Gentling a rooster

[BigBlueHen53]

He is my Avatar.

 

[Atchurch]

He's a Back Yard Mix (Back Yard Cross), I think he is a Buff Orpington Cross. X = Cross.

Oh! Okay. Buff Orpingtons are (I think) supposed to be docile boys, but I've never had one. I have a sweet little girl that my sister brought out to me (after she, being 74 years old, running barefoot down the street, barefoot, in Texas summer, and chasing a chicken) after she caught her. She may be a cross with Buff Orpington, but nobody's sure. She is a pretty little thing now. She was raised by a Hispanic family's little boy, in a pet carrier and she couldn't walk right at first. She got out and my sister caught her, asked the little boy if she could give her to her sister who has chickens and will take good care if her. So, she's here and thriving!

 

[Atchurch]

He is my Avatar.

He's gorgeous!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

He's gorgeous!

Thank you! He's 3 years old an an absolute sweetie. His ladies love him and so do I.

 

[akroberts1085]

Thank you for the info about roosters. I have a BSL that I bought from a feed store and she's a little PITA. I think she was from a RIR roo that was aggressive. I was offered a silkie rooster I just have to go pick him up. I haven't ever owned a rooster but my youngest daughter had a RIR rooster and the grandkids thought it was funny pulling out his tail feathers and he got very aggressive. I'm thinking about getting the silkie rooster because I'm not able to find any chicks available from 3 different stores. I'm also considering going and getting 2 more ducklings so that I will have 6. I also have 6 hens.

 

[Atchurch]

Eek, It sounds like it would lead to more submissive body language to me. To stay facing something that moves you would have to back up, twist around, etc. Making him the most important thing around.
In horse training we were taught to never back up unless you were trying to draw the horse in, and for that they should show appropriate body language first.
So I don't do it with my flock either, everywhere I go is forward and they get out of my way. Don't worry about a roo behind me because I would never keep one that I couldn't turn my back on.

Yeah...the weather is FINALLY going to be good on Thursday. We're definitely culling the super aggressive one and probably, MAYBE the one that's with the girls. None of the girls have gone broody but I have enough fertile eggs to go ahead and incubate. Plus, the other one will be with the girls. So were processing two, just not positive yet, who gets to stay. It's a difficult decision.

 

[Atchurch]

Yeah...the weather is FINALLY going to be good on Thursday. We're definitely culling the super aggressive one and probably, MAYBE the one that's with the girls. None of the girls have gone broody but I have enough fertile eggs to go ahead and incubate. Plus, the other one will be with the girls. So were processing two, just not positive yet, who gets to stay. It's a difficult decision.

Sorry! Forgot to say that, if I turn my back on him, he'll take the advantage! Lol. He's just his father's son!

 

[Atchurch]

I would just rather have a rooster that respects me. Rojo never blocks me, never gets in front of me, always moves out of my way, never tidbits or dances at me. He does not treat me as if I am a hen or rooster. And that is as it should be, IMO.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to pick the boys I have. LOL! But, they're mine and they're keeping eggs fertile. I'll maybe introduce another breed later on to try to reduce the aggressiveness. These are all progeny of my first, mean roo.

 

[Atchurch]

Thank you for the info about roosters. I have a BSL that I bought from a feed store and she's a little PITA. I think she was from a RIR roo that was aggressive. I was offered a silkie rooster I just have to go pick him up. I haven't ever owned a rooster but my youngest daughter had a RIR rooster and the grandkids thought it was funny pulling out his tail feathers and he got very aggressive. I'm thinking about getting the silkie rooster because I'm not able to find any chicks available from 3 different stores. I'm also considering going and getting 2 more ducklings so that I will have 6. I also have 6 hens.

Ooooo, yeah....picking on them will make them aggressive. Just a roll of the dice with some breeds.