Ruined, beyond hope cockerel? *Graphic Photos*

[Shadrach]

No, it's about not letting young chicks, especially roosters bond to humans so they become confused about the human being apart of the flock, instead of a separate entity. My roosters don't feel the need to dominate me, because I am not apart of the flock.

Your point about the ambiguity of the human in relation to the rooster’s perception of the world has some merit. Hens don’t seem to have that problem though…….I would have thought this ambiguity would be species specific, not just to the males.

I have had a lot of roosters here. Some I’ve had as orphans and consequently they may have thought I was a flock or tribe member. They don’t flog me, or attack me. Others have similar experiences. There may be some merit in the argument that some roosters are just more aggressive towards humans than others. I’ve had those too.

It’s about how you the human interact with the rooster that’s the key.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

When I used to handle and pet my roosters about 1/3 to 1/2 became aggressive. Since I have taken a hands off approach to them, I see zero aggression, no matter the breed.

So with handling you have a shot that your rooster will remain respectful, but I prefer to give them all a chance so I can judge them on other merits.

I also don't like living my life looking for the roosters and what they might do to me. I have chickens for enjoyment, not to terrorize me.

I currently have 11 adult roosters and 5 juvenile. I like my roosters.

 

[Shadrach]

When I used to handle and pet my roosters about 1/3 to 1/2 became aggressive. Since I have taken a hands off approach to them, I see zero aggression, no matter the breed.

So with handling you have a shot that your rooster will remain respectful, but I prefer to give them all a chance so I can judge them on other merits.

I also don't like living my life looking for the roosters and what they might do to me. I have chickens for enjoyment, not to terrorize me.

I currently have 11 adult roosters and 5 juvenile. I like my roosters.

I agree in general that certain types of handling when rooster are young is likely to cause problems later so we're on the same page with that. This seems to be the most common problem here. The post usaully starts off with my rooster used to like cuddles and he was my favorite pet boy etc etc. You don't need to read any more....you know the end of the story.......one more dead rooster.
My view is the stories don't have to end like that.

 

[Grits&Eggs]

UGH - I didn't realize I had a rooster, he got as much loving as the others, last week he started crowing now he is 20 weeks and still loving - but, it sounds like I am in trouble....

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Raise them right and you don't have to kill them. I can't be some special chicken guru who's roosters are all wonderful just because. It's in the way i take a hands off approach. I also just respect the animal for what it is. I have dogs for petting and cuddling.

There's a reason chickens are considered livestock. Hens you can get away with more personal behaviors, but roosters are driven by hormones. They don't always make smart decisions, they just react. I prefer to stay out of that equation. If I ever were to get an aggressive one again, that would be one stupid rooster best made into roast chicken.

 

[Shadrach]

UGH - I didn't realize I had a rooster, he got as much loving as the others, last week he started crowing now he is 20 weeks and still loving - but, it sounds like I am in trouble....

Not necessarily. But you may need to adjust your expectations regarding his behaviour towards you and adjust your behaviour towards him.

 

[KentuckyRooster]

I disagree vehemently that if you coddle a Roo he's going to turn. I raise roosters all the time and I hold and coddle every one of them. They're good boys bred to be sweet and gentle and they absolutely are.
Genetics dictates it. You get a quality bird, you can coddle him pet him and raise him in your shirt pocket and he'd NEVER attack you. Bad breeding, especially hatchery birds, are the problem here. Get a bad bird, he's gonna kick you when you aren't looking no matter how you raise it.

 

[Mimi13]

Okay, I’ve got cha. With that being explained then, my cockerel should have absolutely no reason to think my back deck is his, he has NEVER even been down there. Correct? However, it is funny to watch him slowly make his way to the deck steps like he’s gonna come on down onto the deck. Darn bird.

You're still stuck on the wrong idea of space. It's not a specificaly defined zone.
It's your right to be where he is. It doesn't matter where that is.[/QUOTE]
Hopefully my next male, be it cockerel or rooster, will not have a problem with me or anyone else being wherever we want to be. But as far as this one is concerned, he is toast. I’m tired of him being in my territory.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I disagree vehemently that if you coddle a Roo he's going to turn. I raise roosters all the time and I hold and coddle every one of them. They're good boys bred to be sweet and gentle and they absolutely are.
Genetics dictates it. You get a quality bird, you can coddle him pet him and raise him in your shirt pocket and he'd NEVER attack you. Bad breeding, especially hatchery birds, are the problem here. Get a bad bird, he's gonna kick you when you aren't looking no matter how you raise it.

There is a genetic component to aggression, and there's a handling component. You can breed aggression out of a line. But most folks get their roosters from the hatchery or feed store where traits like that aren't selected for.

You can change the outcome of a rooster through your early handling of them. That's what I'm saying. It's a nature versus nurture situation.

Too many folks on this site baby their young roosters only to have them turn on them at sexual maturity. I'm just trying to help people see that there can be a different way and outcome. I never said every handled rooster turns aggressive.

Those from breeding lines are often very meek and can be babied. In no way am I making any absolutes. A fearful owner will often change the outcome sometimes too, so there are many factors that affect the eventual adult behaviors in a rooster.

I always say what works for me may not work for others and vice versa. It also helps to understand chicken behaviors and to observe how they communicate to each other through body language. It allows you to see the subtle things that goes on with a young rooster before his behaviors reaches the flogging point.

 

[EggWalrus]

Too bad it's too far from Dothan to Centre or I'd come up and help you eat that Bad Bird!