Hope this thread is still alive because I want to chime in since my guy (Mattie) has shown some aggresion toward me in just the last two days.
As I posted in another topic I received a new pair of chickens. Well it seems Mattie took offense to this and bit me on the leg as I tried to enter the newcomers yard. This happened for the second time last night, well I used Cynthia's approach and grabbed him and carried him around for about 45 min., totally docile. Picked him up again this morning and held him for about 15 min. We'll see what happens tonight.
Mattie is a awesome roo, protective of all his girls and gererally mellow. I will give him ample oppurtunity to adjust to the changes in his flock. BUT not to the point where a child or adult for that matter would be in danger. My grandgirls know to avoid Mattie and my one grand daughter simply charged him when he jumped at her, he ran away like a big baby LOL.
I have raised Macaws in the past and I know from experience when they sexually mature you can really have your hands full, I had a mature pair, THAT was dangerous. You are dealing with a bird that can crush small body parts with it's beak if so inclined (and during breeding season they are generally so inclined LOL!), and their talons are nothing to sneeze at either. (my pair are now in a breeding program and I so miss them
)
So I guess we should remember that we ARE dealling with a animal. Something that has thousands of years of programming (instinct) in that little brain of theirs.
Although in all fairness to us humans it is hard (as is evidence by this very board!!) to not attach ourselves to something so darn cute, fun and yes to some extent intelligent.
I figure to each his own, deal or don't deal with your roo, just don't take what they do personally.
This may sound really terrible but I'm just glad they taste really good, if it comes to that
.
Kim