Rooster

[Kennison Cota]

My rooster and I have daily stand offs, when I walk into the coop, he comes running after me, often attacking my feet and legs, I know that this is inky normal behavior of a rooster, but wondering how I could develop a better relationship with him.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Don't let him come forward. He should always be facing away and keeping his distance. Often once they start attacking it can be hard to stop.

Never go into the run without a tool. My choice would be a fishing net to scoop him up. A broom or plastic rake can work, but scooping him up with the net, than leaving him set in it while you do your business will work to teach him to stay away from you.

 

[perchie.girl]

Welcome To BYC... I key in a word Like 00002.3Ahh. make it growly... then whak em with what ever you got in your hand... bucket or I just read someone uses a fly swatter...

The goal is not to hurt but to make an impression that its not acceptible 7to you... Pecking order should be humans first. using the Growly voice cue eventually will take over having to whack. Because sometimes they forget... LOL.

He is showing dominance toward you... and if hes a young bird he will settle down after he gets his harem in order.... But nows the time to take care of it...

deb

 

[bobbi-j]

Agreed. Time to fix that behavior now. When my chicks get old enough to be able to tell which are the cockerels, I start "training" them. I make them move away from me. I walk through them. I don't back down if one comes my way - instead, I walk briskly toward him. I move them away from the feed and water just because I can. Basically, I let them know that I am the boss. I don't turn my back on them as they start to mature. Not until I feel I can trust them. I couple of years ago, I had a beautiful buff rock cockerel that would give me the stink eye every now and again. Whenever I saw it, I'd walk at him and make him move. Every time. One day, I was nudging the last pullet into the run so I could lock up for the night, and of course she made a fuss. He came running toward me, I looked him in the eye, and suddenly he had important business to take care of on the other side of the run. It's like his little chicken-brain said, "Nope! Not gonna go there." (unfortunately he was killed that summer, apparently defending one of the hens) Some cockerels get it - especially if you start teaching them from early on that you're the boss. Some just don't, and you don't want those around. There are too many nice ones to put up with an aggressive one.

 

[Folly's place]

I raise my cockerels the same as bobbi-j; they must respect my space and move out of my way. Some cockerels are polite all the time, some take a little effort, and some are idiots who attack the giants who bring food every day. These last birds get invited to dinner! A bird who attacks people is dangerous and needs to go, before someone is hurt.
Mary

 

[birdofhermes]

my rooster likes it when people talk to him and give him hugs. not sure if he can distinguish between good or bad people so he will try to be scary to somebody who is standoffish

 

[Folly's place]

My roosters respect my space, and I respect theirs. They may get picked up for a specific reason, but not hugs!
We all have our little ways...
Mary

 

[Kennison Cota]

Don't let him come forward. He should always be facing away and keeping his distance. Often once they start attacking it can be hard to stop.

Never go into the run without a tool. My choice would be a fishing net to scoop him up. A broom or plastic rake can work, but scooping him up with the net, than leaving him set in it while you do your business will work to teach him to stay away from you.

Don't let him come forward. He should always be facing away and keeping his distance. Often once they start attacking it can be hard to stop.

Never go into the run without a tool. My choice would be a fishing net to scoop him up. A broom or plastic rake can work, but scooping him up with the net, than leaving him set in it while you do your business will work to teach him to stay away from you.

Thanks for the insights, love your profile pic btw, is he yours?

 

[Kennison Cota]

Welcome To BYC... I key in a word Like 00002.3Ahh. make it growly... then whak em with what ever you got in your hand... bucket or I just read someone uses a fly swatter...

The goal is not to hurt but to make an impression that its not acceptible 7to you... Pecking order should be humans first. using the Growly voice cue eventually will take over having to whack. Because sometimes they forget... LOL.

He is showing dominance toward you... and if hes a young bird he will settle down after he gets his harem in order.... But nows the time to take care of it...

deb

Thanks for the ideas.

 

[Kennison Cota]

Agreed. Time to fix that behavior now. When my chicks get old enough to be able to tell which are the cockerels, I start "training" them. I make them move away from me. I walk through them. I don't back down if one comes my way - instead, I walk briskly toward him. I move them away from the feed and water just because I can. Basically, I let them know that I am the boss. I don't turn my back on them as they start to mature. Not until I feel I can trust them. I couple of years ago, I had a beautiful buff rock cockerel that would give me the stink eye every now and again. Whenever I saw it, I'd walk at him and make him move. Every time. One day, I was nudging the last pullet into the run so I could lock up for the night, and of course she made a fuss. He came running toward me, I looked him in the eye, and suddenly he had important business to take care of on the other side of the run. It's like his little chicken-brain said, "Nope! Not gonna go there." (unfortunately he was killed that summer, apparently defending one of the hens) Some cockerels get it - especially if you start teaching them from early on that you're the boss. Some just don't, and you don't want those around. There are too many nice ones to put up with an aggressive one.

Thanks so much. I've been walking briskly at him every time I feel threatened, just to let him know that he's not the only one who can attack. It seems to be working. Sorry to hear about your rooster, they sure are pretty birds.