roughly smacked / handled my rooster

[babychickens321]

im not very clear at explaining so sorry about that, but one more thing is that if my hand is near him he pecks (at night, not in the day even if my hand is there) he doesnt go out of his way to hunt me down and peck me

 

[Nyhillbillies]

Used Wooden pallets are an option as a frame to build on. They’re quite inexpensive.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

im not very clear at explaining so sorry about that, but one more thing is that if my hand is near him he pecks (at night, not in the day even if my hand is there) he doesnt go out of his way to hunt me down and peck me

That sounds like he's doing head counts and trying to get everyone safe and counted.

Are the hens crying when he pecks or do they just accept it with silence/grumbles?

 

[Nyhillbillies]

Perhaps try to peck him back? I occasionally do for the males I hope to keep if they start getting big heads. They peck someone and I tap their face to get their attention, but not super hard. If they try to peck someone harder or are mean and grabbing amd making then other bird cry, I gently tug a few of their neck feathers until they let go.

Doesn't always work, but it does enough I feel it's worth continuing to practice

As is sometimes the case-you have to get their attention first!

 

[babychickens321]

There’s lots of coop design ideas here on this site. Depending on your temperature ranges, can go from super simple to the opposite.
The goal is safety from predators.

thanks very much, i will look here when i get the chance. we’ve planned a super simple coop, just a coop no run. its a simple recrangle coop with a slanted roof. although the roof seems so DIFFICULT to do

 

[babychickens321]

Perhaps try to peck him back? I occasionally do for the males I hope to keep if they start getting big heads. They peck someone and I tap their face to get their attention, but not super hard. If they try to peck someone harder or are mean and grabbing amd making then other bird cry, I gently tug a few of their neck feathers until they let go.

Doesn't always work, but it does enough I feel it's worth continuing to practice

thank you so much

 

[babychickens321]

That sounds like he's doing head counts and trying to get everyone safe and counted.

Are the hens crying when he pecks or do they just accept it with silence/grumbles?

they make squawks sometimes and try to hide under him or the other chickens

 

[DonyaQuick]

He is a very good roo most of the time, and bever pecks me except at night!

but one more thing is that if my hand is near him he pecks (at night, not in the day even if my hand is there)

I may not be understanding the full extent of things here, but these two things stood out to me. If "good" means non-aggressive to you and then hens...how much light is there when you are putting everyone inside? If it's very little light, your roo could easily just be freaking out because it's dark, stuff's moving around, and he can't really tell what's going on. You could try getting everyone in earlier when there's a little more light or adding a small coop light to use until everyone is put inside.

 

[BelovedBirds]

That sounds like he's doing head counts and trying to get everyone safe and counted.

Are the hens crying when he pecks or do they just accept it with silence/grumbles?

Excellent point!

@babychickens321 If it is aggression, I imagine it could be a space issue. He may be bothered about it being cramped. Thats just my guess

 

[babychickens321]

I may not be understanding the full extent of things here, but these two things stood out to me. If "good" means non-aggressive to you and then hens...how much light is there when you are putting everyone inside? If it's very little light, your roo could easily just be freaking out because it's dark, stuff's moving around, and he can't really tell what's going on. You could try getting everyone in earlier when there's a little more light or adding a small coop light to use until everyone is put inside.

they go in when its a little dark but you can still see clearly. ill put them in earlier tomorrow, then