Rooster Training Advice

[LizzzyJo]

Hi All,
I have a 6 month old Buff Brahma rooster (Cameron). I am devoted to proper training and am always seeking advice on best practices. His last remaining unruly behavior is to run toward me when I pick up a hen. I can pick him up and do anything else around him without issue. He does not bite or jump at me. When he runs toward me (when grabbing hens) I push him over with my foot, then grab him and hold him to the ground until he submits. I try to do this every few days. Sometimes 3 times in a row. He eventually wonders off (free rangers).

I would like for him to not mind when I pick up the hens and never run at me or any other human (obviously). I got him because I heard his breed makes docile, beautiful roos - which he is! When I'm not picking up hens, he is very sweet and mellow.

Will this training method ever work? Will he ever ignore me when I pick up hens? Will he ever ignore 'strange' humans when they pick up hens?

Thanks!

 

[LizzzyJo]

@aart @DobieLover and anyone else who has had experience with roosters?

 

[DobieLover]

Please read this article.
I would not use my foot to push him over. Feet are for fighting.
Why are you picking up hens? Is there any way for you to enjoy your birds without triggering him (read: stop picking up the hens)?

 

[LizzzyJo]

Please read this article.
I would not use my foot to push him over. Feet are for fighting.
Why are you picking up hens? Is there any way for you to enjoy your birds without triggering him (read: stop picking up the hens)?

Thanks for the article! I can certainly stop using my feet (that was advice from someone else). My hens are pets and many are lap sitters that I had before the roo. It's a really enjoyable part of my day to go out and kneel and have my hens hop up onto my leg and pick them up. I have to say, if the decision is between picking up the hens and my roo, I'll choose picking up.

That being said, is what he's doing currently listed under 'bad rooster' behavior? Will/can it lessen with age and training?

Thank you!!

 

[DobieLover]

Thanks for the article! I can certainly stop using my feet (that was advice from someone else). My hens are pets and many are lap sitters that I had before the roo. It's a really enjoyable part of my day to go out and kneel and have my hens hop up onto my leg and pick them up. I have to say, if the decision is between picking up the hens and my roo, I'll choose picking up.

That being said, is what he's doing currently listed under 'bad rooster' behavior? Will/can it lessen with age and training?

Thank you!!

I don't think it is. Others here will.
The hens are his as far as he is concerned.
Have you tried just sitting in a chair and allowing the hens to jump in your lap of their own accord? My rooster doesn't mind that. It seems a fair compromise.

 

[igorsMistress]

Why are you picking up hens? Just to train the rooster? You're not a rooster, you can't breed his ladies so of course he's upset with you because you're after his girls. They are his, not yours. If he doesn't hate you for anything else, count yourself lucky and don't pick them up.

 

[Criticalicious]

Unless he's coming at you feet first, his behavior sounds normal. He's running towards you to check on his hen, claim her and get her back in line. "Get thee behind me, woman!" This is not usually aggressive although he is trying to claim ownership of your hen. If you put down the hen, he should dance around her with a wing dropped and mostly ignore you or put himself between you and the hen. Try holding the hen firmly about the wings with both hands so she is calm and hold her toward him - in his face. He should back off. He should be OK with you picking up hens around him; once he trusts you not to hurt them or steal them, and he respects your personal space most of the time, he will react less to your picking them up.

 

[DobieLover]

This is not usually aggressive although he is trying to claim ownership of your hen.

I'm afraid ye have this bass ackwards. The OP is trying to claim HIS hens. Rest assured, no matter who is footing the food bill and providing shelter, if you have a rooster in your flock, the hens are HIS. You have a rooster!

 

[LizzzyJo]

Why are you picking up hens? Just to train the rooster? You're not a rooster, you can't breed his ladies so of course he's upset with you because you're after his girls. They are his, not yours. If he doesn't hate you for anything else, count yourself lucky and don't pick them up.

I like having lap sitting hens. I picked them up long before I had the roo and would like to continue. It was picking them up and giving them treats that made them lap sitters. Now with this new 6 month hen flock the roo is getting upset when I train them in the same way as my older hens.

It all makes sense, of course, I am just looking to see if people can have a rooster and pick up their hens.

 

[Criticalicious]

Yes you can have a rooster and pick up your hens. If you understand and respect rooster behavior and work with it. In his feather brain, they are HIS hens. He needs to learn that you are not a competing rooster trying to steal from him. If you have to, sometimes it's easier just to lock him in the run while the girls free range and hang out with you.