WTH just happened??!!

[MrsKris]

So, I have separated my pullets from my cockerels due to the boys being a little to over zealous with one of my girls. So, just now I'm sitting out by my coop/lot just chilling with them before bedtime... Well one of my EE boys walks up to me, grabs ahold of my arm and mounts my hand!!! Two seconds later, before I can really react, my much larger dominant silkie rooster runs over and knocks the EE boy off of me! I'm in shock! 1. That that fool tried to hump my hand and 2. That my monster silkie was protective of me. Is this normal??!!

 

[lazy gardener]

I've seen cockerels trying to put the moves on a coffee can, so... when they are in the mood, anything goes. As for your Silkie, he was just reacting in typical cockerel fashion: if he can't have it, the other guy can't either.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would worry about how that rooster is viewing you, as submissive to him. That could mean aggressive issues are next.

 

[MrsKris]

I've seen cockerels trying to put the moves on a coffee can, so... when they are in the mood, anything goes. As for your Silkie, he was just reacting in typical cockerel fashion: if he can't have it, the other guy can't either.

The one who tried to hump me likes to peck at my feet, I wonder if that's what he's been trying to do but couldn't get a good grip on my foot???

 

[MrsKris]

I would worry about how that rooster is viewing you, as submissive to him. That could mean aggressive issues are next.

I hope not! The humper is my favorite one . He always let me hold and pet him, with no resistance/aggression, before I started letting them free range some.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Unfortunately the friendly roosters will often end up aggressive as they have no respect for you. If you have any hope of keeping him I would get him moving away from you, never towards.

 

[Peeps61]

Old Hen is giving good advice. My first rooster was terrible (he was an EE) and it was because I handled him extensively as a chick and young cockerel. He had no fear or respect for me, and he showed it in his behavior. He was taken by a predator and life was peaceful after that. I've had three since him, all great roosters because I adopted a hands off approach and moved with confidence around them. If they were in my way, they had to move to let me through. I don't chase them or terrorize them and we get along fine.

If you have more than one rooster, they will compete for the hens. So, the silkie knocked the other guy off of your hand because that's what they do - he thought your hand was a pullet too. Watch how the bird views you though. Stop making a pet of him and make him move out of your way or away from you whenever you are with them. Otherwise, you'll end up with a problem and have to get rid of him.

 

[MrsKris]

Thanks for the advice! The silkie tried to dominate me when I'm sitting, I have started pinning him down til he submits and calms down. Today is the first time anything like this happened. Usually they all part/move when I come through. I'm wondering if it's because I have the girls where they can't get to them??? But when the pullets are out, they are all over the most mature one, I just don't want her terrorized! Should I maybe let the girls back out?

 

[Folly's place]

Your cockerels are not behaving well, and it's time to stop 'making friends' and become the giant who brings food, and who is totally respected. Your EE boy may not turn out well, but you can try. Mary

 

[lazy gardener]

Thanks for the advice! The silkie tried to dominate me when I'm sitting, I have started pinning him down til he submits and calms down. Today is the first time anything like this happened. Usually they all part/move when I come through. I'm wondering if it's because I have the girls where they can't get to them??? But when the pullets are out, they are all over the most mature one, I just don't want her terrorized! Should I maybe let the girls back out?

Your cockerels are not behaving well, and it's time to stop 'making friends' and become the giant who brings food, and who is totally respected. Your EE boy may not turn out well, but you can try. Mary

Here's a copied post from Beekissed about rooster management. I respect her training methods, and she doesn't have much positive to say about "pinning a roo to the ground", though I have used it in the past. Now, my methods more closely match hers.

Rooster aggression:

I'm going to give you a clue on "rooster speak"....holding him down doesn't mean anything to him. If you'll watch how roosters interact between dominant ones and subordinate ones, there is rarely any, if ever, holding a bird down for a long time when there is an altercation. There is very quick flogging, gripping by the back of the head and flinging him away or getting him down and giving some savage pecking to the back of the head or neck. No holding him down and nothing else. That's a rooster on a hen maneuver, not rooster on rooster.

Because your rooster is attacking you, you are the subordinate in this picture. You are getting dominated by your bird simply because you are walking where a subordinate isn't supposed to be walking when a dominant is in the area. What you never see is a dominant rooster getting attacked by a subordinate rooster unless there is going to be a definite shift in power, at which time the sub will challenge the dom and win...or lose. So far you are losing and not even challenging.

If you want to win this battle, you must go on the offensive, not the defensive. He who attacks first, and is still claiming the area when the other guy leaves it, is the winner. Some people never have to go on the offensive because their movements in the coop are so decisive that they move and act like a dominant and a 2 ft. rooster is smart enough to recognize a dominant attitude and behavior...which is likely why he's never attacked your husband. Most men move more decisively than do women and children and they rarely step around a bird, but walk through them.

Carrying him around also doesn't mean anything to him...it just doesn't translate at all. His environment is that coop and run floor and that's where you need to speak to him, in a language he understands. Because they are quick on their feet and can evade you, you need a training tool like a long, limber, supple rod of some kind...cutting a nice switch from a shrub or tree that will lengthen your reach by 5 ft. really helps in this. Don't use a rake or broom because they are too clumsy and stiff and can put the hurts on the guy when you don't really mean to.

When you enter your coop, walk with decisive movements and walk directly towards your rooster. Move him away from the feeder and the rest of the flock and keep a slow, determined pressure on him until he leaves the coop. The stick will help you guide him. Then...wait patiently while he gets his bird mind around what just happened. He will try to come back in the coop...let him. When he gets a good bit into that coop, take your switch and give him a good smack on the fluffy feathers under his tail if you can aim it well. If you cannot, just smack the floor near him very hard and fast until he hops and runs and keep at it until he leaves the coop once again. Repeat this process until he is too wary to come back in the coop.

Feed your hens. When he tries to come to the feeder, you "attack" him with the switch...smack the wall by the pop door just as he tries to enter. If he makes it inside, pursue him with the stick either smacking the floor or tapping him on the back or the head until he leaves in a hurry. Make him stay outside while you sit there and enjoy watching your hens eat. Use the stick to keep him from the flock..just him. Don't worry about the hens running and getting excited when this is happening...they will get over it. This is for the future of your flock and your management of it.

When the hens have had a good tucker....leave the coop and let him come back in. Go out later and walk through that flock and use your legs to scatter birds if they get in your way...top roosters do not step to one side for any other bird in the flock. You shouldn't either. Take your stick and startle him with a smack on the floor next to him when he is least expecting it...make that bird jump and RUN. Make him so nervous around you that he is always looking over his shoulder and trying to get out of your way. THAT'S how he needs to be from now on in your lives together. Forget about pets or cuddles...this is a language and behavior he understands. You can hand feed him and such later...right now you need to establish that when you move, he moves...away. When you turn your back, he doesn't move towards you...ever.

Then test him...take your stick along, move around in the coop, bend over with your back turned to him, feed, water, etc....but keep one eye on that rooster. If he even makes one tiny step in your direction or in your "zone", go on the attack and run him clear on out of the coop. Then keep him out while everyone else is eating.

THAT'S how a dominant rooster treats a subordinate. They don't let them crow, mate or even eat in their space. If the subordinate knows his place and watches over his shoulder a lot, he may get to come and eat while the other rooster is at the feeder...but he doesn't ever relax if he knows what is good for him. At any given time the dominant will run him off of that feed and he knows it, so he eats with one eye toward the door. If he feels the need to crow, it's not usually where the dom can reach him...maybe across the yard.

If your rooster crows while you are there, move towards him and keep on the pressure until he stops. He doesn't get to crow while you are there. He can crow later...not while you are there.

It all sounds time consuming but it really isn't...shouldn't take more than minutes for each lesson and you can learn a lot as you go along. And it can be fun if you venture into it with the right attitude....this is rooster training that really works if you do it correctly. This can work on strange roosters, multiple roosters and even old roosters...they can all learn. You rule the coop...now act like it. Carrying is for babies...you have a full grown rooster on your hands, not a baby.