Toddlebahns
Chirping
- May 3, 2023
- 27
- 114
- 66
Hello,
Our last rooster was lost to a predator (fox). We decided to adopt another rooster, he's between 1 and 2 yrs old. We decided to replace our rooster due to the amount of hawks flying around.
We have just started integrating him to the flock and I have a couple questions.
Overall the hens seem unbothered by him. But he is crowing a lot. Especially when I come out to the barn/coop to do chores. I've kept them all contained within the coop and run while they get used to one another. He paces whenever I or any other family member is outside. Then last night, while feeding the birds he attacked me bit my finger and attempted to peck at my legs. He tried me again this morning.
He is obviously stressed and seeing me as a threat. The previous owner said he was very friendly and sent me a picture of him perched on her back! So do I work on getting him to trust me or assert my dominance? Is there any hope, or is he likely to continue this behavior. So far I'm chalking it up to him being stressed.
So far when the attacks have occurred, I sort of swiped at him and once even held him down. Tonight he tried mating a hen in front of me and pushed him off. He retreated from me. No further incidents.
Is it typical for a new rooster to sort of test you? Or is he just showing me that he will be a problem?
I don't want to create a problem. But I also have no interest in keeping a jerk. I also noticed he doesn't seem to try to "show" the ladies when he finds food/treats. He just gobbles it right up. Makes me wonder as my last roo was always a perfect gentlemen letting the hens have first choice. I never had a single incident with our last rooster, he was around the same age and introduced to an existing flock as well. Never once did I get an inkling that he was even thinking about coming at me. He typically just kept his distance, but was comfortable in my presence.
Our last rooster was lost to a predator (fox). We decided to adopt another rooster, he's between 1 and 2 yrs old. We decided to replace our rooster due to the amount of hawks flying around.
We have just started integrating him to the flock and I have a couple questions.
Overall the hens seem unbothered by him. But he is crowing a lot. Especially when I come out to the barn/coop to do chores. I've kept them all contained within the coop and run while they get used to one another. He paces whenever I or any other family member is outside. Then last night, while feeding the birds he attacked me bit my finger and attempted to peck at my legs. He tried me again this morning.
He is obviously stressed and seeing me as a threat. The previous owner said he was very friendly and sent me a picture of him perched on her back! So do I work on getting him to trust me or assert my dominance? Is there any hope, or is he likely to continue this behavior. So far I'm chalking it up to him being stressed.
So far when the attacks have occurred, I sort of swiped at him and once even held him down. Tonight he tried mating a hen in front of me and pushed him off. He retreated from me. No further incidents.
Is it typical for a new rooster to sort of test you? Or is he just showing me that he will be a problem?
I don't want to create a problem. But I also have no interest in keeping a jerk. I also noticed he doesn't seem to try to "show" the ladies when he finds food/treats. He just gobbles it right up. Makes me wonder as my last roo was always a perfect gentlemen letting the hens have first choice. I never had a single incident with our last rooster, he was around the same age and introduced to an existing flock as well. Never once did I get an inkling that he was even thinking about coming at me. He typically just kept his distance, but was comfortable in my presence.
