@getaclue I know that carrying a rooster around doesn't work. I keep telling people that but they listen to other folks because they love to hold their former baby, I think. I started doing what I think is similar to Bee's advice, don't engage him, but push him around with your body by going into his space and with your knees (or shins, depending on how tall you and he are) just shove him aside, don't let him get away with ANY move toward you. Let him know you're the alpha, not him. Babying doesn't do a thing. If a rooster is like Isaac or Atlas, it isn't so important to stay aloof from them-they will be good boys no matter what you do or don't do because from Day 1, it was obvious it is in their nature. Apollo naturally moves out of my way, always. But a rooster like Hector, whose physical development seems ahead of his, for lack of better term, emotional development will need an approach that shows him who is really in charge. I have observed Hector in different situations and he seems intelligent enough to learn this.
I remember when one of the males of this group (could have been Hector) was bullying the others, I'd thunk him on the back of the head/neck to discipline him. That is, in a smaller way, pretty similar to how a mother hen disciplines the chicks and how roosters dominate other males.
All that said, I believe wholeheartedly that intelligence plays a factor. A dumb-as-a-rock rooster will not learn no matter what methods you employ. He'll just keep being stupid.
speckled, I'm so glad Hector didn't peck/bite today. I hope he's cured. That could easily be the only problem you ever have out of him. I think he's ultimately going to be your finest rooster. I did not know exactly what methods you used in dealing with your roosters, and didn't want to waste your time on any suggestions regarding holding, carrying, and babying Hector. While I don't follow all of her methods to the letter, I do use some of them, or similar methods, and know they work, so I was trying to offer the best information I could, that stood a better chance of success. Glad to know that you are already using similar methods. Like I mentioned, with my BA's, I've only had one "teen" with more hormones, than good sense, make a halfhearted attempt to come after me, and I dealt with it quickly. It has never happened again. For example, when I think they need dusting, I grab the rooster first. When I release him, and grab a hen, of course she squawks. You can almost see a thought bubble pop up over his head saying "I'm staying way over here, so she doesn't do that to me again. You're on your own!"
On another note, we will not be closing on the home next Wednesday. When the written offer was made, and accepted, I read a copy of it, as did everyone else involved. When everyone kept discussing the closing date, they kept saying Sept. 15. I kept asking Dh not to let them move the closing date up so much, because we would have several extra pay-days, and we might need some of that money. He mentioned it to the appropriate parties, and was told to reassure me, things were moving along, and right on schedule. Once again, I mentioned that I didn't like them moving the closing date up so much. Again, this time condescendingly, I was informed that they had not moved the closing date up, and everything was right on schedule.
Yesterday they sent Dh an email telling him to allow the better part of the day for the closing. We would all meet at the home first, around 9:30 a.m., do the final walk-thru, then we would go to one of the lawyer's offices, and finish up with the paperwork. When the paperwork was all done, we would meet the seller back at the home, and she would show us where all the gas lines, water lines, drain field, and electrical lines were located, instruct us on how to use the pool/spa heater, and equipment, teach us about using generator, etc. They were in the process of finalizing the coordination of times, and places, so everyone involved would be emailed a finalized copy of the schedule later that day. At the end of the day, we hadn't gotten a copy of the finalized schedule, but sometimes getting everyone's schedules coordinated doesn't go as quickly as expected.
By 11:30 a.m. today, there was still no confirmed closing schedule, but 2 of my cousins, and 2 of my friends were coming over the day before closing (Tues.) starting at 8:00 a.m. and would stay until 5:00 p.m to help me box up the kitchen, bathrooms, linens, etc. I was going to my doctor on Monday to get refills on my meds. We all discussed the possibility of renting the large, closed in, trailer from U-haul for a few days after the closing, and they would all come the day after closing, help load all the stuff we packed up, take it to the home, and unload it. We ladies could handle the small to medium stuff, leaving the big things for the guys to move on the weekend in a big truck. Dh was instructed, by us, to call the electric company, and have them switch the service into our name on closing day, anytime after we went to do the paperwork. Around noon maybe? What time do we go to do the paperwork? Where's that finalized schedule? Oh, and get our FiOS people out there too. Dh began sending emails, and making phone calls about the finalized schedule. No replies to anything. Ok, things are shaping up, and all we are waiting on is that stupid schedule. By 3:00 p.m. there was no reply from anyone by phone, or email about the schedule. Dh sent more emails, and made more phone calls.
Around 4:00 p.m. Dh got a phone call. When they tried to get everything coordinated, and confirmed with the seller, she complained about them moving up the closing date, and she was not ready to close that early, but would be ready by the scheduled date. When they condescendingly informed her the closing date had not
changed, but was right on schedule for the targeted date, Sept. 15, which was in the agreement, she told them to check the agreement. The secretary that typed up the document made an error on the month of the targeted closing date. Instead of Sept. 15, the secretary typed in Oct. 15. I guess she, and I were the only ones that actually read the paperwork. Everyone else was doing business as usual, sending, and receiving paperwork, but they didn't actually READ it. Uh-oh. We won't be closing on Sept. 15. So much for their prior condescending attitudes! I am experiencing mixed emotions. I was so excited, so ready for this, and KABOOM. Yes, having the extra money from the additional pay-days may be a plus, but we already had everything covered. Yes, some additional time to recover from the pneumonia is good, but with all the additional help, I wouldn't have had to work nearly as much, or as hard. I still feel like the rug has been pulled out from under me, and I've landed with a hard thud on my behind.
Is that even possible? And God forbid that ever happen but what you do if that did?
