Rooster Coddling

[Hobbits Mommie]

They say a bottle raised bull calf is the most dangerous kind. When they reach 1,800+ lbs and the testosterone is flowing full force, you don't want to be seen as a herd mate, sexual competitor or even an equal. The familiarity and lack of fear is a dangerous mix. A rooster may only weigh 8+ lbs but it's the same concept. They don't reason well but if they see you as a foreign and dominant species rather than a peer or friend who has catered and been submissive to them in the past they are more likely to ignore you when it's time to mate, compete and fight for dominance in the flock.

Oh Lord, I'm gonna be in so much trouble :-(

 

[Shadrach]

Heard on here that many people go against petting and holding your roosters. Is there any specific reason to this? The two roosters I raised where always seemingly affectionate, crawling into my lap to fall asleep as well as always wanting to be held. Was I misreading these behaviors as affection?

No, you're not misreading your rooster. He may stay the perfect gentleman.
The point that often gets overlooked is roosters aren't meant to be like that. They're supposed to be aggresive. If your rooster is a pet and you don't want him to look after any hens, then sweet and cuddly may be fine.
When I was a boy I got told never to take the behaviour of an animal for granted.
It's been very good advice over the years.

 

[LoveMyChickenBabies]

I have a rooster that every time I go outside he tries to flog me and my mom and sometimes even my father. However he never tries to flog my brother because he is the one who feeds him. When he puffs up at me and charges, I wait till he gets close and then I kick him. After 2-5 kicks aimed at his chest/head, he usually will stop and show submissive signs. But of course the very next day he will try the same stunt again. He was actually the sweetest little chick we've ever had and he would CLIMB up into your hand and peep at you until you picked him up and cuddled him. He is the best gosh darn rooster ever though so we can't get rid of him. That's just my experience. I don't know about everyone else but if I were you I might stop cuddling with him.

 

[Gxspenst]

No, you're not misreading your rooster. He may stay the perfect gentleman.
The point that often gets overlooked is roosters aren't meant to be like that. They're supposed to be aggresive. If your rooster is a pet and you don't want him to look after any hens, then sweet and cuddly may be fine.
When I was a boy I got told never to take the behaviour of an animal for granted.
It's been very good advice over the years.

He is always going to stay in a bachelor flock due to his bad experiences with being introduced to hens, he’s absolutely terrified of them now. I’ve been making sure to watch his behavior and he’s always been quite a gentleman. To an earlier question, he’s two years old.

 

[Ms Biddy]

Oh Lord, I'm gonna be in so much trouble :-(

Are you raising a calf? If so, don't let it head butt you or push you around. Teach it to respect your space. I've been head butted by a full grown cow before. She lifted me off the ground and sent me flying like I was light as air. Thankfully she was tied and I landed on my feet.

When he puffs up at me and charges, I wait till he gets close and then I kick him. After 2-5 kicks aimed at his chest/head, he usually will stop and show submissive signs. But of course the very next day he will try the same stunt again. He was actually the sweetest little chick we've ever had and he would CLIMB up into your hand and peep at you until you picked him up and cuddled him. He is the best gosh darn rooster ever though so we can't get rid of him.

A baby chick that is brave enough to run up to a giant (you) is not being "sweet" it is being dominant. Your rooster learned that this is acceptable behavior and is doing the more mature version of it now. It must be confusing to him since he was rewarded for it as a baby. Kicking him will encourage him to fight harder or attack you from behind. It also causes deep bruising, internal damage and can break his bones. What it won't do is teach him to stop since roosters aren't known for their ability to reason.

 

[Hobbits Mommie]

Are you raising a calf? If so, don't let it head butt you or push you around. Teach it to respect your space. I've been head butted by a full grown cow before. She lifted me off the ground and sent me flying like I was light as air. Thankfully she was tied and I landed on my feet.



A baby chick that is brave enough to run up to a giant (you) is not being "sweet" it is being dominant. Your rooster learned that this is acceptable behavior and is doing the more mature version of it now. It must be confusing to him since he was rewarded for it as a baby. Kicking him will encourage him to fight harder or attack you from behind. It also causes deep bruising, internal damage and can break his bones. What it won't do is teach him to stop since roosters aren't known for their ability to reason.

No, I was "gifted" 22 chicks, and 2 turklings. I was told to handle each one daily so that they would be "tame". I have one that actually wants to be handled and loves to have his chest rubbed. I have one though that attacks as soon as I enter the coop. Since they all look alike, it's hard after the fact to determine which one it is. He's drawn blood now. They're only 3 months old.

 

[Hobbits Mommie]

No, I was "gifted" 22 chicks, and 2 turklings. I was told to handle each one daily so that they would be "tame". I have one that actually wants to be handled and loves to have his chest rubbed. I have one though that attacks as soon as I enter the coop. Since they all look alike, it's hard after the fact to determine which one it is. He's drawn blood now. They're only 3 months old.

I also cannot be certain as to which ones are hens, and which ones are roosters. Not completely anyway.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Many people misread confidence as friendliness... in a lot of species.

At 2 years old, I would't sweat it. Roosters are different creatures than cockerels... and each is an individual... YES aggression breeds forward.

Kicking at a cockerel or rooster... JUST escalates the behavior. The human has to be more reasoning than they are... I would NOT keep ANY animals that attacked ANY family member, on an ongoing basis... period. It isn't funny even if they are bantam... Just like it isn't funny if a Chihuahua or Dachshund bites. Dad could possibly train it out by changing HIS reaction or actions... if he was interested.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Since they all look alike, it's hard after the fact to determine which one it is. He's drawn blood now. They're only 3 months old.

Post pics... cockerels should be easy to pick out at 3 months old...

That whole handling thing is crud... it will teach them that you handle them whether they like it or not. And that you aren't hurting them. But tameness and desire for human interaction is very individual... Maybe it will work better for certain species.

I might use a bottle of nail polish (or even house paint , whatever I can get my hands on ) and get a nice mark on the head or shoulder of my attacker so I COULD identify them! And soon thereafter invite to dinner.

Or different color polish placed on each after roost so they can easily be distinguished... ankle ties can be hard to discern color when it's dark or things are happening fast. Spit balling ideas... I know how hard it can be to tell some apart...

 

[Hobbits Mommie]

Post pics... cockerels should be easy to pick out at 3 months old...

That whole handling thing is crud... it will teach them that you handle them whether they like it or not. And that you aren't hurting them. But tameness and desire for human interaction is very individual... Maybe it will work better for certain species.

I might use a bottle of nail polish (or even house paint , whatever I can get my hands on ) and get a nice mark on the head or shoulder of my attacker so I COULD identify them! And soon thereafter invite to dinner.

Or different color polish placed on each after roost so they can easily be distinguished... ankle ties can be hard to discern color when it's dark or things are happening fast. Spit balling ideas... I know how hard it can be to tell some apart...

I don't know how I get myself into these things. Like most people, I had this idea that I'd buy the land, plant the seeds, hatch the chicks and all would be great! I think I'm way too much of a worrier and too tender hearted for this. I should have been a lot more educated on the subject, and purchased sexed chickens. I think I have about 15 roos in the group.