Rooster Quiz

[brownysfp]

Funny to see this thread today as my Light Sussex roo caught me eqrlier this afternoon. He wasn't with hens or any of the other roos but standing alone on top of a ramp.
I'd bent down to pick something when he reared up and drew blood on my hand. I kicked him off the ramp and went after him. After a longish chase I netted him, pinned him down and cuffed the back of his head a couple of times. Then a car pulled on to the driveway so I picked him and carried him tightly under my arm whilst I spoke to the driver.
Afterwards I pinned him down for another couple of minutes. When I went out later he took one look and fled. He's been a problem one or twice before but he's a beautiful bird and very good in his rooster duties so I'm inclined to discipline rather than culling.

 

[chicknmania]

You con't have to be so rough as to pick him up and shake him. Pick him up yes. And carry him around.
And every time he acts aggressive do that. Honestly he is probably sensing your fear. We have a rooster who
used to bite and I cured him of biting by carrying him around and petting him. Now he is one of our tamest and
nicest roosters.

 

[corgiscatsandchickens]

I think it's interesting how a lot of people think that disciplining your rooster (read: kicking, boxing, pinning him down, etc.) is being mean to him.

When I was a kid, I grew up with roosters and hens. Some were quite nice, one in particular flogged me and drew blood from me a number of times. He made me afraid of him ( I was only eight when he first did it) and he always knew that if I were by myself, he had the upper hand. Oddly enough my mom, who wouldn't take crap from him, was his best friend. He would ride around on her shoulder like a pirate's parrot all day long.

Now, as an adult, I'm able to understand that all the discipline that looks so harsh isn't meant to hurt the roo, just get the point across as to what acceptable behaviour is. Trouble is, roosters don't understand english, nor do they understand human body language. Roosters understand Rooster.

In my new flock, as soon as I began to suspect that the chick that looked like a hen but had the attitude of a roo really WAS a roo, I immediately began to discpline him. Gently while he was a chick. But I did things like hold him against his will, smack his face if he tried to peck me, and a couple of times when he was really trying to assert his will, I even carried him upside down by the legs!

Today, I have a lovely, docile pet rooster. The reason he doesn't mount the hens in front of me is because he knows that the hens are MY girls first, his girls second. He doesn't crow in front of me because he knows *I* am in charge and he is my second in command. He is a great protector of his flock, all the eggs have bullseyes, and I can do anything to any chicken I want at any time I want. He's the best rooster I've ever known. Partly due to his being a good-natured guy to begin with, and partly due to the fact that he was "brought up right"! He's the roo you see in my avitar being held like a baby.

Words of wisdom:

Spare the rod, spoil the rooster.

My 2cents. That and a dollar fifty will get you a cup of coffee.

 

[mamaKate]

Quote:
Restraining, calming, petting and not purposely provoking worked for me. I tried retaliating and I had a golden feathered maniac in my yard. Yes, he mates with his hens in my presence. He seems to understand that it's his territory and I have no interest in it.

 

[brownysfp]

Think I should add that the kick and cuffs were not delivered with anywhere near the same force as I'd give to a person who'd attacked me. It was the side of the foot not the toe and the cuffing was just a couple of gentle taps to the back of his head. Cruelty achieves nothing: if he was truly out of hand he'd be dispatched humanely, certainly not in a temper. He does a darn fine job and he's top roo - but that doesn't extend outside of chicken world.

 

[JodyJo]

I agree...me kicking my roo was not like a football! lol.....just got his attention and let him know he wasn't going to stalk my little boy...who is tiny.
My husband likes to instigate upset....which does not sit well with me....I told him he is just doing his job, leave him be...and that is that.

I have never had an issue with the alpha roo since...he remembered my little boy chasing the girls around...so he was defending the woman folk.
Now he gives me a wide walk around and a stink eye...but calm is always the case now.

 

[Gypsy07]

Quote:
x10! Totally agree. Any kind of disciplining/retraining done while angry/annoyed/scared will have either zero effect, or the wrong effect!

Having read many hundreds of posts about training roosters and hearing how many different methods people have had great success with, I really believe that it's not what method you use that has the desired effect, it's your calm state of mind, firm actions, and consistency of behaviour. Like Cesar Millan for chickens. LOL!

Personally, I favour the picking up and carrying around method. Including wattle tickling and tucking his head under my arm if he continues to struggle. I only put him down again once he's totally calm. If I had to move him with my foot, it would be more a 'sweep' than a kick. I've not had a problem roo for a few years now...

 

[Boomchickaboomboomboom]

Thank you all for your helpful replies. Basically I have tried to combine all the advice to make it my own. My roo is young still so it helps that he has not had time to be set in his ways. I did keep him from mating the hens in front of me a few times, and have it down so that I can just make a certain noise and he stops in his tracks, knowing my next move is physical. This has worked so far. I have picked up a few hens, and he has not been aggressive. I think the problem the day I grabbed the hen was that I did it so quickly, and forcefully that it was upsetting to all. Anyway, I am learning just as well as they are learning. Hopefully our lessons will result in a mutually harmonious relationship, and for now it looks like it will since I'm receiving all of this great advice. I truly do appreciate the help, and thank you again.

 

[leochickenmama]

My Jersey Giant roo can be an ass. He's only 8 months old. He's attacked everyone except me...probably because he knows I'm the boss. I let him know that VERY early on.

He hasn't been bothering my kids lately, because they've swatted him with a broom if he starts in with his domineering stuff.

We let him know that he's the boss of his flock (he IS super protective of them), but we're his boss.

It's working, because every time the dope sees one of us, he crows for company. What a wacko.

 

[brownysfp]

A follow-on: every couple of weeks I've had to underline my superiority with this Sussex; seems he's got a very short memory. Last week we bought nine hens and two cocks from a chap who's going back to the UK. Included in the group was a large White Maran roo. Integration was hectic - the Sussex is still top dog but at least he hasn't got the time to worry about me!