Rooster: Friend or Foe?

[Speckled Hen]

I have raised Rhode Island Reds from 5 day old chicks. At times our rooster is like a dog, other times I think my rooster is too friendly. There is a struggle for dominance between him and I in my yard. Can I correct this while he's still young? How do I maintain proper pecking order between human and rooster?

 

[Fettfarm]

I don't have an answer to your question, but I have a question myself. What type of chicken is in your photo? I have a little hen- Oreo, just like yours.She's adorable.

 

[Gofygure]

The best rooster is a friendly one. The next best is a skittish one. If your rooster displays aggressive behavior toward you, there are a few ways to put him in his place. A lot of people here use 'corporal cuddling,' meaning they make a point of picking up, holding, and petting the rooster every day. This reinforces that you are in charge of him in a positive and humane way.

I'd advise against violence unless the rooster is actively attacking you. If that is the situation, cull and replace him. From my own experience, temperament is at least partially genetic, and an aggressive roo may pass it on to his offspring.

A truly friendly rooster is very rare. They are not hens. So long as he lets you handle his girls and keeps his distance, I wouldn't worry about him.

 

[Speckled Hen]

This was my Plymouth Rock (Barred Rock) hen. She is at another farm now. I have only Rhode Island Reds. The two breeds didn't get along as well as I was hoping. The Barred Rock's are really easy. Under different circumstances I would have done all Barred Rocks.

 

[Speckled Hen]

It's hard to tell when he's about the be aggressive. He comes when called. Walks next us when we're doing yard work. It's at random when he will come from hiding and attacks. I routinely pick him up and put him away at night. I'll be more vigilant about picking him up during the day and I'll hope there's an improvement. His aggression isn't a problem now, he's only attacked 3 times that we know about. I want to be sure his attacks isn't something that escalates. As with any animal in my yard, I like to avoid all unpredictable behavior.

 

[welasharon]

I had a GL x tolbunt cross that was a beautiful rooster but he started attacking me...only me. THe first time he caught me by surprise and I kicked him...it rapidly went downhll from there to the point I could not go out in my yard without a stick. I finally had to take him out. Then another pure tolbunt started to challenge me... I had read about how some would pick them up when they FIRST did it and hold them under your arm and hold their heads down toward the ground. Let the head go...and repeat till they stopped picking up the head. Well it sounded stupid but I was desperate to keep my roos (these are not easy chickens to find) so I tried it. I only had to do it three times and now we have no problems. Later another young rooster tried to strike me and I only have had to do it with him once. It has worked well for me. I wish I had know with the first one...maybe I could have stopped him. I think that you have to do it immediately the first time and not strike out at them. Good luck!

 

[Speckled Hen]

Thank you everyone for commenting please any more advice would be helpful. So far, I'll pick him up more often. I'll pick him up and put his head down if he's acting aggressively. I want him to keep his head down when I'm forcing him into this position.

I think he's acting as a testy teen. It's not like training a dog. I don't know how to correct a rooster. He is fine when I'm working with the hens, overall he's really enjoyable. If it's possible to set up boundaries I would prefer this option before I make him dinner.

 

[7L Farm]

I'm not sure how you fix an aggressive cockerel you could try the advice giving . Then keep an eye on him if he continues this behaviour time to sharpen the axs. My last roo went south on me & thats how I handle it. Its just the way it is if you raise birds you have to do whats best for you & the flock.

 

[welasharon]

Thank you everyone for commenting please any more advice would be helpful. So far, I'll pick him up more often. I'll pick him up and put his head down if he's acting aggressively. I want him to keep his head down when I'm forcing him into this position.

I think he's acting as a testy teen. It's not like training a dog. I don't know how to correct a rooster. He is fine when I'm working with the hens, overall he's really enjoyable. If it's possible to set up boundaries I would prefer this option before I make him dinner. 

Yes but as 7L says...if he doesn't correct don't let him make your life miserable. No rooster is worth that! Once I took mine out it was instant peace in the chicken yard!