spiritually communicate with an agressive rooster???

[TheRoostergirl]

I too am a big animal lover and thought I could tame a mean-spirited rooster.  I tried everything and nothing worked.  The day he jumped up in my face and flogged me just missing my eye by an inch and laying my cheek open, I got rid of him immediately. 

My daughter took him and he was nice for a little while and then he started back with the nasty behavior.  Nature must have taken care of him once and for all, a predator must have had him for dinner one day because he disappeared forever.

this is diffrent i have retamed a rooster bfore and after that he was my best frend but its too difficult with this rooster coz hes not mine yet hes my frends right now

 

[speckledhen]

Did you know that temperament is an inherited trait? And that this male probably inherited his tendency to human aggression and that he will pass it on to most of his sons? When you are fighting genetics, you are fighting a losing battle. This goes for side sprigs on a comb, crooked toes, red bleed through color, but it just as much applies to temperament.

This is from my personal experience over the years: You can try everything in the book and if it's in his DNA to be this way, he will not change. You may make him afraid of you, but then, he will only become sneakier and attack when you are least expecting it. I've also found that the least intelligent males are the most aggressive ones, in general. The ones who bite (or flog) the hands that feed them are the ones who are not very bright and not prone to learning affection or even basic respecty. ALL my birds are handled as chicks, except the rare one that a broody tries to keep from me. Even then, we do make the attempt to get them used to being handled and inspected. When the males get to breeding age, I begin to back off and give them their space. It's time for them to step up to the plate and protect the flock, but a rooster should never protect the flock from his human caretakers (unless they are abusive, of course, but that's another situation). He must be intelligent enough to understand who is the enemy and who isn't. Some just don't have the brain cells to do that. I've had a rare couple that just could not learn that we were not the enemy, however, they were a rare exception because I keep only non-human aggressive males and breed from them. That has served us well in producing well-tempered roosters over the years. The mean ones don't get to propagate here.

*in all this, I'm speaking of the large fowl roosters who can do some damage if they attack you. The tiny Belgian D'Anver bantam males are generally known for their aggression. I've also seen they are generally pretty dumb. I do, however, have one friendly one and I've had one semi-friendly son of his as well*

By all means, try whatever you can, but do not be surprised if nothing works. He is probably not capable of changing his behavior, not in any real way.

Many breeders are not concerned with temperament of their males in general, they almost expect aggression from them, however, most backyard keepers don't like having to watch their backs in the chicken yard. I sure don't. I can't now that I have a compromised ankle and live on a rocky, root-ridden mountain property. A rooster surprising me could knock me off my feet and possibly lead to more broken bones. I try some things when they are younger and biting and rushing might be simple boundary-testing, but if they are mating the hens and it ramps up, they are outta here.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Did you know that temperament is an inherited trait? And that this male probably inherited his tendency to human aggression and that he will pass it on to most of his sons? When you are fighting genetics, you are fighting a losing battle. This goes for side sprigs on a comb, crooked toes, red bleed through color, but it just as much applies to temperament.

This is from my personal experience over the years: You can try everything in the book and if it's in his DNA to be this way, he will not change. You may make him afraid of you, but then, he will only become sneakier and attack when you are least expecting it. I've also found that the least intelligent males are the most aggressive ones, in general. The ones who bite (or flog) the hands that feed them are the ones who are not very bright and not prone to learning affection or even basic respecty. ALL my birds are handled as chicks, except the rare one that a broody tries to keep from me. Even then, we do make the attempt to get them used to being handled and inspected. When the males get to breeding age, I begin to back off and give them their space. It's time for them to step up to the plate and protect the flock, but a rooster should never protect the flock from his human caretakers (unless they are abusive, of course, but that's another situation). He must be intelligent enough to understand who is the enemy and who isn't. Some just don't have the brain cells to do that. I've had a rare couple that just could not learn that we were not the enemy, however, they were a rare exception because I keep only non-human aggressive males and breed from them. That has served us well in producing well-tempered roosters over the years. The mean ones don't get to propagate here.

*in all this, I'm speaking of the large fowl roosters who can do some damage if they attack you. The tiny Belgian D'Anver bantam males are generally known for their aggression. I've also seen they are generally pretty dumb. I do, however, have one friendly one and I've had one semi-friendly son of his as well*

By all means, try whatever you can, but do not be surprised if nothing works. He is probably not capable of changing his behavior, not in any real way.

AMEN!!!!!!! WELL SAID.

Do you ever have guests over to your house? Do you ever have children on your property? You're setting yourself up for a lot of pain and a big, fat lawsuit here when he takes someone's eye out (and I wish I was being facetious about that, but I'm not--I have a friend who almost lost an eye to a rooster when he was five years old).

There are thousands and thousands of sweet boys that are killed every single day simply because they are male. Save a boy who deserves it. I understand that you are identifying with this boy, but I don't think he's really the same as you. You might feel like an outcast and that's unfair, but he's made himself an outcast by being an all-around dangerous jerk. He did this to himself, he's not misunderstood. You're defending the thug here, not the victim.

 

[speckledhen]

AMEN!!!!!!! WELL SAID.

Do you ever have guests over to your house? Do you ever have children on your property? You're setting yourself up for a lot of pain and a big, fat lawsuit here when he takes someone's eye out (and I wish I was being facetious about that, but I'm not--I have a friend who almost lost an eye to a rooster when he was five years old).

There are thousands and thousands of sweet boys that are killed every single day simply because they are male. Save a boy who deserves it. I understand that you are identifying with this boy, but I don't think he's really the same as you. You might feel like an outcast and that's unfair, but he's made himself an outcast by being an all-around dangerous jerk. He did this to himself, he's not misunderstood. You're defending the thug here, not the victim.

That, my friend, is what I keep telling folks about allowing small children to play around their roosters. It's a very real tragedy every parent wants to avoid. Roosters are not dogs but like a dog who is nervous around kids, he can "bite" without warning.

 

[rancher hicks]

Well I can't argue with that.

My experience with aggressive roosters has been.

1. A BR who would flog me even though I chased him around yard and clock him now and then. BUT one day , I clocked him good, with a stick no more than 1/2-3/4" around. I caught him just right on the head and knocked him completely out. He went down and just laid there. I saw blood on his comb and thought I'd killed him. My heart sank. I picked him up and put him in the run and left him as he came around. Eventually he seemed okay but he never came at me again. I don't think he ever was the same and I got no fertilized eggs from him. I lost him this summer.

I did hatch one hen from him and believe it or not she is aggressive. She would come at me for scratch.

2. I had two Blk Orp roos and while they never came at me one of them did my wife and granddaughter. I never let them in the yard with them.

3. Now I have a Birchen Maran rooster and he has caught me more than once. While I have his father who has never been aggressive. I now carry a stick with me when I got out to tend to them. He will go as soon as I have replacements and can choose one or two like his father. While they are good layers for some reason I have a difficult time hatching so I have to leave that to the broodies.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

That, my friend, is what I keep telling folks about allowing small children to play around their roosters. It's a very real tragedy every parent wants to avoid. Roosters are not dogs but like a dog who is nervous around kids, he can "bite" without warning.

My heart always sinks when a person talks about their children holding their rooster.

We've had a bunch of roosters, but any boy that shows aggression is gone. Even though our current group of boys has never shown any human aggression, not even when young and stupid, my kids are not allowed to go into the hen house alone.

People forget that roosters are the same as a bull or a stallion, and have the same drives. I've had a stallion before and my family kept bulls for many years, and no matter how sweet the boy is, you never, ever trust him completely. My father always said that the bull or the stallion is the king, and must be treated with the respect and deference you'd show a king.

(My wonderful boy never bit or kicked me, but he did take me through a fence once when we were out for a ride and he smelled some mares in heat. Still have the scars.)

 

[sumi]

A few weeks ago a member posted a pic on a thread I participate on, of her child after a rooster got her in the face. It came very close to taking that child's eye out.

I myself got attacked by a neighbour's lunatic rooster when I was around 5yo. It scratched the crud out of my legs. Thinking back on that incident I'm amazed that I love poultry so much now.

A few years ago one of my roosters pecked me in the face, it got my on my lower lip and it's beak went right through my lip, hitting a tooth so hard that it ached for awhile afterwards.

Another rooster pecked my in the eye once from a close range... I do not wish that pain on my worst enemy.

Roosters can be wonderful flock members and pets. I've had one that was as gentle as a puppy, endlessly patient, wonderful with the hens and great with my son, who could do anything to it without getting flogged. But a human aggressive rooster won't stay long in my flock, no. Been there, done that, got the scars, thank you. Eat him and if you don't eat chicken, give him to someone who will. Hanging on to an rooster that will not change his ways is simply not worth it. I tried, I learned.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

He may be traumatized so much already that he is a lost cause, but try this:

Build a small stall about 18X18X18 inches square with a wooden door that has two gaps wide enough for the roo to stick his head and neck through to eat and drink from the feed and water cups that you hang on the door. The other 5 sides of the stall should be solid 1/4 inch plywood. Make sure the stall is in a location were the rooster can't see his hens. Take him out of this stall twice every day and massage or stroke his back and just generally hold him. Half of an apple or orange for him to peck or bite instead of pecking you is also a good idea. You need to show him that your not out to hurt him or to sexually molest his hens. Oh by the way, did I mention that roosters are not very smart? Anyway never retaliate against a lowdown rooster or you will only confirm his belief that you are some wingless hen molesting monster.

Also look up ... new born baby chick imprinting ... to see how well it describes your rooster's first five months with you. If he did imprint on you, to him you are just another flock member, one who has yet to recognize his supremacy, or top spot in the pecking order. If this is true he will meet you at the coop door with his fighting blood up every time you go into his run. Oh by the way, did I mention that roosters are not very smart?

 

[rancher hicks]

Now there are some breeds nicer than others and I'm not bragging when I say my Del roosters are easy going.

I'm also not above praying for my chickens. Seems to me if God takes concern over one sparrow that falls he's just as concerned over my chickens.

Course if one is full of the devil I'm also not above wringing his neck.

(not meaning really full of the devil but you get the idea)

 

[azygous]

Roostergirl, I think the "spiritual connection" you may be searching for would be chicken psychology. If you can understand what makes a rooster mean and aggressive, you may be able to learn to control and tame him.

First of all, a mean rooster is afraid and doesn't trust anyone. He's not going to just let you pick him up. You need to earn his trust first. If your friend who owns him will give him to you, the first thing you need to do is place him in a crate or cage in a very quiet place, away from all other chickens, especially hens. Provide him with water for a day or two, but no food. You can visit him and talk calmly to him, but don't try to touch him. The purpose of this is to constrict the size of his world, calm him down, and demonstrate to him that he is completely under your control and dominance, but that he's safe, and no harm will come to him.

At the end of the second day, open the door to the cage and offer him some food from your hand. Best to wear a thick glove, just in case he wants to bite. If he refuses to eat, leave and try again next morning or a few hours later. When he's hungry, he'll begin to eat from your hand.

I warn you, it may take quite a long time to tame him. He needs to learn that you are to be trusted to provide him with food, and giving it to him from your hand teaches him to associate good things with you. Gradually, while he's eating from your hand, touch him gently. He will be startled at first, but keep doing it until he can be touched while eating and not flinch.

That's only the beginning. Once he's eating from your hand and allows himself to be touched, you can try picking him up and walking around with him. He needs to learn that you are the boss, in control of him, but that he can trust you.

After a couple weeks in a cage or very, very small pen, you can move him to a larger enclosure, but no hens should be within sight of him. He needs time to relax and learn that he doesn't need to be aggressive.

You'll have to play it by ear when to move him in with other chickens, if you have them. It might be simpler if you don't, if you just keep him for a pet with no other chickens around. If he's exposed to hens, he may try to dominate you, fearing you'll not let him have access to the hens.

The important thing will be if he suddenly starts to show aggression again, coming at you, trying to flog or peck or bite you. You will need to immediately stand your ground and discipline him by pushing him to the ground and holding his head down until he's still. Sometimes pinching the skin on the back of his neck will send a strong message that he must accept your dominance over him. Usually, once or twice, and he won't try it again.

You have to prepare yourself to accept that he may have aggressive genes, and no amount of taming will change his behavior. But I certainly agree with you that a mean rooster should be given a chance to be tamed before he is killed. I have seen some pretty dramatic changes in the behaviors of both problem roosters and hens. Some that would have been killed have turned out to be the most gentle and intelligent pets. But it will take commitment and plenty of time and work on your part.