rooster protecting human? is this possible??

[alb9202]

Has anyone ever had a protective hen attempt to keep you from taking their eggs in anyway, when NOT broody?

Has anyone had their rooster flog/spir another hen to protect you?

Laid some scratch, collected eggs, on the way out my most protective hen runs in front of me and turns to her side and acts just a little bizzar. I have an egg carton in one hand and plastic scratch container in the other hand. Either she was trying to keep me from taking her eggs or she thought I had more. Then off to my side my rooster flies and lands next to me. He is still an adolescent (11 mo buff brahma) I didnt challenge him or respond, set down the stuff and pointed my finger at him and gave him a verbal lashing for coming at me. He could have tought I would hurt his girl with the items I had in my hand, but do they really have that bad aim? He has jumped on my legs before and ran at me with out jumping, Ive just ignored it. Did nothing but challenge my last a-hole rooster, so I am taking a different approach with this one.

 

[alb9202]

 

[sourland]

Yes and yes, but I am thinking that your rooster is becoming human aggressive and that his bad behavior will escalate. I would modify his behavior in a non confrontational way; ie, by forcing him into submission.

 

[alb9202]

sourland, what are some techniques that you recommend or used? I have had to chase him down in the run when I treated him for lice on 3 seperate occasions recently, every time i chase him around a bit and then he stops in a corner and crouches down or under a shovel right before I pick him up. Is this a submissive thing or no?

 

[PrairieChickens]

Seconded.

 

[sourland]

That action is submissive on his part. When he approaches you in what might be an aggressive fashion, place a hand on his back and the other hand on his neck and firmly force him to the ground. Hold him there until he stops struggling then release him. If he still acts 'cocky' repeat the procedure. Some will grab such a rooster by the legs and carry him around while keeping his head under control so that he can not bite - your boy may be too big for that. With smaller roosters I have used a short handled fishing net to scoop them up. The net effectively forces them into submission but might be too small to use on your rooster. By the way it does not sound as if his behavior is any where near the 'danger' point. He is just a young rooster figuring out how to be in charge of HIS flock.

 

[Hooligans7]

Always wear heavy protective gloves when handling an aggressive rooster, or any chicken that may not want to be handled, or when removing eggs from under a broody hen.

 

[sourland]

Always wear heavy protective gloves when handling an aggressive rooster, or any chicken that may not want to be handled, or when removing eggs from under a broody hen.

And a long sleeved shirt - forgot to mention this.

 

[alb9202]

While in the coop today my toddler 2.5 year old was also outside playing, she was interested in the birds and I allowed her to walk in the coop and run with me. She was wearing a snowsuit winter gloves, thick winter coat (the pink, purple michilan kid) the rooster jumped on her back and like clock work, I immediately grabbed him held his neck/head down and laid him on his side. (he instantly submitted and laid on ground for a bit even after I let him go) he didnt bother me or my kiddo the rest lf the time in the coop. He didnt see that one coming! We will see if he tries this naughty behavior again. We werent hurting his girls in anyway shape or form. All my kiddo did was walk in the coop. I am truly torn with decensitizing a rooster to possibly threats to his flock. I can only assume his instincts will kick in if there is a true threat, I imagine he would. He has to know that those who bring food and dont make his girls squack are not true threats.

 

[Hooligans7]

alb9202, my theory is that because your toddler is much smaller then you and has no history of dispensing food, your roo considered the intrusion a threat by an unknown, predator-sized entity. He had no compelling reason to trust your toddler, and he lacks the intellect to discern that she is not a threat because she's your daughter. He couldn't have known or deduced any of those things. He simply reacted to an unknown potential threat. However, if your daughter started dispensing a few tasty morsels, then he would view her in an entirely different and decidedly positive way!