Gentling a rooster

[BigBlueHen53]

never let them come up.

And how do you prevent it? You say you don't use a broom or your shoe, so ...?

 

[gimmie birdies]

I never take my eyes off a rooster, or let him come behind me. If you use a broom or a shoe the thinks you like to fight that way and will get more of that attitude. Some times it is learned behavior, sometimes they are just a jerk.

 

[Poultrybonkers]

I never keep males more then a year so i don't have aggressive issues. I have a male now thats biting my hand...turns out he was trying to mount it because he managed to mount my arm the other night he lives alone in a coop while two other males live alone in another coop waiting to be processed because they didnt do the only job they have...mate. Lol

 

[Atchurch]

I never take my eyes off a rooster, or let him come behind me. If you use a broom or a shoe the thinks you like to fight that way and will get more of that attitude. Some times it is learned behavior, sometimes they are just a jerk.

Yeah. I keep the boy, in with the girls, in front of me and don't let him get behind me either. I carry my hook but keep it pointed to the ground. I have it just in case. He has sort of been just watching me and not bothering with me too much. The other two boys, separated, are dancing around each other, but not fighting. The meanest one has to go as soon as the weather is warm enough to get out and process him.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I never take my eyes off a rooster, or let him come behind me. If you use a broom or a shoe the thinks you like to fight that way and will get more of that attitude. Some times it is learned behavior, sometimes they are just a jerk.

So you just always face him?

 

[SourRoses]

So you just always face him?

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.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

This is why I am asking. @gimmie birdies is telling us what NOT to do - don't let the rooster come up behind you, don't use a broom or your shoe - but I'm wondering exactly what they would advise, what positive steps to do to accomplish this.

 

[Atchurch]

So you just always face him?

Always turn so he's never behind you. They'll move to your side or back and come at you. If they're aggressive. This is our 2nd one that's with the girls and his daddy was the first. The other two boys, one is okay and the other is aggressive already, too. He's actually worse, but I don't need to get inside there with them so he's easier to deal with. The other one, well, I have to get into the run for the girls' food, water and gather eggs. So I keep him in front of me. It's a hassle, though.

 

[Atchurch]

Always turn so he's never behind you. They'll move to your side or back and come at you. If they're aggressive. This is our 2nd one that's with the girls and his daddy was the first. The other two boys, one is okay and the other is aggressive already, too. He's actually worse, but I don't need to get inside there with them so he's easier to deal with. The other one, well, I have to get into the run for the girls' food, water and gather eggs. So I keep him in front of me. It's a hassle, though.

I just keep him in sight. I don't try to pick up any of the girls because he doesn't like it. I walk calmly and speak calmly, keep my eyes on him and have the leg hook, just in case, but keep it pointed to the ground. It's not combative, just a precaution. Every bird is different. Just try to respect him until he doesn't respect me.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

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.