Chicken-newb
In the Brooder
- Sep 2, 2025
- 17
- 16
- 36
Hello, I have a 6mo old barred rock rooster and 13 hens. I started with 17 and rehomed 3 roosters.
I didn't know to handle my chicks often so now they are not tame and often run away. When I need to check them for medical issues they make noises like I'm frightening them. This riles up my rooster but he has never done anything other than stand taller and flap his wings to show dominance. I usually just try to talk to him and he's fine. I have started giving them treats to make them more tame. The other day I was giving scrambled eggs in a container and my rooster bit my finger and cut it open (small cut but bled). I thought maybe he just missed the bowl. The next day I was handling the girls to put no Peck on many of their butts. They all got riled up so he started flapping and trying to tell me to bugger off.
Today I went to pick up an egg that was on the floor of the coop and he kept getting close. He normally leaves me alone so I got concerned. When I bent down to get the egg, I think he thought I had food but I didn't so he kind of jerked forward. I said, no, and then put my foot up just 8" or so. He started flapping and ran torward me. I put my leg up again slightly and he ran/jumped right into it. He did this three times! He also puffed his neck feathers which I haven't seen before.
*Wondering if I need to re-home him or take him to soup city. He has also recently pecked my two daughters toes (they did wear open toe shoes that I told them not to wear in the co-op).
I didn't know to handle my chicks often so now they are not tame and often run away. When I need to check them for medical issues they make noises like I'm frightening them. This riles up my rooster but he has never done anything other than stand taller and flap his wings to show dominance. I usually just try to talk to him and he's fine. I have started giving them treats to make them more tame. The other day I was giving scrambled eggs in a container and my rooster bit my finger and cut it open (small cut but bled). I thought maybe he just missed the bowl. The next day I was handling the girls to put no Peck on many of their butts. They all got riled up so he started flapping and trying to tell me to bugger off.
Today I went to pick up an egg that was on the floor of the coop and he kept getting close. He normally leaves me alone so I got concerned. When I bent down to get the egg, I think he thought I had food but I didn't so he kind of jerked forward. I said, no, and then put my foot up just 8" or so. He started flapping and ran torward me. I put my leg up again slightly and he ran/jumped right into it. He did this three times! He also puffed his neck feathers which I haven't seen before.
*Wondering if I need to re-home him or take him to soup city. He has also recently pecked my two daughters toes (they did wear open toe shoes that I told them not to wear in the co-op).
