Runaway Rooster

[TwoCrows]

Thank you all so much. I investigated around my neighborhood most of the day yesterday. One neighbor looked on their security cameras & yesterday morning a stray dog came in my gates & went around behind my house where Fog Horn was. I'm assuming he flew over my fence because he was gone. I drove around talking to people in that direction leaving my phone number. I got a phone call last night that he came out of the woods that join my property & some more dogs got him. I am so upset. I have never had a dog issue before. What are some chicken types that have good temperaments? I want a docile one but it'll never replace my dear Fog Horn.

Oh I am so so sorry about Fog Horn.

I hope your heavy heart can heal soon.

 

[Wattle Queen]

I got another RIR yesterday. He's 4 months old & is skittish. I held him & petted all over him about 30 minutes after I got him home. After he roosted I pet him about 4 times & he'd peck me. How can I stop the skittishness & pecking?

 

[TwoCrows]

I got another RIR yesterday. He's 4 months old & is skittish. I held him & petted all over him about 30 minutes after I got him home. After he roosted I pet him about 4 times & he'd peck me. How can I stop the skittishness & pecking?

He is probably pecking at you because is is afraid. So I would stop touching him until he has time to relax and settle in. It can take birds weeks to relax in their new homes. So try not to pick him up for a few weeks unless it is necessary. Keep the stress down around the coop. It helps to go sit with him each day, bring some goodies with you so he knows you mean him no harm. Most chickens do not like to be petted. They can enjoy a good lap sitting secession with you, but not touched much, so keep this in mind.

So give him time to relax and over time he should get less skittish. Keep him locked up in the coop and run for the first week so he doesn't run away like the last one. This will teach him where home is if he sleeps in safety in his own coop.

Good luck with your new bird!!