Who to keep

[Chickassan]

Lol! He pecked you huh? But you had food he wasn't getting to dole out lol! When you foot flicked him you "spoke his language" and he puffed. When you goosed him he came back to reality and though " man, she's bigger than me I better quit!" Next time you have food don't just feed the pullet. Put the food in front of Fabio and let him call the pullets. It hurts any boys machismo when they can't do their job, it really stings watching someone else do it especially in the teenage stage when they're trying to learn and impress the ladies at the same time.

Last night about 30 minutes before the flock went to roost I was sitting in a chair near the coop and one of the pullets flew up on the chair arm to check out the container of food I had with me. I scooped a spoonful out for her to eat. Fabio was watching. After about a minute he casually walked up and pecked my bare foot hard enough to leave a mark but not break the skin. I reactively flicked him away with the offended foot then he did his old fluff up and drop a wing toward me crap. So I got up and walked after him and gave him a bit of a goose under his tail. He squawked and ran about 20 feet away then turned and watched me from there.
I've never raised a cockerel before so I don't want to screw things up. I'm used to dealing with very strong willed large dogs and don't put up with any crap but I don't want to make too many first timer mistakes while managing Fabio through his teenage angst and into his raging hormones phase.
How should I continue handling him?

 

[DobieLover]

Oh dear, I'm afraid that's a loaded question. There are more recommendations on rooster handling than you can shake a stick at.
I'd say read some threads here on the forum, do a little research, and find what works for you! I think much depends on your expectations for him, plus your own flock dynamics.

I will share this personally though. Most of my roosters pay no attention to me, as I pay no attention to them. Some come close, some keep their distance. I had one that didn't like my "red" feed scoop. Just the red one, he would attack it, not me lol. Now I have a BCM cockerel growing out that did charge me once, I backed him up, and had a good talking to him. But I now keep both eyes on him. I once had a light brahma rooster that was a terror.... until I broke a stick across his chest. And I got in my own mind that I wasn't scared of him. All was peaceful after that.

Other than those, my roosters are pretty much just "there". And I have a lot of them! They tend their flocks, and love their girls, and help raise babies. That's all I ask of them.

I know there are more recommendations on how to handle a rooster than you can shake a stick at because I've read so many articles and comments about it I'm dizzy! Opinions run from snuggle them to kill them!
I want a rooster to look after the flock. I don't want his job. I also want a rooster that will not give me or my DH any grief. I don't wish to hold him, pet him, hug him and kiss him and call him George. I want a respectful ROOSTER. Period.
I'm hoping that the goose I gave him last night gave him something to think about. I guess time will tell.

 

[DobieLover]

Lol! He pecked you huh? But you had food he wasn't getting to dole out lol! When you foot flicked him you "spoke his language" and he puffed. When you goosed him he came back to reality and though " man, she's bigger than me I better quit!" Next time you have food don't just feed the pullet. Put the food in front of Fabio and let him call the pullets. It hurts any boys machismo when they can't do their job, it really stings watching someone else do it especially in the teenage stage when they're trying to learn and impress the ladies at the same time.

I've tried to give Fabio the food to offer the girls but they just come tearing in and gobble everything they want and he just backs away and lets them have at it. And when Dear Fabio gave my foot a peck, there were small piles of food scattered around (near him as well) so the lower ranking pullets could get something to eat without getting holes drilled into the backs of their head by the higher ups.
I agree with you that he probably had his little rooster panties in a twist over someone else feeding one of his girls.
To help Fabio with his burgeoning manhood, the next time I'll just encourage any pullet that comes to me for food to go away. But obviously, I've been the source of all the goodies so when they see me, they come a runnin'.

 

[Chickassan]

Yeah little roosters are nuts "you already know that" give him the food let him try. The fact the hens take it and he dosen't take it for himself is awesome. He won't ever get any of that food lol! You don't have to not feed your pullets absolutly not. Just give Fabio the first chance at calling to a pile then feed whoever you want. He dosen't care so much that you're doing it he does care that you did it first. When he gets older he won't care at all, he's just balls to the wall right now.

I've tried to give Fabio the food to offer the girls but they just come tearing in and gobble everything they want and he just backs away and lets them have at it. And when Dear Fabio gave my foot a peck, there were small piles of food scattered around (near him as well) so the lower ranking pullets could get something to eat without getting holes drilled into the backs of their head by the higher ups.
I agree with you that he probably had his little rooster panties in a twist over someone else feeding one of his girls.
To help Fabio with his burgeoning manhood, the next time I'll just encourage any pullet that comes to me for food to go away. But obviously, I've been the source of all the goodies so when they see me, they come a runnin'.

 

[DobieLover]

An update on the boys...

Dexter mounted a very receptive Rhoda (our RIR) about 3 days ago (still no eggs BTW). He did the deed again yesterday morning right in front of Fabio. Fabio started frantically clucking and running around them but he did nothing else.
Fabio is now actively courting our Lakeland egger, Olivia. She is not so impressed or receptive.
Ironically enough, I don't remember the last time I saw the boys get into a sparring match.
So for the time being, we're keeping them both unless something drastic changes in the flock dynamics as the pullets continue to come into lay. Right now, everything is quite peaceful.
I like the idea of two flock protectors as we free range them.

Adorably, Rhoda and Dexter have been roosting side by side since their first mating.

 

[Chickassan]

Awww! Nice! It really might work with two. Some hens will be smitten with Fabio some with Dexter, as you've seen the ladies choose not the boys. I don't think iv'e ever seen a fav boy get into a serious spar with another roo. The worst has been a chest bump and a couple pecks.

An update on the boys...

Dexter mounted a very receptive Rhoda (our RIR) about 3 days ago (still no eggs BTW). He did the deed again yesterday morning right in front of Fabio. Fabio started frantically clucking and running around them but he did nothing else.
Fabio is now actively courting our Lakeland egger, Olivia. She is not so impressed or receptive.
Ironically enough, I don't remember the last time I saw the boys get into a sparring match.
So for the time being, we're keeping them both unless something drastic changes in the flock dynamics as the pullets continue to come into lay. Right now, everything is quite peaceful.
I like the idea of two flock protectors as we free range them.

Adorably, Rhoda and Dexter have been roosting side by side since their first mating.

 

[Michellep224]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/beekisseds-rooster-speak.73664/

I like this article on Rooster Speak! ^_^

 

[DobieLover]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/beekisseds-rooster-speak.73664/

I like this article on Rooster Speak! ^_^

I read this article. It is a good article.
Luckily, Fabio has made no more dominant moves towards me since I goosed him. And Dex has always been friendly. Still is even with the hormones kicking in.

 

[Wetmorechick]

Pics of the boys?

 

[DobieLover]

Pics of the boys?