intheredhomestead
In the Brooder
- Jun 7, 2023
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So, my rooster used to love being held, raised him as a chick. He was the first one to come up to me and sit on my shoulder when he was a cockerel, and then he matured. I understand that natural roo behavior once they mature is they become more...roostery, and I appreciate that. BUT, he definitely started perceiving me as a threat when that happened, and started puffing up and crowing whenever I came close to show his dominance. Then it escalated to charging, pecking, and full on kicking. I have tried EVERYTHING I've read without just downright culling him. I've held him down on the ground like he does to hens to assert dominance. Not hard, but just hold him there and pull on his neck feathers. I read that can help with submission. I've put my foot up to him when he goes after me and block his kicks, and I've read that can help but also display that he needs to keep after me. I've lightly pushed him away with my boot. I've held him upside down. I've picked him up in front of the hens and carried him away from them to gently set him down. Everything tells me something different, and sometimes the suggestions are contradicting. I mean....I feel like I've done everything at this point. Is there anything else I can try? I have hawks and so I appreciate what he does for the girls. I would prefer to try and keep him around. They seem happier, lay often, and he has NEVER gone after them. He's always a perfect gentleman to his hens, but boy he HATES me. I don't have any kids, and he doesn't have spurs so his kicks don't do a ton of damage, but it's just annoying that I can't go into the yard without having to yell "Warren!!" every minute. Maybe it's the name that's got him embarrassed any advice? Or am I destined to rehome him?