Ah, yes, rooster woes...
So we don't have chickens, but our neighbors do and any number between 5 and 12 will visit us during the day. I think they like it because we have lots of trees, shade, bugs, and dirt patches to roll in. The hens are super sweet and fun to have around.
They lost some from predation and added a few new hens and a roo. They were young, the roo hadn't totally developed a comb yet and his tail feathers were pulled, just a pink butt. I thought whoever was selling sold him as a hen, but now I think they bought the roo to protect the flock. At first the older original hens would chase him around. But he's matured and got the hormones and as far as his flock, he seems to be a very good roo. Always alert, will break up hen fights fairly, but he started getting aggressive to my husband and I. Their hang out is next to where our horses live, so we're down there feeding and such at least 3 times a day.
So roo started stalking me as I walked back up toward the house, and pretend pecking at the ground when I'd turn around. Then if I didn't look in time he'd fling himself at my rubber boots (which I started wearing because of his behavior - definitely not my choice of summer footwear). He looks mature. Feathers are growing back in, stands tall, very impressive comb. I've squirted water, tried squeaking a rubber toy at him, both worked to some degree. The best thing has been to turn around and walk backwards up the hill, eyes on him the whole time. But then he's frontal attacked, still just at foot level, but gahhh. I've tried moving him backwards by walking toward him (basically I only know how to deal with horse problems), and he did the fluffed ruff.
Yesterday he completely left his flock to stalk me past my truck and into part of the yard he doesn't go in.
Sorry for the book. Any suggestions? And, again, not my bird so stew pot/culling isn't helpful.
Oh, I did take care of putting them back in their barn 2 nights while his people were gone and didn't note the same stalky aggression on their side of the fence.
Someone else said it feels like they're stalking you to rob you, that was spot on.
I will say I'd rather figure a way to handle things than have the hens not be able to free range.
TIA!
So we don't have chickens, but our neighbors do and any number between 5 and 12 will visit us during the day. I think they like it because we have lots of trees, shade, bugs, and dirt patches to roll in. The hens are super sweet and fun to have around.
They lost some from predation and added a few new hens and a roo. They were young, the roo hadn't totally developed a comb yet and his tail feathers were pulled, just a pink butt. I thought whoever was selling sold him as a hen, but now I think they bought the roo to protect the flock. At first the older original hens would chase him around. But he's matured and got the hormones and as far as his flock, he seems to be a very good roo. Always alert, will break up hen fights fairly, but he started getting aggressive to my husband and I. Their hang out is next to where our horses live, so we're down there feeding and such at least 3 times a day.
So roo started stalking me as I walked back up toward the house, and pretend pecking at the ground when I'd turn around. Then if I didn't look in time he'd fling himself at my rubber boots (which I started wearing because of his behavior - definitely not my choice of summer footwear). He looks mature. Feathers are growing back in, stands tall, very impressive comb. I've squirted water, tried squeaking a rubber toy at him, both worked to some degree. The best thing has been to turn around and walk backwards up the hill, eyes on him the whole time. But then he's frontal attacked, still just at foot level, but gahhh. I've tried moving him backwards by walking toward him (basically I only know how to deal with horse problems), and he did the fluffed ruff.
Yesterday he completely left his flock to stalk me past my truck and into part of the yard he doesn't go in.
Sorry for the book. Any suggestions? And, again, not my bird so stew pot/culling isn't helpful.
Oh, I did take care of putting them back in their barn 2 nights while his people were gone and didn't note the same stalky aggression on their side of the fence.
Someone else said it feels like they're stalking you to rob you, that was spot on.
I will say I'd rather figure a way to handle things than have the hens not be able to free range.
TIA!