Strange Rooster Behavior. Is this normal??

[MissChick@dee]

I have learned from my own experiences that if a cocktail show this behavior at 4 months of age he’s only going to get bigger & stonger & wiser to your “rehabilitation” methods. God bless the Roo’s that are born sweet.
* dang autocorrect *

 

[Folly's place]

Four month old cocktails would be pretty scary too!
Mary

 

[MissChick@dee]

Lol perhaps that was subliminal autocorrect

 

[llombardo]

Carrying him around is great, but just try to catch him to do that--ha, that is a work out in itself. When I put the no crow collars on mine I had to check them, so dummy me chased them every morning, until I figured out grabbing them at night to check was much easier.

In the case of pecking feet, I would redirect before he pecks the feet. I would have his favorite treat and have it ready to toss in the opposite direction as soon as he is about to come out. Timing will be everything. You don't want to give treats adyer he pecks because that is re-enforcing the behavior.

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

Thank you everyone! This is very helpful. I will toss out a treat as soon as he leaves the coop, BEFORE he has pecked me. And if he does full on attack me, should I just move him away or what? I have been walking straight through the flock, and not moving around them. Honestly, I think I am seeing a bit of behavior improvement from the big guy. Hopefully it lasts!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

should I just move him away or what?

Moving away will show him he is dominant or you are scared, So I wouldn't do that. Other birds who aren't worried will stand their ground.

There is no real reason to be uncomfortable over Bee's suggestions. Some are really good...

Sometimes I do smack the ground next to a boy. I usually employ it when they are being relentless to another bird to put the chaser on the run. And change their focus.

Changing their focus (redirecting) seems to be key... is what I am gathering from this conversation. And I have learned that is true in my dogs and many kids as well. So the important thing here is finding a redirection that works with roosters.

Many stand by the whole carrying them around thing. I've never tried. I also agree that a rooster doesn't feel shame.

The one thing carrying them might do.. is express that we interact on MY terms and not the roosters. No way in heck could I easily catch any of my stags. So I guess for handling I would choose at roost time. Do basic handling/inspection that doesn't hurt and return them while they aren't struggling. NO chicken gets put down while they are freaking out. I always wait until they are calm, it really helps.

At roost... if anybody pecks me, they get firmly pecked back.

I am still learning here too. Every single bird is a new experience for me.

 

[usmcpilot06]

Mine know I am not part of the flock, I walk right in and right over them, I make them move, when I go in the coop they get the hell out of dodge. When they jack with me as in getting to close and trying to stand off on me I just pin them on the ground and hold them there for a few seconds,,they stopped their crap after about the third try.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

... my rooster waits at the front door to be let out... But, the past 2 days... he puffes up... once he’s on the ground, he will peck my feet 2 times...

What kind of footwear are you wearing and are your toenails painted?

Chickens like to peck at shiny things, whether it is painted toenails or your eyeballs is inmaturial to a chicken.

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

What kind of footwear are you wearing and are your toenails painted?

Chickens like to peck at shiny things, whether it is painted toenails or your eyeballs is inmaturial to a chicken.

I wear railnboots with a plaid pattern!

 

[HeiHeisMom]

Didn't intend to offend anyone.
The word humiliate doesn't necessarily mean to embarrass of make subservient, it means to realign humility...otherwise to humble or to remember ones place/ abilities.
Roos need love too, even if they're the 'Macho'(all agressive male) type.
WeveW raised our Roo from hatch, so he's always going to be part of the family and he knows he's appreciated and well cared for, and also what does and doesn't fly with Momma Hen.