag away from the run. It happend to have a lot of orange color on the bag. Then, last night, I went to lock them in for the night and was doing my usual pet everyone on their perch (yeah...I do that) her pecked my shoulder really hard and stood up like he was gonna get me this time. I was wearing a red shirt... My question is... Are roos agitated by bright color slike that, or do I have a problem on my hands? I really like him otherwise, but will not keep a mean roo if he's going to make a habit out of this...

 

[thebanthams]

Depending on what kind of rooster he is ! He was scared of the bread bag!. Or just trying to protect his fellows. I dont know about colors, but they do notice they react to bright colors. When you walk around him, NO food, see how he react. If hes attacking you, you have a problem !!

 

[Stewzoo]

I wear Crocs in the summer time out to the coop for ease of cleaning....I have a Roo that cannot tolerate Crocs in his coop. Any other shoe/boot is fine. Guess he has a flair for fashion. Funny little birds.

If your Roo continues to attack....he is doing what he is "supposed" to do. But if he were mine....he would go. So many nice roos that need homes. No need for an attack one.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Chickens can certainly see color, and it isn't unusual for a roo to attack something that looks weird to him and brought into his space. Nighttime chickens on a roost have no other defense that to peck at what bothers them, they will do that in their sleep, or if another chicken tries to invade their spot, they don't see well at night. Make sure you talk before touching, they can hear and maybe will recognise it's you, not a predator touching them. After a month or two, I don't handle my roos unless needed, they don't like it I think. None of them like to be bothered once roosting. Give him some time...if he starts putting hackles up and head down at you...best find a different roos. My chickens don't care for me shining the flashlight on them at closing time either, but too bad, I do a head count.

 

[chefchick]

Thanks for the responses. I really do think it was the color of the bag... he didn't go after ME just the bag of rolls! And it was nighttime when he pecked me in the red shirt...and they were already sleeping. He's been his usual sweet self the past two days...but I will be watching for more bad behavior, that's for sure!