Start off right with your rooster; respect their status.

[Yazzo]

Perhaps not superior, but just not a threat? This is the approach I take my with roos too. They all mate in front of me and I don't stop them. I am not there to be head roo, that is their job. My job is to provide food and shelter and care. I have always thought that giving them a kick every time they go past me would be counter-productive.

That certainly is very likely what it is. In fact, I think that's the word I was looking for.....
That's a fine way to go about it, but I think joebryant calling other techniques 'nonsense' is very unfair: if you have a unstable rooster, your kind of plan can often backfire, as he will take advantage of, maybe not you, but other people he's not used to. Little kids could be in danger with a rooster like that. As long as he's fine though, keep doin what you're doin. Sounds like you just have a good rooster.....many people though, have roosters that would be aggressive if they would just treat him like the leader.
And you're right Highlander: kicking would be VERY counterproductive.

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

Very interesting discussion! I don't have a ton of experience with roosters (we can't have any in our city). It will be interesting to hear the thoughts of others as they try this approach!

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Really makes sense to me.

Of course, I can't have roosters so I'll have to live vicariously. Thanks for sharing this.

 

[Yazzo]

I wrote a very long thread talking about how to deal with an aggressive rooster (https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=390911), and your technique is one that can be used, but as I said, ONLY if you have a very calm rooster. Your technique is not for everyone......even if your rooster is very calm, he could still, as I said, be aggressive towards people he's not used to.

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
My preface was/is "Start off right with your rooster..." I've no doubt whatsoever that if I ever get in a hurry and mess up, he could change very quickly. It's been more than a year though, and so far, so good.

ETA Neither rooster has ever shown aggression towards the many people, adults and children, who have been close to them.

 

[Yazzo]

Quote:
My preface was/is "Start off right with your rooster..." I've no doubt whatsoever that if I ever get in a hurry and mess up, he could change very quickly. It's been more than a year though, and so far, so good.

Well that's what I said. It works for you, probably because your rooster is quite calm. It doesn't work with every rooster, or every person though. Just your confidence probably helps a lot in keeping him from thinking of you as a threat.

 

[Terri O]

I love having roosters around with my hens. I probably have way too many boys but I guess I just like how they look, sound and act! I have never had one be aggressive with me; in fact, people often ask me if I can take their aggressive birds into my flock. I usually say yes (see reason above) and dont ever have a problem with them. I always wondered why this was...I think it is just as has been said in this thread...I let them do what roosters do. They have plenty of room to get away from each other if need be. Sometimes there are quarrels and sometimes even a bit of bloodshed but they do work it out...and I LET them! I do my thing and they do theirs. (and my eggs are ALWAYS fertile!)

Terri O

 

[Yazzo]

Quote:
Whoohoo! A rooster saver!

Anyways, I think that a big part of the reason they don't attack you is the fact that you're not scared of them. You don't see them as a threat and they don't see you as one.

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
My preface was/is "Start off right with your rooster..." I've no doubt whatsoever that if I ever get in a hurry and mess up, he could change very quickly. It's been more than a year though, and so far, so good.

Well that's what I said. It works for you, probably because your rooster is quite calm. It doesn't work with every rooster, or every person though. Just your confidence probably helps a lot in keeping him from thinking of you as a threat.

Neither you nor I are chicken psychologist. You might be right, but you have no way of knowing if my rooster is "calm" anymore than I do if "It doesn't work with every rooster..." because you don't know the histories of their treatments. Also, you're presumptuous, having no way of knowing what my rooster is thinking about my "confidence".

 

[Yazzo]

Did I EVER say that I was a chicken psychologist????? No. I'm just speaking from years of experience. I've had more roosters than I can count, so I think I know a little on the subject. I respect your opinion, I'm just offering my thoughts, so I wish you would respect my opinion at least a little.
I don't know what your rooster is thinking, but I do know a least some things about rooster behavior.