Rooster Coddling

[LoveMyChickenBabies]

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.

How do I get him to stop then? He always seems submissive after we beat him at his own game. For the bruising and internal bleeding, I never kick him hard, just enough to push him back.

 

[BantyChooks]

How do I get him to stop then? He always seems submissive after we beat him at his own game. For the bruising and internal bleeding, I never kick him hard, just enough to push him back.

I can't imagine that kicking a rooster would possibly do that, unless you've crossed the line to abusive in force.
Personally, I 'kick' my roosters if they get out of line. They ARE NOT hurt, they are not terrified of me, and I can keep just about any rooster toeing the line that way. By kick, I mean push out of my space with the same force that you could do by reaching down and shoving them with your hand. Feet are safer for the human, though. If you have a borderline mean cockerel, your face and hands shouldn't be down there!

I have a link in my signature to an explanation of how I handle roosters. It's in no way backed by 'rooster psychology', it's just what little experience I have written up in case it makes anyone else think. I'm still learning new things every day, and who knows, in another year I might have a completely different way of doing things. This is how it stands now and I feel confident that as I do it in my situation, my roosters are not abused and they are certainly not man fighters.

 

[Shadrach]

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.

From what I read here I think many people thought the same.

 

[Abriana]

Male animals will begin to think of you as one of them if you cuddle and hold them, and large farm animals like cattle can get very dangerous (obviously you won’t be holding your bull calf lol). Roosters not so much, but it’s better for them to have a healthy respect for you, or they will attack you and other people. I didn’t follow this advice for my rooster Napoleon, because I didn’t know he was a rooster-being a new chicken owner, I had no idea until he crowed-and it was quite an operation to try to get him to respect me. And he still will attack other people. Some roosters will continue to be friendly, but others won’t!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

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.

Yes farming looks easy on paper and it isn't for everyone.

I keep a stag pen because none of my boys are ready to be eaten before they are ready to competitively try breeding my hens. It does have its' challenges... but if you aren't able to send your's to freezer camp then it might be an option for you.And definitely don't get anymore unsexed chicks if you won't be able to face the music. I too am very tender hearted... wasn't sure I could take if a chick didn't hatch right or if I could process when the time came. It was difficult, it still is. We have done probably 20+ boys, I even thought I might become vegetarian. Alas I accept the circle of life and know that something dies for me to live... my consumption has become more conscious. And I have NOT become more hard... I still very much enjoy having roosters and actually cried over the loss of one really good boy... our best so far. It was an accident and we still processed him for the freezer. It both caught me off guard and made me proud to know that I still care about every life.

You can't change what you thought or did... you can only learn and move forward to make choices that will best fit YOUR goals. 9 years and several hundred birds later... I learn something new almost daily! Hang in there!

 

[BantyChooks]

I agree that since he's already 2 years old it's unlikely that his personality will change now. He's had his hormonal flush and seems to have a submissive personality overall, which often isn't the case but is a good thing in your situation. People aggression in roosters is partly genetics and partly how they are handled and raised. The reason many of us recommend a more hands off approach when raising roosters is because the genetics aren't visible and it's safer to treat them as if the potential for aggression is there than to assume it isn't.

That's a great way of putting it.

 

[Goldenrod1210]

I didn't realize this, I always held my rooster Sunflower as a chick and gave him treats, etc. He grew up the sweetest rooster ever. Maybe it was luck? Hmmm

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

The OP asked in another thread about the wing down dominance dance that roosters do. If a 2 yr old rooster is just starting the dominance dance when the OP comes near - would the OP want to continue coddling the rooster? Even at 2, something in his mind could have changed?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

The OP asked in another thread about the wing down dominance dance that roosters do. If a 2 yr old rooster is just starting the dominance dance when the OP comes near - would the OP want to continue coddling the rooster? Even at 2, something in his mind could have changed?

Wing dance is NEVER accepted here.

Good time to start training the human!

I saw one thread that said make sure to never pull back (an instant reaction to biting or pecking) but always stand your ground CALMLY and move forward through the bird. Calm assertive works much better than crazy aggressive... in my experience.

Yes even at two... something COULD change!

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Wing dance is NEVER accepted here.

Good time to start training the human!

I saw one thread that said make sure to never pull back (an instant reaction to biting or pecking) but always stand your ground CALMLY and move forward through the bird. Calm assertive works much better than crazy aggressive... in my experience.

Yes even at two... something COULD change!

That is how I am with my flock. Calm, assertive, and consistent. I find it works well when dealing with people too. I just call it firm, but kind.