Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[TropicalChickies]

formally they aren't the same. Culling means removing from the flock; killing is one way of doing that, but selling it on is another, and it's not always obvious that even the rooster-domineering people are using the word as a euphemism for killing.

Ah, thank you. I didn't know that. I've often seen "cull" used where the intent to kill was pretty clear so I assumed it was a euphemism. Thank you for clarifying.

 

[fluffycrow]

The first rooster (actually cockerel because he was under a year old) I had was very protective to girls. I did have to do something to change his behaviour towards the bringer of food. I don’t appreciate getting attacked.

Reading about how you can learn him his place in the bigger household (i don’t mean the flock/or tribe) was to grab him and put his shoulders to the ground for 30 seconds.

It worked, and I would do it again if I had had a cockerel like that and not knowing another way to change his behaviour.
I’m not a rooster whisperer. And I dont have two hours every day to sit with the chickens. If you know another way, please tell me. But otherwise I need to dominate my next cockerel too if he shows such stupid behaviour.

PS

I read this after my posting. Thanks for explaining.

Yeah, sorry I should've clarified that from the start. In no way am I trying to shame or discredit people who have tried these techniques. My main issue is with people wanting dominion over every animal on their property. That's just not how animals are. Both sides will get hurt in the end (though one muche more gravely). I have tried said techniques with my first ever male, including chasing him with a stick. In my case, it didn't work in the slightest. IMO, these techniques are very rarely successful. Not something I'd ever try again. That being said, I will not shame anyone who uses these techniques in order to feel safe, and I'm sorry if it sounded that way. Who I will shame is people who will pounce on any behavior they deem unacceptable, thinking it's a dominance thing, in other words, people who feel that they always need to be dominant over their animals

 

[Somewhere_In_The_Clouds]

Here's my "aggressive" rooster, don't tell anyone about him

Rodney isn't even outright aggressive, 90% of days I can walk around the paddock and do evening lock up/ feeding without incident. I just need to be aware of where he is, what I'm doing, and how he's behaving. Whenever he is out ranging and not in a pen I am extremely cautious about who is allowed to enter the paddock, I'm ok with possibly being hurt but am not going to allow some else to be and never a child!

 

[MrsNorthie]

I think it's really cool that some of you like @fluffycrow have affectionate bonds with their roosters, but as s long as these ladies get this kind of attention, I really don't care if Lucio ever hugs me

Our dominant male has been watching the other 2 boys gladly and gently taking treats from my hand and getting little grooming like pats, and has finally started coming over and getting hand fed. I have been working to make sure I throw the treats to him to distribute to the ladies, over the last several weeks, he calls them over to eat, then moves a little and instructs me where to throw the next handful and I oblige. It is working and I am thrilled. He doesn't get upset when some of the girls still jump up in my lap for cuddles, and everyone is more relaxed and peaceful.

 

[fluffycrow]

True, I don't mean to underestimate the danger and strong possibility of harm. Lucio's probably more like 12 lbs now, and certainly he could hurt a person. But to put it in perspective, speaking of Jakes, I had a great-uncle Jake who was a butcher. He walked with a pronounced limp because he tossed by a bull and broke his pelvis. Lucky not to have been killed. A bull is a really dangerous animal. Some folks act like they are going in like matadors to the bullring every time their rooster gets "too close" to them.

And you know, I'm thinking that might be another sign of just how disconnected hyper-civilization has made people in general. On some deep level, we crave that good burst of adrenaline, some extreme situation, some danger to keep us on our toes, to get the blood flowing more strongly in the veins. In the colonial era, there were Europeans stomping over the African savannas shooting lions. Now there's software developers who take single engine planes to remote mountains to snowboard. Insurance actuaries who decide to train for the Ironman. And backyard chicken keepers who secretly relish logging in to a forum to report that they had a near brush with death-by -rooster before their morning latte.

Which is kind of funny. Or would be if so many roosters weren't demonized for being exactly who they are.
View attachment 3597541
I think it's really cool that some of you like @fluffycrow have affectionate bonds with their roosters, but as s long as these ladies get this kind of attention, I really don't care if Lucio ever hugs me

Oh trust me, all my other males don't like me quite as much. Kolovos can barely look at me without barfing. But Big Red is special, so was his brother. I don't think they'll ever be a male that could replace him. After I let them out of their coop, the second thing he does is either come right up to me expecting a scritch on his beak, comb, face and wattles, or fly onto my arm. I do not expect this behavior from any of my males, after all they've got girls to look after, but it is really magical to have that close bond. His size makes it even more magical, for me

 

[TropicalChickies]

Here's my "aggressive" rooster, don't tell anyone about him
View attachment 3597564View attachment 3597565
Rodney isn't even outright aggressive, 90% of days I can walk around the paddock and do evening lock up/ feeding without incident. I just need to be aware of where he is, what I'm doing, and how he's behaving. Whenever he is out ranging and not in a pen I am extremely cautious about who is allowed to enter the paddock, I'm ok with possibly being hurt but am not going to allow some else to be and never a child!

Many mammals that prey on chickens are child sized. In addition to often being loud, unpredictable, or trying to "pet" them, this could be another reason why chickens in general often get more alarmed around kids.

 

[TropicalChickies]

Yeah, sorry I should've clarified that from the start. In no way am I trying to shame or discredit people who have tried these techniques. My main issue is with people wanting dominion over every animal on their property. That's just not how animals are. Both sides will get hurt in the end (though one muche more gravely). I have tried said techniques with my first ever male, including chasing him with a stick. In my case, it didn't work in the slightest. IMO, these techniques are very rarely successful. Not something I'd ever try again. That being said, I will not shame anyone who uses these techniques in order to feel safe, and I'm sorry if it sounded that way. Who I will shame is people who will pounce on any behavior they deem unacceptable, thinking it's a dominance thing, in other words, people who feel that they always need to be dominant over their animals

I think I get what you mean. I've read some attitudes expressed as "It's my yard/farm and I'm the boss." "I'm not going to be afraid to walk around in my own garden." "I provide the feed/space etc, so they have to respect me." Etc. It's like when exasperated parents say to their kids, "As long as you live in this house, you live by my rules!" But an animal isn't an unruly child or a rebellious teenager. They are just doing their own thing. It has very little, if anything, to do with us and how we want things to be. They don't make contracts with us and, unlike children, they aren't completely dependent on us either. It's very strange to my way of thinking to assume that animals with their own instincts, social systems, and language would automatically think, "if I eat this food they are throwing at me, I'm their slave."

Sadly, it's the people who really believe in their right to dominate who are controlling pretty much everything right now. The rest of us are here chattering about why we love our feral roosters and broody mama hens.

Speaking of broodies, little Dusty has gotten into a nice flow with her sit. After a rocky first two days, now she's staying off the nest for two short spells a day, eating two full meals, and dust bathing in damp soil just like she should. Then she goes right back to her nest. She's also moving and turning her eggs throughout the day and I can hear her cooing to them. This is her debut sit and I'm super proud of how well she's doing. She has 3 good eggs, so I'm really hoping for a nice little hatch.

Dusty, getting dusty in the bath

Are you going to clean my beak or what?

 

[no fly zone]

I have often wondered how it would have went if Skeksis had been a rooster. Would probably still be alive.

 

[TropicalChickies]

I have often wondered how it would have went if Skeksis had been a rooster. Would probably still be alive.

It is so sad how hens often die fairly young from reproductive system issues and infections. But if Skeksis was a rooster, it's very likely your relationship would have been very different as well.

 

[Perris]

Assuming you mean the two hens in the post, they are not residents. They visit from time to time, usually when their keeper (the Russian) wants a second opinion, or some help treating something.

how lovely! And how nice to see them all roosting together for a sleepover