Rooster Training Advice

[llombardo]

Roosters are wired to protect their girls. If I need to handle the girls, I put him away. Pretty simple. In the past if he needed help(an escaped hen for example) he would alert me and I would get her back in the area--he had no problem with this. He observes me closely. I get caught in the netting and put my foot on it to free myself. One time a hen got caught and was frantic. He came and got me,talking to me the whole time. By the time I got there I witnessed him standing on the netting the same way he saw me do it a million times and he got her unstuck. They are not stupid and I respect him and the job he is wired to do. We have worked as a team many times. I have also saw him flog my sister who went to grab a hen and was clapping. He didn't really know my sister and was fine up until her stupid move. She turned her back on him and Iwas yelling at her to never turn her back on a rooster--he was coming at her again. I had to step in and he backed off. He left no marks, but did his job and she learned a little bit about roisters that day.

 

[aart]

Roosters are wired to protect their girls. If I need to handle the girls, I put him away. Pretty simple. In the past if he needed help(an escaped hen for example) he would alert me and I would get her back in the area--he had no problem with this. He observes me closely. I get caught in the netting and put my foot on it to free myself. One time a hen got caught and was frantic. He came and got me,talking to me the whole time. By the time I got there I witnessed him standing on the netting the same way he saw me do it a million times and he got her unstuck. They are not stupid and I respect him and the job he is wired to do. We have worked as a team many times. I have also saw him flog my sister who went to grab a hen and was clapping. He didn't really know my sister and was fine up until her stupid move. She turned her back on him and Iwas yelling at her to never turn her back on a rooster--he was coming at her again. I had to step in and he backed off. He left no marks, but did his job and she learned a little bit about roisters that day.

Sounds like that wouldn't be necessary after reading the rest of your story.

 

[grandbayou]

With just 1 rooster you are lucky that’s all he is doing. Most like to bow up against something to impress the lady’s. With 2 roosters they will pretty much compete with each other and not you. That being said I have way too many roosters and the one Banty that bows up at me very occasionally gets sternly reprimanded.

 

[BantyChooks]

Whew. What a frustrating thread, I bet the OP wished she didn’t post it at times. Nothing on here is more frustrating than someone telling you that you’re doing something wrong without offering ANY advice.

Thank goodness for @BantyChooks and @aart and a few others.

I actually don’t keep a rooster right now. I’ve grown out quite a few to about 4-5 months before rehoming because I’m just not ready with a small child and in the past no real direction to my ultimate breeding plans. I just popped on here to say my favorite line of all is this...



When I am going to start keeping roosters, I will absolutely hatch out enough, or start with an older proven boy, so that none of this matters. Whatever the case may be, but I think you’ve already said this, do not change your joy-inducing moments with your hens to appease a potential jerk.

Oh also I think it was @aart that mentioned just being around observing calms them down. “Approach and retreat” is a staple, fundamental aspect of ‘training’ any prey animal. Not in a sketchy, hidden way, and not in a way to not still be asserting your dominance, but the more often times that you can be “passing through” without any interaction, without any movement or demeanor that can be considered aggressive or threatening, and then LEAVING as often as you can is the quickest ultimate way to gain the trust of a prey animal. I purposefully break up my chores and visits into as many opportunities I can.

Predators are very straight-line thinkers. Prey animals are not.

To add to this... animals think via patterns. I don't know anyone that actively disagrees with this theory, which is why I feel comfortable stating it. Their reactions to humans/objects/places are determined by past experiences, either with the exact thing or with similar things. They are VERY good at analyzing patterns as relate to them. They are not quite as good at independent patterns (but they still can figure them out somewhat.) Approach/leave basically rubs in that pattern of familiarity and safety in a much more rapid manner than a once-a-day dump-feed-and-leave interaction will. By not directly interacting with them (in my case, I work on a construction project outside while ignoring the birds) their curiosity is also piqued. They want to know what you're up to. This is an important state in animals. Highly reactive animals are also highly curious when their flight reaction isn't tripped. When any animal is purely curious, they are not gearing up for aggressive behaviour. The formation of patterns is extremely malleable when they are in this state, in my experience. I believe this is why my Leghorns are almost annoyingly friendly when so many others write them off as crazy. I think quite a few of my birds haven't been picked up in months, yet will still come streaking over when I approach. Some even sit on my lap. I rarely use treats to encourage them to be around me; I find it encourages affrontive behaviour in both hens and roosters if they come to expect it and it's not there. Their food goes in and stays in their bowls.

A small detour, if you'll tolerate it: with ducks (perhaps not drakes—I don't keep many, so I wouldn't know) there is no risk of aggressive behaviour like there is with roosters, so I actively exhibit deferential behaviours towards them when interaction has to be direct. If they're sitting down and I need to walk by, I slow down so that I'm nearly stopped, readjust my course to be at least 2--3' away from them, and walk past at a resumed normal pace with my gaze soft and directed at the ground. Arm movement is kept to a minimum and fingers are in a soft position. I find that the near-stop done before I reach them is a particular help to keeping them calm and still sitting. It's what a lower-ranking bird does when near a higher-ranking bird. If it's a total stop, they'll get suspicious and leave. Ducks are much more sensitive to frozen body language than chickens, who are actually comforted by it to some extent if it's not intense. My ducks are the friendliest when I am kneeling to work on something with my back turned to them. They'll walk right up and climb all over my legs.

 

[centrarchid]

To add to this... animals think via patterns. I don't know anyone that actively disagrees with this theory, which is why I feel comfortable stating it. Their reactions to humans/objects/places are determined by past experiences, either with the exact thing or with similar things. They are VERY good at analyzing patterns as relate to them. They are not quite as good at independent patterns (but they still can figure them out somewhat.) Approach/leave basically rubs in that pattern of familiarity and safety in a much more rapid manner than a once-a-day dump-feed-and-leave interaction will. By not directly interacting with them (in my case, I work on a construction project outside while ignoring the birds) their curiosity is also piqued. They want to know what you're up to. This is an important state in animals. Highly reactive animals are also highly curious when their flight reaction isn't tripped. When any animal is purely curious, they are not gearing up for aggressive behaviour. The formation of patterns is extremely malleable when they are in this state, in my experience. I believe this is why my Leghorns are almost annoyingly friendly when so many others write them off as crazy. I think quite a few of my birds haven't been picked up in months, yet will still come streaking over when I approach. Some even sit on my lap. I rarely use treats to encourage them to be around me; I find it encourages affrontive behaviour in both hens and roosters if they come to expect it and it's not there. Their food goes in and stays in their bowls.

A small detour, if you'll tolerate it: with ducks (perhaps not drakes—I don't keep many, so I wouldn't know) there is no risk of aggressive behaviour like there is with roosters, so I actively exhibit deferential behaviours towards them when interaction has to be direct. If they're sitting down and I need to walk by, I slow down so that I'm nearly stopped, readjust my course to be at least 2--3' away from them, and walk past at a resumed normal pace with my gaze soft and directed at the ground. Arm movement is kept to a minimum and fingers are in a soft position. I find that the near-stop done before I reach them is a particular help to keeping them calm and still sitting. It's what a lower-ranking bird does when near a higher-ranking bird. If it's a total stop, they'll get suspicious and leave. Ducks are much more sensitive to frozen body language than chickens, who are actually comforted by it to some extent if it's not intense. My ducks are the friendliest when I am kneeling to work on something with my back turned to them. They'll walk right up and climb all over my legs.

Be careful now, people might see you have deep interest in chicken behavior. That can be regarded as a sin. I have already been cursed to hot place for it. Do you want to go there?

 

[llombardo]

Sounds like that wouldn't be necessary after reading the rest of your story.

I am also not stupid...lol

He babawks when I handle them, it's clearly a warning. I heed that warning. Yes I'm ultimately the boss and in the end what I say goes, but I do respect him and his space. Generally he respects me and my space, except if I have a bag--he just does not like bags--so I simply don't bring a bag in--he will flog the bag

 

[llombardo]

To add to this... animals think via patterns. I don't know anyone that actively disagrees with this theory, which is why I feel comfortable stating it. Their reactions to humans/objects/places are determined by past experiences, either with the exact thing or with similar things. They are VERY good at analyzing patterns as relate to them. They are not quite as good at independent patterns (but they still can figure them out somewhat.) Approach/leave basically rubs in that pattern of familiarity and safety in a much more rapid manner than a once-a-day dump-feed-and-leave interaction will. By not directly interacting with them (in my case, I work on a construction project outside while ignoring the birds) their curiosity is also piqued. They want to know what you're up to. This is an important state in animals. Highly reactive animals are also highly curious when their flight reaction isn't tripped. When any animal is purely curious, they are not gearing up for aggressive behaviour. The formation of patterns is extremely malleable when they are in this state, in my experience. I believe this is why my Leghorns are almost annoyingly friendly when so many others write them off as crazy. I think quite a few of my birds haven't been picked up in months, yet will still come streaking over when I approach. Some even sit on my lap. I rarely use treats to encourage them to be around me; I find it encourages affrontive behaviour in both hens and roosters if they come to expect it and it's not there. Their food goes in and stays in their bowls.

A small detour, if you'll tolerate it: with ducks (perhaps not drakes—I don't keep many, so I wouldn't know) there is no risk of aggressive behaviour like there is with roosters, so I actively exhibit deferential behaviours towards them when interaction has to be direct. If they're sitting down and I need to walk by, I slow down so that I'm nearly stopped, readjust my course to be at least 2--3' away from them, and walk past at a resumed normal pace with my gaze soft and directed at the ground. Arm movement is kept to a minimum and fingers are in a soft position. I find that the near-stop done before I reach them is a particular help to keeping them calm and still sitting. It's what a lower-ranking bird does when near a higher-ranking bird. If it's a total stop, they'll get suspicious and leave. Ducks are much more sensitive to frozen body language than chickens, who are actually comforted by it to some extent if it's not intense. My ducks are the friendliest when I am kneeling to work on something with my back turned to them. They'll walk right up and climb all over my legs.

My boy completrly followed me around and watched me work onthe run all the time. He would tilt his head when I talked to him as he was watching me. He also waits by the gate for me, he crows when I come home and he crows if I leave the area and he wants more time.

I did save his life once. He knew to come to me for help. His comb was purple and he ran to me and started flopping on the ground. I picked him up and immeduately put my finger down his throat to clear the airways. He allowed me to do all if this with no problem. His comb color returned but I didn't want to leave him alone do he came to work with me in a carrier. I was able to watch him and make sure he ate his scrambled eggs and water with electrolytes and Nutri drench, just a little spoiled. He amazes me.

 

[Sundaychx]

Such great information about rooster behavior and options! I have chickens and am a dog trainer. My brain goes to "distract and redirect", which would look like this: Teach Cameron to follow a treat/corn or other favorite edible when you toss it away from you and him. Keep tossing for a bit, showing him that being away from you is rewarding. when you want to work with the hens, use the same technique with him, just before you pick up the hen. You will want to put her down when he is away from you. You don't have to toss far, 5-10 feet would work. My chickens love the toss and hunt game. The goal is to teach him than when you pick up his girls, it is rewarding for him. Distracting him the same way when you put them down, also just keeps him busy while you do that. Practice the game with him alone, before trying to pick up a hen. His behavior is definitely genetic, someone else explained that, but you can modify his behavior to make everybody comfortable and safe. Also, punishment just makes you more dangerous, and will not deter him from protecting his girls.

 

[rustk]

I've had the same 2 RI White/Delaware cross roosters for almost 4 years. I keep them separated from but still able to watch the girls - if the girls feel like being in that section of their yard. Hugo, the larger of the 2, is calm and sweet tempered. Foggy is (sigh) a bit temperamental. Generally he will ignore me but there are moods. One day he sidles up to me, rubs his head on my foot and darn near coos when I hand feed him treats. The next day he loses his mind and charges me. I don't go in the roosters' section without a broom, or at least a squirt water bottle in hand. When Foggy is aggressive towards me, Hugo waits for me to leave then beats the crud out of him. I've never been able to decide if Hugo is being protective or if it's more of a "Hey! She gives us cantaloupe!" slap upside the head. Neither seems to care one way or the other when I handle the hens. Both are a non-stop fire alarm if anyone they don't know is anywhere in sight. I have definitely learned not to underestimate their intelligence.

 

[jbf16falcon]

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!View attachment 1853958

That works against every instinct in a rooster. His priority beyond the one everyone knows is to protect his hens. Anything that goes after one triggers an instinctual response to react to protect. The amount of that instinct varys and those that let you walk in an pick up a hen are actually not very good at their job. lol It’s hardwired and I have not been able to change the response. I just do it far enough away from the rooster that he will have the instinctual response and then enough room to determine the situation and stand down before he gets to me. lol have fun with that one other than timing for distance.