Rooster behavior

[One Chick Two]

Ok, last night I was walking to the coop (the birds were enjoying free range time) and usually this is when the rooster comes after me...but it's also because it's usually when I hand out treats...I have stopped that as they (hens & rooster) seemed to be getting food aggressive. Anyway it was just the rooster who was there, he acted like if I gave him a chance he would try to jump at me, usually when I have my back to him but I picked him right up and he was fine didn't even try to peck at me. I held him for while tried to get him to rest his head which he didn't do but his legs were relaxed and he wasn't fighting me. How long should I hold him for? I put him down slowly and let him walk away. I did this twice yesterday and no attacks. But then again I didn't do the other behavior which was leading to the attacks as well. I also noticed him coming toward me a few times while I was filling waters/food etc. but I stayed firm in my position or started walking toward him and he was fine!
So should I continue to pick him up a few times every day?

So happy to hear that you stood your ground, and he submitted (as he very well should.). That is very excellent news. And you assessed his behavior well! You are noticing things that trigger responses. Your calmness in handling him made him secure, not anxious. Why would he need to be tense or fight when he's content and not threatened?

Walking away from you is correct behavior. A sign of a rooster in a more "balanced" frame of mind. If you had set him down, and he worked around you doing a wing dance, or offered you fake tidbits I would be concerned- he would be acting like he's above you in the pecking order, and you have to be their acknowledged leader. That does not seem the case. Always watch and assess though.

Usually when I am one on one socializing any one bird, I don't usually like to offer them treats when with me. Our birds just get too excited and worked up. And they have to be very calm when getting one on one attention. Carefully gage his reactions and note his behaviors (as you've been doing) for changes, but at least once a day for holding has worked for us. Some ask to be picked up more by tugging pantlegs. Try again with the hug when he seems calm, and in a good frame of mind. Eventually, if he is in a good place, he should respond positively. Don't fight him, but don't easily give up just from a bit of fussing, either. It's fighting behaviors and attacking behaviors that aren't acceptable. Just be safe.

We had sold one full grown rooster (purchased as a previously unsocialized adult six months beforehand) and, I was showing to the new owner how this nice rooster gave chicken hugs. She laughed delightedly when we did a hug, and she said, "Oh my gosh, he just hugged you and closed his eyes!" lol And yes, he does still hug their family.

P.S. You can try this to friendly/calm/docile hens as well.

 

[One Chick Two]

I am going to try the hug technique. Don't know how Bill will toe rate it because its a big chase to catch him. He's not really mean he's just showing his dominance. I was going in the pen with a stick but I didn't like poking at him to move him back. I feel abusive doing that so I took our lawn rake and cut the handle down a bit and I can now gently push him away without all the drama. Plus I can rake dirt in the pen too. He seems to respect the rake, he stopped charging me.

Please be careful!
You may have to go slow, and build trust between you for awhile. Bill is used to being defensive and tense. Always cover up well. Trim claws, spurs, but try not to act afraid. You will have to really work very calmly and confidently, and CONSISTENTLY. He will likely test you, as you have made it clear in the past he can attempt to intimidate you.

Be safe. Watch, monitor and assess him carefully. Let us know how things progress.

 

[chynasparks]

Thanks for the advice. I will do as you suggested. Usually if I sit in the pen with treats he watches the girls eat and he will take a bite or 2 so he isn't always tense. But you called it, he's defensive and tense. I'd like to turn that around.

 

[centrarchid]

Being calm is good but also make an effort to not to be erratic or not recoil from a rooster regardless of what he does. Nor do I do anything thing to threaten him which can sometimes simply be an issue of perception.

 

[SunshineSusie]

So I had to look up "conspecific.' How do I go about making him NOT a man-fighter? Your input is much appreciated! I'd hate to coddle him and find out I turned him into more of a pot of soup. I want to keep him and watch him grow. I also want to walk thru my yard without a broom.

 

[centrarchid]

So I had to look up "conspecific.' How do I go about making him NOT a man-fighter? Your input is much appreciated! I'd hate to coddle him and find out I turned him into more of a pot of soup. I want to keep him and watch him grow. I also want to walk thru my yard without a broom.

The following I was setting up in another thread to provide insight to your type of problem. This guy I actually set out to make a man-fighter and likely employed intentionally very similar methods that many folks do unintentionally. Below is rooster that has become a man-fighter. He is a 14 month old American Dominique. The behavior started off as aggressiveness directed at feed bucket. I promoted more aggression first by simply giving him feed when he attacked front of pen trying to get at scoop. Then I backed away when he pushed attacked giving him the impression I was afraid of him. This process was maintained for about a week. Then I released him from pen and he launched a sustained attack at my feet and lower legs. Initially he preferred to some at me from behind but he quickly got to point where he would launch a frontal attack. The attacks unpleasant for me but likely are not without stress on him as well.

[VIDEO] [/VIDEO] This weekend I will begin process to break him of the habit.

 

[SunshineSusie]

I'm confused...why make him a fighter and then tame him? Why make him a fighter at all?

Either way, I'd like a detailed post as to how you went about training him.

 

[centrarchid]

I'm confused...why make him a fighter and then tame him? Why make him a fighter at all?

Either way, I'd like a detailed post as to how you went about training him.

Purpose of this effort is to demonstrate first, your behavior can actually promote the man-fighting / human aggressiveness and secondly, you can adjust your behavior to promote a reduction and even stoppage of the behavior. I have lots of roosters so diversion of this one is not a major loss. He is the only one representing 20 of his kind that is even the least bit sassy. In the end my intent is to provide people with an alternative to the "crock pot training regimen mentality" where they re-evaluate their approach to more effectively prevent such problems from occurring in the first place. A genetic (nature) component is operating but the husbandry (nurture) part is also at play and can go a long ways towards preventing such problems from arising or over ride genetic force that otherwise works to prevent such aggression..


The best detail will be provided when others post their videos showing their interactions. We than then pick apart how the keeper promotes the aggression. You will soon see more than one way to make a monster and that mentality likely varies according to the method of making it.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

Instead of causing the aggression just to try to reverse it why don't you just take in roosters that are already aggressive and try to "fix" them?

 

[centrarchid]

Instead of causing the aggression just to try to reverse it why don't you just take in roosters that are already aggressive and try to "fix" them? 

That part will have to be done by others unless aggressive birds can be found locally for me. I do not think my birds all that different so observations should be valid for others.