Rooster Problem!

[blits0927]

Ok all. I have a rooster question. My little General (RIR) will be 5 mos. old later this week. As he's been approaching sexual maturity he's displayed some good rooster traits like keeping watch over the hens, calling them over when he's found food, letting the girls eat before he eats, doesn't harrass them to bad to mate, he's even shown protective tendencies over me when he thought the neighbor's chihuahua was going to attack. He's been people friendly.... as far as roosters go anyway. He's not a cuddly lap bird, but seems to like to forage nearby when we're outside. He is quick to come to me, along with the hens, when I go outside with food and will eat from my hand after the hens have. Sometimes when I'm working in the yard, he'll leave the hens to their foraging to come check out what I'm doing, do a little eating nearby, and "chat" to me for a little bit. Its the same sound I've heard him making to the hens when they're out and about foraging and just generally enjoying the day. He's also been a perfect gentleman when they've visited the neighbors. The neighbors btw do encourage the visits lol. All seemed to be going well with him until today. My boyfriend was walking to the backyard when he felt something hit the back of his leg. He looked back and from out of nowhere, there stood the General. He then proceeded to chase my boyfriend around the side of the house. (I know, big mistake to retreat).... Other than this incident, he's never shown noticeable aggressive behavior toward people. As a matter of fact, the other day I picked up my BO hen to check her over. When she left out a displeased squawk he came running around the side of the house all ruffled up and ready for battle. As soon as he saw the cause of her displeasure he immediately put his feathers down, stood there for a second, and started pecking at some scratch that was on the ground. So my question is, were there subtle signs leading up to this that we missed? What cues does a rooster show before they get into more noticeable things like puffing up and attempts at flogging? I'm not naive enough to think this is going to be an isolated incident, and won't tolerate a flogging rooster. But I do want to give him a chance, so I need to know what signs to look for to nip things in the bud before he makes another attempt at flogging.

 

[Toddrick]

Production Red roosters are famous for flogging people. All the other traits are perfectly normal and acceptable. You may have luck chasing him down the next time he tries to attach someone, and grabbing him if caught, and holding him for a while. This may (or may not) nip the behavior in the bud. If not, you will likely always have problems like this with strangers, or yourself if you wear strange clothing that freaks him out, like a big hat. Rooster seem to have ankle radar, so exposed ankles is like a giant target!

I inherited a rooster that I could not break of the behavior, and I had to cull him. Two of his sons were put in their place the first time they tried to get aggressive, and now they are timid around people, which is about the best outcome you can expect. It is very unlikely they'll ever be friendly, since their instinct to protect the flock means they are the lookout, and if they respect/fear you then they will be somewhat flighty.

 

[rIrs roost]

Ok all. I have a rooster question. My little General (RIR) will be 5 mos. old later this week. As he's been approaching sexual maturity he's displayed some good rooster traits like keeping watch over the hens, calling them over when he's found food, letting the girls eat before he eats, doesn't harrass them to bad to mate, he's even shown protective tendencies over me when he thought the neighbor's chihuahua was going to attack. He's been people friendly.... as far as roosters go anyway. He's not a cuddly lap bird, but seems to like to forage nearby when we're outside. He is quick to come to me, along with the hens, when I go outside with food and will eat from my hand after the hens have. Sometimes when I'm working in the yard, he'll leave the hens to their foraging to come check out what I'm doing, do a little eating nearby, and "chat" to me for a little bit. Its the same sound I've heard him making to the hens when they're out and about foraging and just generally enjoying the day. He's also been a perfect gentleman when they've visited the neighbors. The neighbors btw do encourage the visits lol. All seemed to be going well with him until today. My boyfriend was walking to the backyard when he felt something hit the back of his leg. He looked back and from out of nowhere, there stood the General. He then proceeded to chase my boyfriend around the side of the house. (I know, big mistake to retreat).... Other than this incident, he's never shown noticeable aggressive behavior toward people. As a matter of fact, the other day I picked up my BO hen to check her over. When she left out a displeased squawk he came running around the side of the house all ruffled up and ready for battle. As soon as he saw the cause of her displeasure he immediately put his feathers down, stood there for a second, and started pecking at some scratch that was on the ground. So my question is, were there subtle signs leading up to this that we missed? What cues does a rooster show before they get into more noticeable things like puffing up and attempts at flogging? I'm not naive enough to think this is going to be an isolated incident, and won't tolerate a flogging rooster. But I do want to give him a chance, so I need to know what signs to look for to nip things in the bud before he makes another attempt at flogging.

I'm new to this but I had three roosters. Don't really know we hat signs they show before but when one came towards me and dropped his wing, I went straight at him at a fast pace . After a few times he quit. I had another one and I done the same thing to him. It would stop him for maybe 30 minutes or so but he'd try to catch me from behind after that . I rejoined him. And the last one doesn't give me any trouble. That's why I kelp him. Maybe someone with more experience will chime in soon. Again, I don't know if I done the right thing or not. I don't want to tell you something to get anyone hurt. I'm just telling you my little bit of experience.

 

[blits0927]

Oh, I know better than to shoot for friendly. I'm perfectly content with how he's been up to this point. If I want to cuddle, I've got dogs ready and waiting lol. I'd just like to know what little signs to watch for before he makes his next attempt at flogging.

 

[slordaz]

just whack em with the stick, they still follow pecking order, our rooster won't bug me but does my friend

 

[blits0927]

I'm new to this but I had three roosters. Don't really know we hat signs they show before but when one came towards me and dropped his wing, I went straight at him at a fast pace . After a few times he quit. I had another one and I done the same thing to him. It would stop him for maybe 30 minutes or so but he'd try to catch me from behind after that . I rejoined him. And the last one doesn't give me any trouble. That's why I kelp him. Maybe someone with more experience will chime in soon. Again, I don't know if I done the right thing or not. I don't want to tell you something to get anyone hurt. I'm just telling you my little bit of experience.

Thank you. He doesn't have spurs yet, even if he did, Im not opposed to charging him, pinning him down, holding him, or booting him in the *** if it saves an otherwise good rooster. As for the wing dropping, I've never seen him do that either.

 

[Toddrick]

Oh, I know better than to shoot for friendly. I'm perfectly content with how he's been up to this point. If I want to cuddle, I've got dogs ready and waiting lol. I'd just like to know what little signs to watch for before he makes his next attempt at flogging.

The best sign is when he faces you and puts his head down and acts like he's pecking at the ground, but really he's just picking up and dropping the same blade of grass. He's trying to lure you closer for the attack. He may do this to you all the time but not attack since you keep your distance, but step in his zone and he'll likely charge. The only acceptable behavior if you are walking by him is for him to run out of the way. If he tries to face off with you in any way then that is bad.

Put on some boots and walk towards him. He'll probably move out of the way and then double back on you. Change your direction again straight at him. Keep doing this a few times and he'll probably attack, at which time throw your arms up, make noise and chase him hard.

 

[blits0927]

just whack em with the stick, they still follow pecking order, our rooster won't bug me but does my friend

I'm not opposed to whacking him...I just need to know when to whack him. Preferably before he tries to whack me lol

 

[rIrs roost]

I can tell you that the two that I had problems with, I had to show them who's the boss. I tried the junk I read about backing away and not playing their game but with these two, it didn't work. In my experience, I think what I read was a bunch of crap. Maybe someone has made this work but I had to get rough a couple times and it only changed one of the two roos.

 

[blits0927]

The best sign is when he faces you and puts his head down and acts like he's pecking at the ground, but really he's just picking up and dropping the same blade of grass. He's trying to lure you closer for the attack. He may do this to you all the time but not attack since you keep your distance, but step in his zone and he'll likely charge. The only acceptable behavior if you are walking by him is for him to run out of the way. If he tries to face off with you in any way then that is bad.

Put on some boots and walk towards him. He'll probably move out of the way and then double back on you. Change your direction again straight at him. Keep doing this a few times and he'll probably attack, at which time throw your arms up, make noise and chase him hard.

Ahh ok. I'll have to test this. Going in to his bubble that is. Normally when I go out specifically to see them, he comes to me, I don't go to him and I generally hold the same position. If Im out and about doing outside chores he stays out of the way and doesn't come over to my general vicinity until Ive settled in to an area to do something. As far as facing off with me and pecking the ground, I haven't noticed him doing that. Even when he's eating near me or from my hand, hes got his side to me. But I'll pay closer attention to watch for that.