Roo Attack... Solution on page 4!!

[Godsgrl]

Quote:
I disagree. I think this antagonizes them. The rooster is attacking because he either sees you as a threat or competition. I think a lot could be learned from other animal training techniques. For instance, ignoring bad behavior and reinforcing good behavior. Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor is a great book on this subject. When my rooster first went at me I did boot him - and held a food container in front of him. It antagonized him and he kept attacking until he was so tired he was gasping for air. Then I tried the other technique - ignoring his attack. We are totally cool now because I am not a threat, and I don't act like another rooster (fight) nor submit. I can literally go in there now and pick him up, walk by him and go about my business with no bad interaction.

I don't agree, muell. I think if you ignore a rooster's attack, then he still sees you as a lower on the pecking order, and that is dangerous. Pryor's training works on dogs, but I wouldn't try it on a rooster. They need to know their place, they are extremely dangerous.

 

[lngrid]

I haven't posted in this thread yet, but I've been concerned about you after I saw the pic of your scratch. It came so close to your eye! I'll be praying for your eye and the rest of you. Thank goodness it didn't happen to your little ones!

 

[Keri78]

I have four roos and they are all real sweet with the exception of my one white banty frizzle roo man "Fluffy" who honestly has been cursed with just waaay too much testosterome!!!(sorry for spelling!) Anyway, Fluff daily needs a reminder that I'm the boss and he's not when I'm around. This reminder comes in the form of my boot on his chickie bottom EVERY DAY!!!! As soon as I turn them out in the morning to free range he will usually test me or just go up to one of the hens and try to dominate her which I also don;t allow to happen when I'm in the yard.(got that tip from here!) We are having issues with my four yr. old son who is afraid of Fluff but learning quickly how to keep enough space from him and also how to give him the boot or grab a leaf rake and fend him off. Fluff has totally dominated my out of control cockapoo(10lbs) she is also afraid to go in the side yard now and when he sees her he will chase her(like he will try to do me & my son too) and jump on her and peck and kick her. Poor pup! Anyway, we are dealing with Fluff(against my Husbands wishes) b/c I love him and his little punk self and I have them in my side yard which is totally seperate from my back yard which is fenced in where the kids play. I also only let my son or dog in the side yard when I'm there with them. So far no biggy but I am considering keeping my roos in their own little coops seperated from the hens and only putting the hens in with them when we want fertilized eggs. Maybe this could be an option for your boy...this is probably what his fate would be anywhere else that you would rehome him too. Not sure about this yet for us...I kinda feel bad for my good roo boys that enjoy being with the girls and really do behave themselves well. They will even come right up to us and eat from our hands ...I never allow Fluff to do this b/c I want him to keep his respective space from me and so far he does and will not challenge me once he gets reminded...he'll run off and mind his business. He is also a banty so it's not as intimidating to a child as a full size roo can be. Well, that's all of my 2 cents. Hope it helps.

Keri

 

[magentamomma]

I am sorry to be harsh here but if you or someone you know don't put that roo down you are being negligent. If a child was hurt YOU not the rooster would be at fault since you now know what he is capable of. It could become a legal liability, even if you aren't concerned with the moral ramifications. There really are good roos out there and you could start again.

 

[PatS]

My roo challenged a friend last week, and a couple of days later challenged the UPS guy. When I got between "Joe" and the UPs guy, he scratched my leg with his talons. I kicked him aside and every day since have challenged him and sent him running (he is giving me a wide berth now). I also ordered a killing cone. I figure he has had his one chance. As much as I love him and as good a job he does watching out for the hens, I can't have a chicken who will harm people.

I hope he behaves, but if he doesn't I'm prepared to have him for dinner. I wish he were sweeter, but I guess he is one who can't be treated as a cherished pet. Thank goodness the hens are all sweethearts.

 

[Chew593]

Quote:
See post 38....no need to be harsh at all... this rooster is on his way to feed a family of 6...

 

[Nhbluebird]

I had two roos, one White Rock and one RIR. The RIR got nasty and had to go. Went after my nephew. Several male friends and family members offered to put him down, but it had to be me. I felt that I needed to do the deed myself as they are my birds. I don't know that I can convey how I felt, it was actually kind of a spiritual thing. The RIR became dinner. The White Rock has been very calm and is doing well taking care of the girls. I have many neices and nephews that come to visit, don't need to keep a nasty roo.

 

[nursemeh]

I've been following this thread daily. My concern is my 5 month old RIR Roo, who is just beginning to show signs of aggressive behavior. After weeks of being a fairly mature Roo and being just as friendly as the hens. I am concerned about how to dispatch him. I mean the just being able to do it part. I know there are good resources on BYC for doing the deed technically speaking.

It's so sad...he's just doing what comes naturally. It's such a shame. Seeing the picture of your face, with that gash has really woken me up to the potential problem. As a newbie to chickens I dont think I "got it" how agresively they can attack. My daughter collects the eggs.

ANyway, thanks for all the helpful comments on Roo Safety precautions and the need to do be safe about protection from attacks.


Mary

 

[muell112]

Quote:
I disagree. I think this antagonizes them. The rooster is attacking because he either sees you as a threat or competition. I think a lot could be learned from other animal training techniques. For instance, ignoring bad behavior and reinforcing good behavior. Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor is a great book on this subject. When my rooster first went at me I did boot him - and held a food container in front of him. It antagonized him and he kept attacking until he was so tired he was gasping for air. Then I tried the other technique - ignoring his attack. We are totally cool now because I am not a threat, and I don't act like another rooster (fight) nor submit. I can literally go in there now and pick him up, walk by him and go about my business with no bad interaction.

I don't agree, muell. I think if you ignore a rooster's attack, then he still sees you as a lower on the pecking order, and that is dangerous. Pryor's training works on dogs, but I wouldn't try it on a rooster. They need to know their place, they are extremely dangerous.

The also use her technique on dolphins and other marine mammals, which can also be aggressive. I'm just sayin' it worked for me and since I've done it I haven't had a problem with my problem rooster. I think it basically established a working relationship between us - i.e. that I am not going to bother him and him bothering me isn't going to accomplish anything.

 

[gsim]

I do not have any roos. Do not want the noise even tho we do live on 15 acres. Still close enough to bug neighbors on weekends when they are out and about plus we only want eggs, not chicks. Let the hatchery do that work for what, $2/chick? Still, I wonder if roos like Godzilla are really good for a large place with a flock that free-ranges and NO SMALL KIDS? Maybe a gentlemanly roo is not as good for taking care of free-ranging hens as one with a bad temper? No experience in that myself, but what do you others think about that idea?