Weird Rooster behaviour

[MROO]

Ya

I got zapped again this evening full force when I entered the coop for dinner. But then I went in again before roosting and I was "allowed" to sit on the block and talk to them. Just crazy! Wish I could enter without him being in the coop, put out the food, then settle down on my roost before he comes it. It's when I enter that he goes after me!!!

Are you talking to him as you come in, so he knows you're coming? If you're carrying feed when you enter, make sure it's in a noisy bucket (or a treat can) that you can shake, like a rattle. Once all the chickens associate that noise with food, you should have no problem diverting their attention to "eats" as you enter. As a bonus, if they ever get out, they'll follow that shaking bucket anywhere ... for an easy catch!

i get the "Not by the hair of my chinny, chin, chin" reaction. I have a Silkie that I can't always trust to let me in the door, either. He's not vicious, just always testing (and not too bright!) Just like with your roo, it's that first moment or two when I invade his space that sets him off. Once I've taken a few steps right at him - not threatening, just letting him know that HE has to move, not me - he's fine.

I also carry a flat-bladed, child's plastic snow shovel with me. It's not for protection. I use it to scoop bedding away from doors and to clean up under roosts ... but it does come in handy as a barrier, if I need it. I don't swing it at him; I just plant it in front of me so he has to go around it. That is usually enough to side-track him.

It sounds like you're making progress. He didn't get defensive overnight, so it'll take a while to unlearn the behavior. Patience, patience, ... and a little blue shovel!

 

[CannedMonster]

Ya

I got zapped again this evening full force when I entered the coop for dinner. But then I went in again before roosting and I was "allowed" to sit on the block and talk to them. Just crazy! Wish I could enter without him being in the coop, put out the food, then settle down on my roost before he comes it. It's when I enter that he goes after me!!!

Can he see you coming?
Could you possibly be startling him?
I always start talking to my flock for a few seconds before I open the door of the coop so they know I’m there and aren’t too startled.

 

[Wendy Case]

Ya

I got zapped again this evening full force when I entered the coop for dinner. But then I went in again before roosting and I was "allowed" to sit on the block and talk to them. Just crazy! Wish I could enter without him being in the coop, put out the food, then settle down on my roost before he comes it. It's when I enter that he goes after me!!!

Ouch! I feel your pain, I really do!!!
Again I watched from the safety of my bedroom as Rod opened up the coop... Nothing! I watched Rodger anxiously wait for the gate from the house to close, like he does every morning and then when he heard it he gets all excited encouraging the girls to get off the perch, then he stands at the door waiting for Rod. He only ever takes a couple of steps forward as Rod opens the door and puts the metal rooster door stop against it, then he goes and gets the girls. He NEVER follows Rod out, he NEVER shows any aggression. Rod finds Rodger's behavior with me quite amusing. Yeah NOT! I didn't get the chance to do it today, but I did get them some cottage cheese and an iceberg lettuce. The latter I put in the salad ball! I had my broom handy but didn't need it.... Till I was leaving. Lol
Been busy working on the second coop, but I'll sure get back to it tomorrow!
You're so brave sitting inside. The last time he went for my face was enough for me!!! I'll sit it out on the other side of the gate and pretend I'm at the freakin zoo with a predator on the other side. Hopefully it won't take all summer!!!
Be careful out there.

 

[deedledumpling1]

Are you talking to him as you come in, so he knows you're coming? If you're carrying feed when you enter, make sure it's in a noisy bucket (or a treat can) that you can shake, like a rattle. Once all the chickens associate that noise with food, you should have no problem diverting their attention to "eats" as you enter. As a bonus, if they ever get out, they'll follow that shaking bucket anywhere ... for an easy catch!

i get the "Not by the hair of my chinny, chin, chin" reaction. I have a Silkie that I can't always trust to let me in the door, either. He's not vicious, just always testing (and not too bright!) Just like with your roo, it's that first moment or two when I invade his space that sets him off. Once I've taken a few steps right at him - not threatening, just letting him know that HE has to move, not me - he's fine.

I also carry a flat-bladed, child's plastic snow shovel with me. It's not for protection. I use it to scoop bedding away from doors and to clean up under roosts ... but it does come in handy as a barrier, if I need it. I don't swing it at him; I just plant it in front of me so he has to go around it. That is usually enough to side-track him.

It sounds like you're making progress. He didn't get defensive overnight, so it'll take a while to unlearn the behavior. Patience, patience, ... and a little blue shovel!

 

[deedledumpling1]

I will try using something small and noisy to feed them. Haven't done that. He hates it when I go to put the food into their bowl!!! maybe if shaking it helps! I'll let you know, thanks!

 

[bbond]

Can I just tell you that this thread has inspired me to try and tame my big Roo who I thought was beyond help? I still do not trust him free range and he will eventually be in a bachelor flock. But, he took treats from me the last two days and let me in the coop without an ounce of aggression. I’m fairly confident that if he saw me from across the yard he would come running and flog me, which I can’t risk since I have a 3 year old running around. Anyone have any pointers for the free range side of things? And, thank you for the inspiration.

 

[deedledumpling1]

Here's the big Boy in Person!!!

 

[Wendy Case]

Can I just tell you that this thread has inspired me to try and tame my big Roo who I thought was beyond help? I still do not trust him free range and he will eventually be in a bachelor flock. But, he took treats from me the last two days and let me in the coop without an ounce of aggression. I’m fairly confident that if he saw me from across the yard he would come running and flog me, which I can’t risk since I have a 3 year old running around. Anyone have any pointers for the free range side of things? And, thank you for the inspiration.

bbond I've learned so much by just reading the many threads, but when it comes to aggressive roosters, this hands on thread with progressive updates is awesome! My guy picks and chooses when he wants to be aggressive, so he's totally unreliable right now! I can't sit in the coop and hand feed him because he's gone for my face! He's already got his beak into my leg. Rattling food doesn't work for him either. He only does it to me, not my hubby, so I know it's the relationship between the two of us that needs fixing!!

My 42 year old daughter refuses to go in the run!
He's taking food out of my hand whilst I'm on the other side of the gate. Free ranging isn't in his future right now, but maybe before the end of summer. I'm the only one home all day and working in the farmyard. I bring my horses into the yard to groom and the last thing I want is Rodger flying at me when I'm grooming them!! The run is opposite the tack room, so he'll have to watch from afar.
Don't give up on your guy. Rodger was on death row till I started hand feeding and watching him tidbit the girls.
There is hope after all. He's now a keeper, unless he doesn't change. Some don't.
Join in the posts with your updates. Having a third person share the hands on experiences and perspectives will be wonderful!! I have two very mellow Breda Fowl cockerals who will have their own flock by June! It's like the male voice choir having a 'crow-off' in the mornings. They're a JOY I can tell you. If Rodger gets even close to their laid back attitudes I'll be very happy! Work in progress. Baby steps.

 

[deedledumpling1]

bbond I've learned so much by just reading the many threads, but when it comes to aggressive roosters, this hands on thread with progressive updates is awesome! My guy picks and chooses when he wants to be aggressive, so he's totally unreliable right now! I can't sit in the coop and hand feed him because he's gone for my face! He's already got his beak into my leg. Rattling food doesn't work for him either. He only does it to me, not my hubby, so I know it's the relationship between the two of us that needs fixing!!

My 42 year old daughter refuses to go in the run!
He's taking food out of my hand whilst I'm on the other side of the gate. Free ranging isn't in his future right now, but maybe before the end of summer. I'm the only one home all day and working in the farmyard. I bring my horses into the yard to groom and the last thing I want is Rodger flying at me when I'm grooming them!! The run is opposite the tack room, so he'll have to watch from afar.
Don't give up on your guy. Rodger was on death row till I started hand feeding and watching him tidbit the girls.
There is hope after all. He's now a keeper, unless he doesn't change. Some don't.
Join in the posts with your updates. Having a third person share the hands on experiences and perspectives will be wonderful!! I have two very mellow Breda Fowl cockerals who will have their own flock by June! It's like the male voice choir having a 'crow-off' in the mornings. They're a JOY I can tell you. If Rodger gets even close to their laid back attitudes I'll be very happy! Work in progress. Baby steps.

Wow awesome feedback thank you! Well my Tin feed pail is on the way! Thanks to Amazon since Nothing is close to me! I will continue to try and do the tidbit thing, but also to get him to "fall in love" with my new feed pail and it's "hear comes food" song!

 

[Wendy Case]

Wow awesome feedback thank you! Well my Tin feed pail is on the way! Thanks to Amazon since Nothing is close to me! I will continue to try and do the tidbit thing, but also to get him to "fall in love" with my new feed pail and it's "hear comes food" song!

Which one did you get? I'm pretty much the same as you, no one within a 100 mile radius has anything like a small feed pail!
Maybe I should give that a shot. Can't hurt.... As much as he does. Lol