Secrets for taming roosters?

[stonecottagefarm]

I've had a bit a bad luck with roosters the last three years. They all seem to want to eat me. I have read about MANY methods and most of them contradict each other. The roosters rarely attack my husband, so clearly I have to take this personally and make this all about me. lol. Okay, not really but since we are going to start raising and breeding chickens full time, I need to get a handle on this. I came across this article that talks about taming roosters. Just wondering if anyone has tried this method.... I am going to try it today. But it got me wondering if there are other little secrets out there about chickens and roosters that I don't know about?

here is the link: http://hubpages.com/hub/Taming-Wild-Roosters

Also, I just got a beautiful Ameraucana rooster yesterday from another breeder and she has said he is tamed. I am concerned that my obvious anti-rooster pheremones will rub of on him and he'll turn mean. So I need all the help I can get. So far, the only method that seems to work is to NOT be mean (seems to just make them want to challenge me more) and to simply use a broom to establish their distance from me. Also, not letting them eat while I feed the hens seem to work too. But it only works for about a week and then they want to take me on again. It's tiresome since I usually have a 20 month daughter in tow and it makes us more vulnerable. Now this new rooster I have. I need to know what to do to prevent him from turning mean on me. I don't want to botch this.

Thank you!

 

[schellie69]

First do not act scared of the rooster in any way. Spring is a bad time for roosters they seem to have a big swing in hormones. If your new rooster is in his own pen with no hens I am assuming since you just got him he is in quarantine, This is the time to show that you are in charge. Do not fear him and go about your chores. When you do introduce him to his females make sure he knows that you are in charge and walk into the pen do you job pet the hens at first if he tries to mate while you are there don't let him it shows that you are the boss. Good luck.

 

[axion_lotus]

Well, first,

I am Axion, and I will try to assist you in this matter, to the best of my knowledge and ability.

Some roosters are more aggressive depending on his breed. Some breeds are said to be more aggressive than others. Ameraucanas are a pretty good overall choice as far as breed temperament goes, so you made a good choice on that. For this same reason I purchased an Easter-Egger cockerel and am raising him with my pullets. I'm still hoping for the best on this one.

However, if there's anything I've learned in the past five years, it's this: chickens are, first and foremost individuals, and rules are meant to be broken.

Truth is, you could try your absolute hardest, try every little thing in the book, do everything 100% right, and by the time your rooster is a year old he could still go crazy and be a mean little SOB. With roosters, there's always that chance. It's a gamble no matter what you do. Believe me, when my little roo Leon did this, is was horrible.

There is a time window, usually, for when this happens. During six months to one year of age is the typical turning point for roo behavior. After about a year and a half, if your little roo is still being a good boy, then there's a good chance that everything will be alright.

If your roo does turn mean, then it's best to cull him. Selling him probably won't do any good if his temperament is crappy; you don't want to dump a mean rooster off onto someone else (unless the person you're selling him to just wants to make chicken and dumplings out of him). If you're cool with the thought of the mean rooster being eaten, then selling him will be fine, of course.

As for me, a mean rooster has no place in my flock, and if he doesn't shape up (which, nine times out of ten, they don't), he's dinner. In order to protect my hens, I will do whatever I must to protect them, whether it be from raccoon, possum, cat, dog, or a bad-tempered rooster.

Sorry if I'm a bit verbose on the matter. My heart goes out to you, and good luck with your rooster. May he be kind and loving to his harem.

 

[Pinky]

Roosters can sense if you fear them or not. Don't let him intimidate you.

Oh. and I think that method in your link might work. I do something similar, but I hold their head down,instead of pulling the beak down. You still have to spend alot of time with your birds to keep them in line

 

[Okie Amazon]

Sounds like you are starting off intimidated, using a broom to "keep the distance". That is setting yourself up as a victim!

 

[galanie]

There's a guy that posts here with a very interesting blog about chicken behavior and taming roosters. Even if you don't use his methods it should be an interesting read: http://olychickenguy.blogspot.com/

 

[stonecottagefarm]

hank for the responses! Will check out the links. I got the broom idea from yet another rooster article somewhere. I use the broom as he does his wings. To keep him away from the hens when I feed them, etc. He actually respects it and keeps his distance. I never hit him with it and I can remain really calm an composed with it. My small daughter will carry it and he keeps his distance, another advantage. The only problem is I don't always remember to walk with it and he seems to respect the broom, not me. lol. It's like I said, all the rooster taming experts contradict each other.

We're going to have to get rid of one Crevecour (sp?) rooster that is relentlessly mean. I'll keep working on my hynotizing skills and try carrying the others around with their heads down. Tried that today and it went over very well.

One other question, what do you do when they crow at you? Are you supposed to crow/yell back?

 

[azygous]

I applaud you for caring enough about your little roo to try to master him. There are a number of rooster-taming strategies, and they will work according to your level of commitment and consistency. Your mind set should not waver from "I'm in charge of this rooster, not him!" Also, it really is a cruel myth that so-called bad roos need to be culled.

It's your choice as to what method you choose to follow, but I recommend highly olychickenguy's chicken psychology. It works. He's recently helped me with my two ten-month old cockerels, Penrod and Darrel. These two are at opposite ends of rooster problem children. One was so timid he would have a complete shrieking meltdown if I so much as tried to touch him. The other one, Penrod, is a huge Brahma and he would take big chunks of flesh out of my hide with his massive beak. Both have responded astonishingly well to oly's methods, which involve some very close handling but absolutely no punishing violence. Darrel is now eating from my hand and Penrod is mostly a fine gentleman these days.

Good luck, but remember you're in charge and don't be afraid of your roo.

 

[Tressa27884]

Is there a specific breed of Rooster that is 'more' friendly? My RIR is great with me, but has no hesitation about going after my kids (11&2), so he's cooped when they're out. He's good with the dogs and cats......but I'm considering another type of Roo as I really want one that I can trust with everybody.

Tressa

 

[MadChickensVT]

They're like dogs. Never allow your rooster to display aggression of any kind toward you. If it flaps it's wings when you approach, show it who's boss. Our is very good overall, but he's tested his limits a few times. I usually just march right toward him and he backs off, but if he doesn't a good shove with my boot reminds him of his place. If he ever attacks my daughter he'll be dinner.