ROO PROBLEM

[speckledhen]

My suggestion with children is make a stew.

Now, that came out all wrong, I think, LOL. My black Ameraucana just suddenly bit my husband one day. He was sweet with me still. We did all the usual things to recondition him. Then one day, he bit me, too. Then he spurred me (still had teenage spurs, though). So, I sold him to another BYCer who knew what he had done; she was used to handling roosters and he was really good for a very long time, then suddenly, he spurred her, too. So, he lost another home. Some will reach a truce with you, some wont. Its worth a try, but roosters are at just the right height to blind a toddler, and that's certainly not worth keeping him around, if you have small children.​

 

[McGoo]

LOL, Yup.... not what I meant.

I actually don't think this is funny though. A mean rooster who attacks from the otherside of a fence is the sign of a real problem. I wouldn't want my children to be near him.

 

[speckledhen]

Quote:
Yep, I agree. Roosters are just as dangerous as a stallion or bull, to quote a friend of mine, but in a smaller package. I'm so glad I have sociable sweet ones. They're still effective in protecting the ladies, though.

 

[pbjmaker]

Did it start as him following you around "grumbling" Mine has been doing this first thing in the morning - he grumbles and mutters and starts running behind me - if I turn around he stops and acts like he wasn't doing anything. I'm starting to get nervous. He does still eat raisins out of my hand in a "leery" sort of way.

 

[gritsar]

My rooster never got to the point of flogging me, but he was getting pretty regular in the biting department, so I nipped it in the bud. I followed rooster-red's advice and other information I found on dealing with a mean roo. It worked like a charm for me. He (Zeus) now know that I'm the boss and treats me with alot of respect. Still eats out of my hand, but with a bit more caution on his part. My other roo Thor, same breed same age, has always accepted me as the alpha and has never given me a bit of trouble.

This is not scientific, but I've noticed a pattern between roosters that are babied big time while small turning into monsters when grown. That's how I was with Zeus, the one that has given me trouble. I paid more attention to him than I did the rest of the flock, thinking I was doing a good thing and he would go up to be a very loving rooster. It backfired. From now on, any rooster I raise will be raised the way Thor was. Fed and cared for, but not given any special treatment. He's a very well-behaved rooster. For his part, Zeus is much better behaved now and he's great with his ladies. He even seeks out my little special needs chicken to offer her buggy treats. I've seen him do it.

 

[crtrlovr]

It took me a while to adjust my thinking (as I was watching our alpha roo put everyone else in their places) as to what was actually normal and what was over the top. There were a few times I needed to step in, but for the most part there was "an understanding" being developed. Once in a while he will still go after another chicken and just run them until they're exhausted or find a safe hiding place. I haven't figured that part out yet; there are 2 that he seems to favor tormenting the most. The others (including 3 other roos) seem to know he's boss and won't challenge him. I am glad he is a very good alpha roo and takes good care of the others. I guess it takes a while, and some close observation, to determine what's genuine aggression, what's normal, what's hormonal teenage angst, and what's just a roo that's challenging another chicken or human, or cat, or whatever to remind them who's top in the pecking order. JMO

 

[jessbrooks2013]

I'm dealing with a similar situation. I've tried swatting, pushing and pecking the roo back but that just seemed to work im up all the more. The only thing that has worked so far is holding him in place. I put both of my hands on his sides like I might when I pick him up and sit there with him for a few seconds. He walked away from me after that giving me more space.

 

[Wynette]

I've found that the meaner you are to them (i.e., hurt them), the meaner they'll be back to you. I was doing research long ago on this, and found a web page that had VERY good information on it - I tried most of what he suggests, and have found that it worked for me:

http://shilala.homestead.com/roosters.html

 

[pbjmaker]

That is an excellent article - may have to print it off now!

 

[Gloria]

OMGosh! I feel so much better now that I read this thread! My "Mr. Roo" has this thing for my grown up son who visits all the time. I figured out it was because he was always in shorts. I guess Mr. Roo didn't like those white legs.

As an experiment, I went out in the yard one day in shorts. He came right at me almost drew blood across the side of my leg. I turned and swatted him upside the head. I was expecting him to jump back, he didn't, and I connected. I felt so bad. Now my son, instead of calling me the chicken lady, he now calls me a chicken beater! Nice to know I'm not the only one. LOL
Thanks for your stories!

Oh, I forgot to say Mr. Roo hasn't tried anything since that day.