Roo Attack... Solution on page 4!!

[Chew593]

Quote:
I've heard (read here) of big aggressive roos taking on racoons and such, (I'm skeptical in a non-judgemental sort of way) but I also know a dog wiped out my entire first flock. I just don't think realistically that most roos are much of a match for most predators.

 

[Chew593]

Quote:
Thank you Ingrid! I'm much better today after just 1 day on the antibiotic drops! yay!

 

[Chew593]

Quote:
Don't tell them that. Tell them you got it in a drunken knive brawl at the bar and you don't want to talk about it. Then walk away.

I have a JG roo that I watch closely. When he used to get naughty, I would say, "tell it to the shoe," and boot him. It's kind of funny because now I can go up to him and say it, and he dances around like he is challenging my foot. My best defence is a long PVC pole that I call the Staff of Power. He know that I spank him with it so he will steer clear of anybody holding it.

.... too late tho I already have heard all the "Cockeyed" jokes I can handle

 

[the simple life]

Quote:
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.

Here is the thing, if kids are involved none of this is even an option. The rooster goes. Too many people forget that roosters are not "really" pets, they are livestock and will act as such. Trying to rehabilitate or train any livestock is risky, as is dolphins, lions etc.
sure some people do it but is it still safe? We have all seen that story go bad where the owner or trainer of some supposedly tame animal attacks them.
Alot of these problem roosters are because people handle them too much when they are young, when you do that they don't know their place.
Its also said they will think of you as below them, if you are doing to them what the hens normally do.
Hens will preen and fuss over the roosters, they also know their place. If you do the same you can expect to be challenged when you step over "his" boundries.
If you fawn all over a rooster from the get go then he interpets that behavior as you being beneath him as you are treating him like a king. Then when he acts like king of the roost and puts you in your place everyone wants to know what happened to their little baby who use to snuggle in their sweater or ride on their shoulder.
They need to be raised as you expect them to behave. If you want to be the boss then act like it from the get go, your rooster is their for a reason, he works for you so don't confuse him with hugs and kisses.
Beating them with a stick when they get out of line is not only antagonizing to them but its confusing as well.
Don't send mixed messages.
If you fawn all over your rooster and pick him up you are making him look bad in front of his hens, he is going to turn on you for that in order to show you who is boss.
The roosters that I have now were never coddled, they were cared for but not given tons of attention like the hens and picked up and walked around with.
They are livestock and I am a human being.
I am their boss, their caretaker and they know better than to bite the hand that feeds them.
They know their place and act like gentlemen.

 

[muell112]

Interesting discussion. To each his own I guess - use your best judgment. I think there is something to be said for considering training, if you are willing to put in the time and be consistent - it is one of many options to consider on a case-by-case basis. For example, I find it interesting, I don't have small children, so why not? Regardless, I don't feel there's a problem anymore when I go in the coop - problem solved. I think it's pretty black and white with a rooster - either you're perceived as a threat/competition or you're not. If the rooster doesn't bother me I don't really care what he is thinking, and quite frankly I don't think they have the capacity to be worried if they look bad in front of the hens or not. I have a rooster that is obviously not dominant and he gets chased by the dominant rooster. At the end of the day, he still sits by the hens and is fine. And I don't think it's harmful to acclimate a rooster or hens to non-threatening human interactions like being picked up. They are calm when I come in the coop and it also makes me feel comfortable that I am able to handle each of my birds if necessary. I wouldn't call it coddling. Honestly, I've made a daily routine of checking each chicken, if only for a moment each - you can notice any changes in weight etc. There don't seem to be any ill-effects. To the woman who got attacked by her rooster, I would say 1) make it so you can enter your coop standing up and wear clothing that is protective. 2) you change your set-up. 3) you could rehome this rooster. 4) you can kill the rooster. or 5) you can try and train the rooster and see if it works for you. If not, there are a lot of options to consider and any of them are fine. It is just up to you what kind of resources and time you are willing to put into this bird.

 

[Chickenaddict]

OP I have been in your situation, it took me almost 4 years and many attacks later to finally draw the line and give my roo away. What pushed me over the edge is when I was holding him and he went for my face grabbing my nostril with his beak and ripping several layers of skin off from the inside and out almost slicing my nostril completey in half. If trying to hold him everyday didn't work I hate to say that you should either give him away with full disclosure of the problem or cull him, he will most likely never calm down.

 

[Chew593]

Quote:
Godzilla has been given to a struggling family in my neighborhood that plans on turning him into dinner.

 

[Chickenaddict]

Quote:
Godzilla has been given to a struggling family in my neighborhood that plans on turning him into dinner.

Good deal!

 

[Chew593]

Quote:
Godzilla has been given to a struggling family in my neighborhood that plans on turning him into dinner.

Good deal!

thanks!!

I love living in a neighborhood where it's totally cool to help a neighbor out with a gift of live chicken! Little Rural America.