It took me a while to figure out my rooster problem but once I did, my issues resolved instantly. At about 1 year, my big Buff Cochin Doc became aggressive and attacked when I entered the run to do chores. I tried the internet wisdom "pinning method" and it felt wrong and cruel to me. When I did the pinning tactic early in the game, I noticed he would walk away and mope around like he's very depressed. Even the hens seemed to avoid him which made him even more depressed. I eventually took a more scientific approach and observed the incidents as they happen. I noticed the shoes I wear into the coop had a dramatic effect. If I wore my barn boots, Doc was cool. IF I wore my Crocs or sneakers he attacked. But he wasn't attacking me, he was attacking the shoes as though he didn't realize they were attached to me. I carried my sneakers into the coop one morning and set them in the corner of the coop. Doc repeatedly attacked them until I removed them. I learned that when we enter the coop, we are in reality invading his domain. Imagine if someone barged into your home uninvited and began throwing their weight around and disrespecting you. Same thing. I used to bring treats and immediately start broadcasting to the flock and letting the girls eat out of my hand. I realized that this is a direct insult and usurpation of Doc's purpose and he didn't appreciate it. This would piss him off and he would often take a run at me when I had my back turned. Knowing this, I now bring treats to Doc and Doc only. He happily distributes the treats to his girls, order is restored and everything is right with the world. His mood is dramatically different toward me after I do this and I can do my chores without a problem. When we realize the Roos fundamental purpose is to #1 protect his hens and #2 carry on the species, we begin to understand what makes them tick. They are sensitive and intelligent birds and I believe we can actually humiliate and embarrass them when we do this and this disrupts the flock dynamics. The Rooster sees this as the true threat it is because the hens will not want to mate with a weak rooster. Once we realize there is indeed a chain of command in the coop and it goes through him, life will get better for all involved. Our roosters are a noble and courageous creature who will give their life in an instant to save a hen. That alone deserves our respect and should drive us to give them the dignity they deserve.
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
We couldn't agree more! It's a game changer once you get into their heads and are able to see what they are trying to achieve, or where that anxiety is stemming from. They have hearts of gold, but their lives depend on big and fast responses so some misunderstandings are to be expected. We are just so thrilled to hear that you were able to figure out what was causing the issue with your boy, and thank you so much for sharing your experience and the positive outcome. Examples like this do so much to help others who might be going through something similar. It's easy to feel like there is no hope, but stories like yours show others that there really are solutions, and they aren't even hard to implement once you know what needs to be done. 🥰
@frankbenedict8992
Жыл бұрын
Omg hearing roosters get sad breaks my heart, I really liked hoe toy resolved it 😊
@ivariley3998
9 ай бұрын
I learned the same lessons that you described in your reply. And I am thankful for the education that I viewed on this channel. ROOVOLUTION helped me to correct my behavior of issuing treats only to my roo and to only wear my boots because he would attack my crocs . My Roo is very loving and gentle to my hens and he loves being the one who issues out the treats to them
@caperica
2 ай бұрын
Your absolutely right on. People don’t bother to understand they just bully them, chase them and other cruel things and the rooster gets the blame.
@75blackviking
Жыл бұрын
You guys have some of the best chicken content on the tube. Your roosters are proof that your approach / philosophy actually works. Such well behaved and affectionate little guys!
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much, that really means a lot. ☺ We owe so much to the boys for always being eager to provide a great example and show off such wonderful behavior. They are such excellent ambassadors for all the other roos out there, because they truly all have this potential. 🥰
@SiberianHuskyMomma
Жыл бұрын
I really like your comment that we are not there 24/7 like the rooster is. I think that was one of the best-explained arguments to convince me that I can't be their protector full-time, and so when I come out and tell them "you're safe, I'm here now", why would that mean anything? I've also noticed that a couple of the roosters that come into the house to sleep at night turn into little cuddle bugs once they are settled inside. And my husband suggested the reason for the change then is because the house is no longer their workplace, so they can let their guard down a bit. So now, when I'm outside with them, I understand that they're the boss, I'm on their territory, in their workplace, during their shift. I need to respect that. They do is they need to, they're friendly enough with me, and if I ask nicely, maybe they can take a short break now and then for a quick cuddle break!
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
Oh our presence and reassurance definitely means a ton to them, it just can't replace the real head roo full time. 😉 We have noticed the same thing about them being more at ease inside and away from the others. There is a definite sense of them having a "job" to do when out in the run, but once they come in they're "off the clock" and can just relax and enjoy themselves. You know Mae Mae tends to be very reactive to movement out in the run. Well he has been coming into the house daily recently and he is so eager to just relax and visit. That nervous energy just vaporizes. I always say when someone is dealing with a high strung or anxious rooster, try visiting them in a different area. Something about that change of scenery (and lack of territorial claim) makes such a huge difference and can be just the foot in the door needed to do some bonding. ☺
@noelscat
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for explaining roosters correctly. We love our boy, and treat him with love and respect - never meanness. Thank you for spreading the word. What you get back is so much in return.
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
They have such immense potential for love, friendship, and cooperation when treated well. I think lots of new keepers panic because they have heard all the bad press, and it sort of becomes a self fulfilling prophecy when they react defensively themselves. We hope our sweeties can show others that you don't have to be nasty to have a nice rooster. They're quite eager to bond, but need us to open that door. It's so great to hear that you have that special bond with your boy. There's truly nothing like it. 🥰
@tinab7791
7 ай бұрын
I don't even know which video it was but one of your videos and the info in it made me realize that my aggressive hen is being that way because she's jealous of the attention another hen gets from me. Jealous one doesn't like to be handled and so I've always respected that, but I guess she wants it, she just wants to control getting up and down from my lap herself. I've made a point of inviting her onto my lap with the chicken that she bullies, and they're now getting along. Almost friends but not quite. But the bullying has stopped entirely. The bullied chicken does not hide from the bully anymore either. I can't believe this didn't occur to me before and the change has been so drastic. I am so thankful for finding this channel. I know you're focus is roosters but I've learned ridiculous amounts of info just about chickens in general and it is really helping my flock. Thank you!
@roovolution
5 ай бұрын
We were so thrilled to see this comment, not just because you're seeing such a positive change in the dynamic but also because this is exactly what we hope everyone who listens will do, take that information and apply it more broadly. Following the examples given in an identical situation will always help in that situation, but where the rubber really meets the road is in learning to implement them creatively and recognizing similarities in those more unique challenges. It's astonishing how often jealously is playing a role in behavior, and we couldn't help but chuckle reading about your girl wanting to call the shots (we have a lady like this ourselves). We marvel every day at how emotionally aware they are, and how easily hurt or offended they can be. Many wouldn't even consider emotional causes for these kinds of challenges, but in our experience they're far more common than the environmental ones. You are doing a fantastic job and we have no doubt that you'll continue to be rewarded with remarkable success with your flock. 🥰
@swiftbear
2 ай бұрын
Totally agree with bringing anything new around the roosters. I have owned many budgies and parrots over the years and they are neophobia, anything new or out of place will freak them out ( clothes, colors, shoes, a hat, anything) so sounds like this applies to chickens too.
@MsGaella
6 ай бұрын
These folks are wonderful. I just had a consultation with Sara this afternoon. I learned so much from her and will put things into practice with my rooster. I highly recommend working with their practices. Thank you-thank you so much.❤Gaella
@roovolution
5 ай бұрын
It was so lovely meeting with you Gaella. 🥰 Please don't hesitate to send us updates, we'd love to hear how things are going and offer additional help should you encounter any obstacles moving forward. ☺
@ivariley3998
9 ай бұрын
Thank you for your guidance and support! Your education on roosters behaviors is highly valuable!... It has helps me problem solve when my roo is communicating his needs to me. I have 1 roosters and 6 hens (white longhorns) Love it!
@roovolution
9 ай бұрын
We're so glad it has been helpful. 🥰 Thank you for being willing (and taking the time) to learn to understand your boy. It's a level of respect and love too few are shown. ❤
@psalm10123
6 ай бұрын
Both of you and your sweet boys are incredibly appreciated. Thankyou both.
@kayfrick7129
2 ай бұрын
I love your Bible verse! I am soo happy to have found this channel and the Rooster Allies FB group. It took me 8 years of observation, trial and error to learn just 25% of what I learned in just one week from these wonderful rooster experts.
@matthewm.8722
Жыл бұрын
Hi my name is Matt . A friend from my old department at United Healthcare shared your channel with me awhile back sorry first time posting but watched and enjoyed many of these vids im subscribed to your channel. You both are hen and rooster behavior experts now but just fun to watch these videos even though i do not keep chickens. Used to take care of my aunts when she traveled I felt like the hens got used to me I admit I pretty much just kept my distance from the rooster but he never tried to attack me or anything. But super cool your channel helping people understand these animals. Bravo
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
Matt! It's so good to hear from you! I remember shortly before we decided to make the channel you had mentioned you were transferring soon. I was hoping we might get to chat again before you changed departments, but never got the chance. You said so many times that we should start the birds a channel or something, so once we finally did you were the first person I thought of to tell. I was so grateful to the individual who offered to pass it along to you. What fun that you're finally able to see the gents (and ladies) you heard so much about. 😆 I hope you're enjoying the new position, and that all is well with you and yours. 😊
@matthewm.8722
Жыл бұрын
@@roovolution Wow thank you Sara . Sorry it took me so long to post but yes my friend who passed along the info you probably still talk to she is still in that dept but i think she told me awhile back on the channel i love your videos. I think you both are so amazing with these animals it is fun to watch i never would have thought roosters or hens being social and its just great you are literally helping so many get knowledge and understanding. Who knew there is a whole community here i am impressed with it all. Glad for your channel great name too 😂Keep up the great work its really cool!
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
Thanks so much Matt, and so sorry to just be seeing this! KZitem never gives us notifications for replies to replies, so they vanish really easily. I just sat down with my coffee to check for anything that might have gone into the reply black hole and found this. It really is crazy how sweet and smart they are. Had I known, I would have had chickens ages ago! Would you believe this video was all one take? Those boys sat patiently with us (albeit a bit confused lol) for over an hour, just happily resting or preening nearby. So many assume roos are just ill-tempered animals that dislike people, and it's heartbreaking to think of the awesome relationships that are being forfeited because of that assumption. Hopefully we can at least spread the word far enough to start a domino effect. We are also co-admins for a Facebook group with the same mission, which is over 3k members strong now. Teamwork makes the dream work, and we have been blessed to connect up with lots of other amazing keepers who are just as eager spread good information and advocate for these little gents. 🥰 (Funny story on the channel name. Back when I was first trying to explain some of the behavior stuff in the groups, I was constantly found typing away, trying to bust myths. When another member of the family paused to see what I was doing, I would jokingly turn to them and say "Roo-volution!!". It was originally said as playful exaggeration, sort of an acknowledgment that even though I couldn't help but try, I realized it was a drop in the bucket and likely wouldn't do much good. When we started seeing that people were actually listening and helped by it, we of course decided to pool efforts and really set out to make as much impact as we can. It was the natural go-to for a name, but with less sarcasm these days than early on. 😊)
@20NewJourney23
6 ай бұрын
After having listened to you discuss the folders coffee can scoop you use for feeding them and how your rooster hates it and tries to attack it... I'm not going to try to figure out and change my clothing, or my tools to appease a rooster. I don't breed fancy show chickens. My chickens are utilitarian in nature: they provide us eggs, and sometimes meat. I love them, and want them to be happy and healthy. I sit in my chicken yard twice a day for at least 20 minutes enjoying them, talking to them, feeding them, picking one up and holding it, etc. I am middle-aged, and physically disabled. I am past that point in my life where I can sit down with my chickens on the ground and try to understand their innermost feelings and triggers and work on a therapy plan to help it overcome the anxiety it has. If a bird is triggered because of something I cannot (or choose not to) change then they have to go. I am not putting up with it. I'm sorry this may offend you, but as you age you will start to understand why people like me say these things. Much love to you and your flock.
@roovolution
5 ай бұрын
No offense at all! It's critical that one be able to safely and effective manage the animals in their care, and there are absolutely circumstances where it simply isn't a good fit. We make it our full time focus to help keepers who both want a solution and are able to safely work with their rooster, but we have encountered situations where the keeper simply will not be able to safely manage that. In those cases, we jump in and help them connect with trusted rehoming options. Our biggest concern is how often keepers who would be eager to work with their rooster are misled into thinking there's no solution and no hope for a better relationship. Many who love their rooster wind up feeling forced to let them go because others scare them into thinking there's nothing they can do. Many also make the mistake of thinking their rooster is going out of his way to be hurtful just out of spite. We so often encounter keepers who feel that their bird "hates" them, but invariably what's really happening is that he's afraid he isn't safe. It's heartbreaking to see so many culled or given up on simply because they were frightened or their keeper was misled into thinking there was nothing they could do to improve things. Our aim is simply to provide better support to those who desire to work through these issues, but simply aren't sure what to do and our biggest goal is to see to it that these problems are solved in a way that protects both the animal and their human guardian. ❤
@littledirtpatch...2668
Жыл бұрын
I'm 75 years old, and had horrible experiences as a child with my grandmother's Bantam roosters (of course I'm sure we did absolutely nothing to cause this) LOL. It has taken years to get over this. My motto was the only good chicken was under the KFC sign. I'm striving to become much more self sufficient and have made peace (at least in my mind) to getting chickens. I'm just about finished with my shed conversion and hoping to get chicks really soon. Oak Abode had a link in one of her posts leading me to you guys. I am so glad to have found you. This has made much more sense than anything I've read so far. A while back someone told me to make friends with him. Using your techniques of understanding of what has set him off is spot on. Then "making friends" will be close behind. Thank you so much for sharing this information. ❤
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
We're so glad you found us and that you are looking to give chicken keeping a second chance! Having the right strategy, and making trust and friendship priority, will get you started out on a great track. Once you decide to take that plunge, or even if you find yourself with questions during the planning phase, please know that you aren't alone in navigating things. We would love for you to reach out to us any time with questions or to get help with any issues you might run into. You can reach us directly at jointheroovolution@gmail.com. If you need anything at all, please let us know. 🥰
@Sungaze-px3rb
7 ай бұрын
I use a lid as a shield but don't hit him, and when he sees that he rarely attacks it, only once. But also not good idea to turn your back on him either. In addition, talking sweet talk to him and having some food to let him eat out of your hand, its usually when he is let out of the run and they're so eager in the corner, rooster crowing to say let us out, dont you dare forget about us.
@roovolution
5 ай бұрын
All excellent advice. 👍 We've also found that when vision of their target is blocked by something like a lid just held still as a barrier, they will often completely give up on attacking. Gentle voices and positive interactions like offering treats absolutely go a long way toward inspiring acceptance of having their human present in their space. While roosters can achieve a level of trust that makes it safe to turn your back on them (we often have a couple behind us as we sit on the ground with them) it's something that should never be done with a rooster who is not yet bonded. As long as he's at all unpredictable or anxious, it's a critical safety measure to keep him in sight when working around the flock. ❤
@chickenfeeds8790
Жыл бұрын
Once we had a rooster who was attacking our hens, (his name was Vanilla) and we came to the conclusion that he was either bored, didn’t have enough nutrients, or did not have enough space. Free-ranging could solve all of these problems, but we did not have the space to. We gave Vanilla to someone has had roosters before, and has a place that he can free range in.
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for recognizing how those factors impact behavior, and finding him somewhere safe he could have all he needs. There is such a stigma about roosters that they are just ill-tempered and mean, but it always comes down to something amiss in their lives or environments that they are responding to. It's heartbreaking to see how many are punished when they really just need help, but inspiring to hear stories like yours where a loving guardian understood the cause and did right by them. ☺
@emmaschauer5409
Жыл бұрын
I still live in an apartment in the city, but we are potentially moving to a more rural area possibly this year, so I don't have any chickens yet, but I'm in my preparatory research phase. I have been going back and forth about roosters in my future flock, and I'm still not decided yet, but this video is absolutely invaluable. Thank you so much.
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
You are so welcome! We really believe that one of the best things a person can do is go into it with the right perspective, accurate expectations, and confidence that all the difficult stuff really can be worked through. Most times when roos wind up re-homed (or worse) it's because the keeper was blindsided by the difficult periods (didn't understand what was happening), or unprepared to work through them correctly. Having confidence that the tough periods are temporary makes it so much easier to remain patient and caring through it all, that that really is the single most important thing we can do to ensure they come through it sweet and trustworthy. 🥰 If you wind up with a flock and find yourself with any question (hen or roo related) you can always feel free to reach out to our email and we will be happy to give any pointers you might need.
@Daidek
Жыл бұрын
This video is amazing, you both know your stuff regarding roosters, and you can show it! I applaud your efforts! Keep it up!
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much! It has become our passion to decode everything we can about their behavior and perception. Roosters are so misunderstood, but we hope we can at least make it a bit easier to get into their head and create a lasting friendship by sharing the things we have learned in our time with our boys so far. 🥰
@hokemonsimpson9322
6 ай бұрын
Wow! What an awesome video! I got some bad advice on Facebook and have been doing it wrong. You guys make so much sense. I have work to do. Thank you!
@roovolution
5 ай бұрын
We're so glad you found us, and so sorry that you had to wade through the bad guidance that abounds elsewhere first. Unfortunately, a great many of the most commonly recommended methods are incredibly damaging, but they persist simply because "it's always been done that way." Most assume that their persistence is evidence that they work and are uncomfortable breaking away and trying something different, so the cycle continues. If you aren't a member already, we'd love for you to join us over at Facebook in the group we help operate (Rooster Allies). You're also more than welcome to reach out to us directly at jointheroovolution@gmail.com if you ever find yourself needing input. No question is too small, and we'd love to help support you however we can. ❤
@sleeplesscrafter
10 ай бұрын
Interesting. We had 3 roosters and one of them was always looking sad and depressed, sulking in a corner with tail down. We ended up getting rid of the other two because we only had 9 hens and didn’t want them overworked with 3 roosters. We got rid of the more aggressive roosters. Low and behold, our sad rooster immediately became happy, now stands tall, isn’t sulking, etc. We come inside the coop to check their food and water, he looks at us, flaps his wings but won’t let us pet him like he used to. One hen in particular has a bunch of feathers missing by her tail. We tried catching her to spray some tea tree oil on her to help her heal (it was bleeding) and our rooster was trying to protect her from us. My husband ended up putting him out of the coop so we could treat the hen. Roo was pretty upset. Now when we go near the hen, she goes running to the roo.
@roovolution
9 ай бұрын
That's a very common thing to see, not only the lower rooster distancing himself and seeming directionless, but also withdrawing from human interaction once he's leading the flock. We've even seen this from our boys, as soon as one takes over the top position, they become much less comfortable settling in and cuddling, but once they're no longer leading they go right back to close. Since the head roo is responsible for keeping the flock safe, they seem to feel like letting their guard down by accepting nice things like pets is too great a risk. The misunderstanding of what we're doing when we secure the girls for treatment is common as well, often the roo only recognizes that the hen is upset and just jumps into action to try to help her. How is she doing now? If she is still running when you approach, we can offer some tips for helping calm her down and get back to trusting interaction. 😉
@tlinton5
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for making this video. I am a 1st time chicken owner and ended up with a beautiful Cochin Rooster, who I actually saved as a chick and I have noticed how he does respond to certain colors, things, colors etc, I've wanted to find something that works with him that is kind and caring and this video provided so much information. I look forward to learning more from you.
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much Tammy, and we are so glad you found us! So much of the advice that goes around assumes that roosters are ill-tempered by nature and will just turn on their keeper more or less at random. That couldn't be farther from the truth and it breaks our hearts to see so many throw in the towel on their boys simply due to miscommunication and bad training methods. We don't have a ton of informational videos on the channel (at least not yet) but I would definitely encourage you to join the Facebook group mentioned in the video if you use that platform. If not, please feel free to reach out to us directly at jointheroovolution@gmail.com if you are ever in need of help or advice. We would always be more than happy to chat and help make sure you and your boy form a wonderful bond. 🥰
@theresacreager9794
8 ай бұрын
im a new chicken mom and I have 5 hen and one rooster, which I wasn't counting on. They just turned 7 months old and the rooster got me from behind last week and I freaked out and it didn't go well for either of us and now im scared of him. I was going to get rid of him, but once I settled down i realized I was the one who made the mistake and not him. I want to keep him because he's good with my hens and i just want to be able to take care of them without any fear, I know he really can't harm me at least at this stage so I just need to get my emotions in check. Our coop is a raised coop so I cant go into their coop area at night to just sit with any of the chickens any suggestions for me to build a more positive interaction with him?
@1962tami
Жыл бұрын
What an excellent video! We have 2 house roosters (one was supposed to be a hen so surprise, surprise) and one of them is more dominant than the other. They are Orpington's, one a Lavender and the other (we were told) is a Lavender & Jubilee cross. So far the cross is totally black, no white specks, but he has a massive crown and waddle and seems to think that makes him all that, lol. His name is Airk (from the movie Willow), the Lavender is Olyvar (originally Olive when we thought he was a hen). I have a question about food; when we got our boys as week old chicks, born March 26, 2022 (rescued), we were told to get Layena pellets (reminder that all of us thought the one was a hen)....they didn't really care for those. We give them stuff that we eat when we have a meal (potatoes are their favorite), and they used to like the organic baby greens we feed our rescue bunnies (also indoors) but they seem to not like them as much anymore either. Do you have any recommendations, perhaps something we can get from our local Tractor Supply or Farm Bureau? Thanks so much for your videos. I enjoy watching your interactions with your beautiful boys so much and enjoy learning how to interact with ours (they love roosting on my husband when he's laying down on the couch) ❤
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
So sorry for the delayed reply! So the store was partially correct, at least in recommending the Layena for your girls. The hens do need a calcium source once they are ready to lay, but for the roosters that extra calcium can damage their kidneys and shorten their lifespan. What we (and many other keepers) do is keep everyone on a starter feed (no added calcium) or an all-flock feed, then just provide oyster shell in a dish on the side for the girls. The hens know when they need it, and will eat as much as they require, but the roosters will leave it alone. That really is the best way to ensure everyone stays healthy and correctly nourished. Even though our boys and girls are separate, they are all fed the same starter feed. It's just easier than buying two different types. The important thing is to make sure everyone has access to whatever they might need, and nobody is forced into consuming anything they don't. The brand we use for their main feed is Naturewise start grow formula. Our flocks also get treats of scratch, dried black soldier fly larvae, and Manna Pro Garden Delight or Harvest Delight. Daily treats should make up no more than 10% of their daily food intake. This would likely be around 1 tbsp per bird. You don't want them filling up on snacks and missing out on necessary vitamins and minerals from their formulated feed. This wouldn't apply yet since you are relying on table scraps (just avoid excess salt, sugar, etc), but if and when you switch to a formulated food you want them eating mostly that for health purposes. One trick that might be helpful is to create a mash out of the normal feed. Just take some dry feed and add enough water to make it into a soft dough-like consistency. This works best with crumbles, but should work with pellets too. We just put a few handfuls of feed into a zip-loc bag, add water, seal, and mash up. Just be sure to only make and give as much as they will eat right then, as mold becomes a danger once the feed is wet. They go absolutely nuts for this and really seem to have no idea it is the same stuff they have in their feeder all day. 😉
@1962tami
Жыл бұрын
@@roovolution Thanks so much for your reply! As mentioned, we do not have a hen....turns out "She" was a "He" 🤭 so only 2 Roosters, no others, and they live indoors with us 😊 Thanks again for the food recommendations and advice. I appreciate it so very much ❤
@billsmithjones756
5 ай бұрын
Very heartwarming just how much you both care about these way often abused creatures Makes me so happy to watch your love and concern
@roovolution
5 ай бұрын
When we brought home our first chicks we could never have dreamed that this would soon become our mission in life, but these boys have absolutely stolen our hearts. They're truly our mentors, and we would be remiss to keep all they've taught us to ourselves. We're just blessed to have such amazing ambassadors who provide us new insight every day and enable us to give a much needed voice to so many others just like them. ❤
@songoftheblackunicorn666
6 ай бұрын
I do not like one of the admin on rooster allies but now that I know you guys are on KZitem i can directly refer people directly to you without the perception nonsense of a certain admin
@roovolution
5 ай бұрын
If you'd be willing to share your experience, we'd love to get some more information on this. We're committed to ensuring that the group is a welcoming and educational safe haven for all keepers who are looking to develop a better relationship with their rooster. Striking a good balance between keeping tight reins on group activities (for the safety of the roos and their keepers) and ensuring everyone feels accepted and free to discuss openly is always a challenge, but the more feedback we get the better equipped we are to strike that balance. You can reach us by email at jointheroovolution@gmail.com. We'd be very grateful for the opportunity to ensure that gets addressed and corrected. ❤
@pamahern3040
Жыл бұрын
This is gold. Thank you so very much for making this important and much-needed video.
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for that positive feedback! 🥰We've been so blown away by our boys. How much they want to be good, how deeply they bond, how responsible and caring they are. Roosters are so often misunderstood, but have such immense potential when managed with understanding and compassion. We hope our boys can serve as a good example of what a relationship with a rooster can be like.
@breigesiegan-smith4155
4 ай бұрын
Hello, I am not sure do?. I raised two cockerels from chicks and gave them so much love & attention, one cockerel is the kindest but the other as soon as he reached 1 yrs then became very aggressive.He is now 3 yrs and its such a problem for us, he has injured us repeatedly and it is taking away our ability to enjoy being with the chickens. I have tried everything. Cuddling him for hours (until he pecked my face and drew blood). We then had to change the method as this wasn't working. We now always have to carry a broom for safety and it means he generally won't attack you but you always have to watch your back. He charges you, he flies up in the air any moment you turn your back he sees an opportunity. We have tried pinning him down and then tried to be dominant. He is a large fowl Cochin so is very big, if I don't have anything near me you at all times its a problem. We never want to hurt any of our animals as that is not our way but we now do feel that there is no way forward with him. Rehoming him would never work and all the breeders tell you to get rid of him. We just can't risk being hurt and afraid all the time, we would love to know a technique with him that would really work? Are your cockerels in with ladies all the time? Our cockerel is second in command with the other Cockerel and about 10 ladies. Thank you
@strangebunny22
Жыл бұрын
This video is a great help with my two Bantam boys, Harley and Quinn. By following your advice Quinn attacks my legs less, I think I am gaining more of their trust. Really happy I found your channel.
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
We are so glad you found the video helpful and are seeing improvement with your boys! Keep at it and we're sure you'll continue to see progress.😊If you ever find yourself needing help with specific issues, please don't hesitate to reach out! We're always happy to assist however we can.👍
@strangebunny22
Жыл бұрын
@@roovolution I love my boys so I want to try anything to help them feel happy and safe.
@denannas4424
4 ай бұрын
I have 8 week old pullets I am trying to introduce to a cockrill, maybe 6 to 8 months old. He is very hormonal. The only other chicken I have is a mature hen. She does a pretty good job of dealing with him. But he does act aggressively to her, charging her to mate instead of dancing most times. He dances for the pullets through the fence, but when I have let them share space, he has charged one of them. She is now terrified of him. I only have the pullets in a temporary yard because I didn't anticipate having to keep them separated for an extended time. But now I'm afraid to let him near them. Ive heard of locking him away until he's older, but that really defeats the purpose of having him. Help!😢
@20NewJourney23
6 ай бұрын
My mom was bruttally attacked by our 5 month old cockerel while feeding the chickens. He tore chunks out of her arms and hands. It was awful. We immediately rehomed him. He had attacked us numerous times prior to that but all within the past few weeks. It's uncalled for. We have never done anything to him, never pinned him down, never smacked him, never forced him to move out of the way, etc. NOTHING. We will not keep mean roosters nor will we breed them. Mean roosters breed mean roosters. No thanks.
@roovolution
5 ай бұрын
We're so sorry your mom had to experience that. It sounds like he had entered puberty and was coping badly with that shift in hormone levels. Unfortunately, some young roosters struggle much more with this than others. While it's important to recognize that those behaviors can be overcome, it's also true that it takes some time and training and not all keepers are in a position to do this. Thank you for rehoming him rather than culling. Many are afraid to pass on a rooster who's experiencing behavioral challenges, but very often another keeper will be in a better position to work with them, and sometimes even just the change in environment will resolve those issues. They can seem mean, but we've found that most often it just comes down to some being more naturally fearful. As prey animals, they're geared to assume danger until they confirm otherwise (even when nothing bad has been done to them). Those more reactive boys can take longer to understand they're safe and don't need to defend against their guardian, they understand that we're capable of hurting them and will often assume the worst until trust has been actively developed. In some cases there can be variations in brain chemistry that leave them more anxious as well. Again, possible to work through, but understandably not something everyone is in a position to do. ❤
@justlookin2
2 ай бұрын
Just finding you and it makes so much sense what you're saying. My question is how to even get started. Hmmm. I'll watch more of your videos and see if I find the answer. Thank you so much. I really want this to work. I can't get any of my Hens to let me hold them much less the Rooster. ❤
@tonysicily2687
5 ай бұрын
I liked this, we had a really nice rooster, awesome with us, but he started to get mean after a few years with the girls, so we rehomed him, Shame as he was awesome for the first couple of years. Our second rooster was fine pre puberty, but then started to body slam us, I tried to act like a bigger meaner rooster (arms out, up on my toes and facing him down) but he only went into defense mode. I tried the ‘pin down’ thing. It works for a few weeks but when I try to give treats to the girls, he gets weird. I will try giving treats to him, and let him pass them out to his ladies, worth a try…. Liked, Saved & Subscribed. Thank you for offering an alternative option.
@Alexandra_homesteading
8 ай бұрын
I’m praying 🙏🏻 your advice can help me with my special speckled lad, Siegfried. He really is so gorgeous would be such a shame to lose him. Last night he snatched my hat and head torch off when locking then away, repeatedly karate chopped my legs then jumped in an empty bucket. I scooped him up and gave him a cuddle then set him back on his perch and he cooed to his hens. Seems his aggressiveness is really quite random though.
@roovolution
7 ай бұрын
I'm so sorry we're just seeing this. We'd love to help with Siegfried. Sometimes the aggression really can seem random, and it often takes some brainstorming and analysis to trace the cause. There always is one, but we'll need to get some more information to help identify what's driving his behavior and set up a game plan for correcting it. If you wouldn't mind, please send us an email at jointheroovolution@gmail.com so we can discuss without any danger of replies getting missed or buried. We look forward to chatting with you soon.
@mysticmoontree
4 ай бұрын
This is a really good video. Another thing that some people don't realize is that some breeds & cross breeds have not been domesticated for as long as others, such as guinea hens & the fancier colorings that have been bred in from wild game fowl. So these birds are essentially more wild than other chicken breeds & hence less tameable. I had a guinea hen like this that simply was more like dealing with a wild animal than a domesticated bird. You are still technically being dominant by standing up & not reacting, its just a calm stoic dominance instead of an agressive scary dominance. I have had a lot of success with meal worms and other treats as well as rewards for desireable behavior. I've never ended up with an agressive rooster, just that crazy guinea hen.
@AlexJones-vq5dm
3 ай бұрын
That rooster in the background wants to be a super star.
@OakAbode
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for this great info!!
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
You are so welcome, and thank you for the push to do it! ☺
@isJudgingYou
Жыл бұрын
Yah… as a non-rooster I don’t really want to be respected as the dominant rooster, nor do I want to go to war to retain my “status”. Doesn’t sound like fun. Additionally, I don’t rly care if they don’t want to be my bestie and I’m content for them to do their rooster things free from unnecessary intervention by me. Alternatively, if they became a big old jerkface that is consistently ruining my enjoyment of owning birds, or compromising my or my flock’s safety and well-being, I will lose no sleep going to bed with a full belly. I don’t care what he thinks of my wardrobe and I’m not catering to instability. Maybe that’s a little harsh but I’ve never had to use that alternative outcome… so they seem to understand. My granddad was the same way and also never had any issues.
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
You must have a good grasp on how to interact positively with them, and a solid intuition about their needs and triggers. I think they sense confidence, and when keepers have worked with roosters for years, that gets projected in a way they do naturally respect. What we hate to see is when very young roosters are given up on because new keepers didn't even realize that stuff like fear of red or the crazy puberty phase were a thing. We've seen numerous keepers unknowingly set the rooster up to fail, sometimes in really extreme ways. It's just heartbreaking on all sides when that happens. With our boys, our primary goal was really just to let them be them. I mean, we spent all sorts of time with them and certainly hoped they would continue to be bonded to us, but we were at peace with the possibility that they might grow out of that cuddly phase and not want that relationship with us anymore. We've been amazed by how eager they have remained to be close, and are convinced that a big part of it is that we have allowed them to "rooster" and never tried to compete or put ourselves into the flock dynamic. So many believe the only way to have your rooster respect you is to intimidate them into submission, but we've definitely found that proving ourselves to be safe and trustworthy protectors works so much better. These boys literally run to us when we call, not because they feel obligated, but because they have complete trust that we will only be good to them. It just comes down to having reasonable expectations (knowing how that animal is geared) and being careful to send the right messages as they learn and develop. 👍
@mycalmedina6363
2 ай бұрын
I want to start with a huge thank you because I've been working with a handful of roosters and I've seen marked improvement with some of them. I have 2 questions: One of the roosters is a 10 month old bantam old English that is about 2 lbs of anger. The "old farmers tales" of information about roosters was followed with him early in his life. He's been kicked, flipped, pinned, and more or less pushed around. He and I were making good progress for a while, but one day he was a little on edge, I was trying to keep him away from my neighbors fence so he didn't try to hop over into a couple of overly playful dogs and he zigged when I zagged and I ended up accidentally putting my boot to him. He's been nothing but mean and mad at me since. When I go into the run, he rushes immediately, pecks for a second while I talk to him, cocks his head to look at me then walks away until I take another step. This proceeds to happen until I am out of patience with trying to get to the food to refill it or just walk around taking to the chickens that are in the run and just ignore him while I work and walk around. Should I just keep the one step at a time while reassuring him or is there something else I can try? The second question is about my parents rooster. They had separated a couple of girls from their flock because they had 2 roosters that were raised together that began to fight and they were worried the smaller one would end up dispatched by the bigger one so they pulled a couple girls and the smaller one out of the main flock. They no longer have the smaller rooster and have been working on reintegrating the girls that were pulled from the flock to keep the other roo company. The rooster has been nothing but mean to the girls, one of which got sick and passed. They don't want to dispatch the rooster, however when he mounts the girls he's fairly aggressive and the remaining hen they are trying to reintegrate is being chased, kicked, pecked, and just more or less attacked by the roo in question. Is there a way to tone down his aggressive mounting and to get him to accept the hen that was removed from the flock? I appreciate the time you take to read this rather large wall of text and look forward to a response if possible. Have a wonderful day!
@vegmom5770
Жыл бұрын
This was so informative. I appreciate that you have a kind and respectful approach. Thank you so much ❤️ One quick question - I have a tiny bantam roo who’s about 2. When I interact with him, I tend to bend or squat to “be on his level”, similar to how people do with toddlers. I figure he might be more comfortable without me towering over him. Do you think that makes sense? He’s never attacked me, so I’m thinking it’s OK but I would hate to get kicked in the face someday lol.
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
So sorry for the delayed reply! You are spot on about towering over him being potentially frightening, and crouching being a good way to help him feel at ease. By two years old, he should be fairly settled into his environment and adjusted to the demands of life. When they are going through puberty (and during their first spring) their behavior can become less predictable, since they are coping with such new and overwhelming drives. Those are periods where I would advise being a bit more cautious, since they can be more reactive. By two though, I imagine you would know if he was going to be prone to doing things like kicking. Something can always spook them, so watch body language and be ready to intercept if he were to get spooked, but you likely won't have any issues. I sit on the ground with all four of our big boys, and they are very relaxed and gentle. One of them is prone to getting spooked, so if he comes close I watch and move more carefully to avoid issues. It's important to know what makes them uneasy, their individual triggers, and how they signal when they are on edge. Some days they are too wound up and a bit more distance is safest, but it is really just a day by day evaluation. ☺
@alibaldy
Жыл бұрын
By bachelor rooster flock does that mean that you don’t have any hens? If so, I have two questions. Why? And wouldn’t not having any hens affect the dynamic in the first place and not be applicable across mixed flocks?
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
Those are both great questions! As for why keep a bachelor flock, in our case we wound up with four roos out of our clutch of only six chicks. We don't have nearly the space for a large enough mixed flock for four boys, and couldn't bring ourselves to re-home them. Apart from the difficulty of finding placement for extra boys, the story so often ends badly for them even if they do get taken in. We decided to give the bachelor flock a try, in hopes it would allow us to keep them somewhere they would be loved and permitted to live out their lives in safety. Having researched since, we have found that we aren't alone in the success we have had with this arrangement, and many find that bachelor flocks are a lifesaving solution for their extra roos. One of the most interesting, and reassuring, things we learned is that roosters have been observed to form all male flocks in the wild completely by choice. Our boys are great to each other, and have their own special friendships within their flock as well. Having no hens does alter the dynamic some. For instance, we don't have to worry about egg collection being misunderstood as a threatening act. In other words, we just have a few less things that might trigger misunderstandings. Many expect that a rooster without hens wouldn't have that protective drive that's responsible for so many issues. In our flock, we still have a head roo who protects the others, breaks up disputes, and enforces flock rules. They still have that drive to defend their flock, even if it's all boys, and still establish a pecking order. We can say, roosters in an all male flock are known to bond more easily with their keepers. They just seem to feel more free to form that bond. There's just a bit more of a hurdle to overcome with hens present, but it can absolutely be done. We held off on sharing much about them for some time, out of worry that our experience may not be applicable to a mixed flock situation. Eventually we were able to make contact with enough other keepers who use these same strategies and have had the same result to feel comfortable sharing. We always strive to confirm that what we share is not bachelor flock specific, and can be applied by anyone regardless of their situation. ☺
@zg2803
Жыл бұрын
We need advice with our situation. We have 4 roosters and 4 hens, all 18 weeks old. They had tussles, but always made up until a couple days ago when 3 ganged up on the smallest rooster, Lanardo (formerly known as Lanna). It was mostly instigated by this rooster's best buddy, the other smallest one, Owlsey. Lanardo and Owlsey required more care to survive due to the farmer's electricity going out the night before we got our little flock at one month old. So they were slower to develop. Lannardo needed a splint and although he walks just fine, he still has curled toes. Since the attacks, we have separated Lanardo from the flock. We made an attempt to reunite him the next day, but it went badly, resulting in bloody comb and chipped beak. First question, should we even try to reunite? Or will the rooster/hen ration just make everyone more frustrated and angry? Could it be because the buddy is jockying for position and Lanardo is probably weaker? All the roosters are bitey and humpy lately so I get there's a lot of hormones, but over the last two days, my most cuddly rooster, Asher the Dasher, who has been #2 since he tried to usurp our fearless leader when he was only a few weeks old and conceded, started attacking me. He wants to hurt me one minute, mate the next, and get cuddles two minutes later. Sigh. He was very violent with my galoshes, but these are the same galoshes I've always worn in the run. Today he figured out how to sneak under my dress and find where my calf was under the galoshes and then latched on, breaking skin. Could he be jealous that I'm spending more time with Lannardo, or just stressed out by a change in the flock? Or could he really suddenly notice my galoshes for the first time and see them as a threat? I regret that I swatted at him and tried the pin thing. I couldn't get him off and it really hurt. I came here because I want to find a better approach and preserve our human-bird relationships.
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
So a few things stand out immediately, the first would be that four hens is very likely to be too few for your four boys. It's possible for roos to do fine with fewer hens than would typically be recommended (it depends on space, temperament, and individual mating drives) but 1:1 is almost certain to result in conflict, over-mating, or both. One option would, of course, be to increase the number of hens if you have space and a desire to go that route. The other would be to separate the roos to their own housing where they cannot see the girls (hearing them is fine) and let them have their own bachelor flock. You could keep one with the girls, but I would advise increasing the number of hens by 3-4 minimum if you choose to do that. Roosters will often mate around 30 times a day, and they pick favorites. So even if that could be divided among a few different hens, it doesn't necessarily mean it will be. Putting all but one boy in their own flock would solve the conflict issue, but would still leave the girls in danger of being overwhelmed. That said, I don't think that the ratio is what's driving the current issues. At 18 weeks old, your boys are in the early stages of puberty. That flood of hormones they get hit with brings out all sorts of rambunctious behavior and they get blindsided by quite a few new concerns and urges they haven't had to deal with before. They often don't handle this very gracefully at first, and that goes double when the flock is all the same age and there are no adult birds to correct or show them the ropes. Think of a kindergarten class with no teacher in the room, it can get pretty chaotic. What happens is that a switch sort of flips on and they suddenly become aware that they should have mates, lead the flock, protect against threats, etc but they have no experience and aren't really sure how to do that. They know their (and their flock's) lives depend on it, but they're out of their element and that results in a sort of desperation and a lot of guessing. This is why you are seeing such unpredictable behavior (attacking, then mating, then snuggling). He's not really in control right now, those impulses have him at their mercy. All this to say, it's not anything to panic about, but just to gently guide through by providing praise and encouragement when he gets it right, and gentle correction/redirection when he gets it wrong. Jealousy could definitely be adding fuel to the fire. He also could absolutely be reacting to the shoes, even though he's familiar with them. He was seeing them through "chick eyes" previously and likely never even stopped to question whether they were a threat. Now with his more mature perspective, he's going back and re-evaluating things with that new awareness. They tend to respond best to things that are of neutral color, don't move excessively, and are "low profile". Things like skirts and baggy pants are best avoided, since there's quite a danger of that fabric moving unexpectedly and spooking them (they are very hair trigger during this time). Try to stick to jeans if possible, and if he seems wary of the galoshes now you might try a different pair of shoes to see if he responds better to them. With the attack the other day, I imagine it was probably a juvenile attempt to sort out pecking order that got out of hand. Without a description of exactly what the attackers were doing (were they cornering him for instance) it's hard to say if that was within the spectrum of "normal". Roosters start resetting pecking order very fast, often in as little as 48 hours. It seems that anyone who leaves for more than a very short time gets in trouble with the others. That might be all you were seeing reintroducing him, a scolding for bailing on the flock. Again though, it would definitely require more detail to say for sure. If or how to reintegrate will depend on what exactly they were trying to do with the first conflict, and how exactly they reacted to his return. If you can send an email to jointheroovolution@gmail.com with any additional detail you can provide on that, I can definitely help devise a safe game-plan. We don't want to commit him to giving up his flock unnecessarily, but we don't want to subject him to risk of harm either. It's touchy navigating that social stuff, but with that extra info I think we can pin-point what's going on and work through it. ❤
@zg2803
Жыл бұрын
@@roovolution Thank you so much for this thoughtful reply. It's very helpful and encouraging. Today, the same rooster that was acting so strange yesterday, Asher, became the new victim. So we have them both separated from the flock and also separated from each other for the moment. Not sure how we're going to set up a new run for our bachelors where they can't see the hens, but we're trying to sort this out. I'd love to send some follow questions via email. So appreciate your advocacy for roosters.
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
@@zg2803 Definitely do send an email, we can do some additional analysis on what's driving that conflict between the boys, and help advise on ways to get that bachelor flock set up if that winds up looking like the best route to go. ❤
@zg2803
Жыл бұрын
@@roovolution Sent something last night! :)
@Lynnezess1
11 ай бұрын
Any advice for a rooster who is afraid of you? Mine shakes/trembles whenever I pick him up. I've had him since he was a baby and he's never had any negative experiences with me. :( I'd love a video on bonding with roosters who are more on the timid side!
@roovolution
9 ай бұрын
So sorry for the delayed response! We do actually have a method we've had success with that can help ease more timid birds into being comfortable with handling. The biggest obstacle when it comes to handling is that roosters are prey animals and being picked up and held feels very similar to capture to them. It can be too much "entrapment" all at once and instinct can kick in and create that strong fear response. The key is to gradually condition comfort with each step of the process. If you do a search for fear extinction training, the approach is very similar. We'd be happy to give a detailed breakdown of that method, but I'm afraid it might be longer than the comments here will allow. If you send us an email at jointheroovolution@gmail.com, we can pass all that along for you. We do have future plans to put together a video guide on in, but would hate to make you wait for that to be completed and uploaded. If you'd rather, I can certainly try to share those steps here, it just might be less easily readable and/or take more than one reply. Just let me know and I'll keep an eye on our inbox as well. 😉
@unnikrishnanharish4658
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the info
@user-sv6tf2wi4s
Жыл бұрын
이 아이들이 선한 주님을 만나서 다행입니다😢주님의 가정에 행복만 가득하길 염원합니다❤
@dking2541
11 ай бұрын
How would you go about addressing a rooster that is very dominant/aggressive with the hens? Grabs them, won’t let go, attacks as they walk by. I hear them screaming periodically throughout the day because he is relentless. We have two roosters (the other is very docile and was attacked yesterday by the other) and 13 hens in a large area and coop, which will be nearly 3 acres once it’s fully fenced. He’s not shown human aggression, just puffs up occasionally. They’re all about 20 weeks old. I appreciate any insight, thank you! Just discovered your page 🤍
@roovolution
9 ай бұрын
I'm so sorry to just be seeing this! How is the flock doing now? Given their age and what you described it sounds very likely that what's happening is clumsy mating attempts that the girls are not appreciative of. Roosters at that age tend to over-do things, and rather than courting the girls and only making a move if they invite it, they tend to just ambush and take those opportunities more by force. The hens will scream just in protest, even if they are not really being hurt, though it's certainly possible for injuries to occur when they struggle to get away. Combs can get grabbed, neck feathers pulled, etc. so although it's normal it can require some intervention if things get too rough. Something as simple as keeping the genders separated for the first couple hours of the day and the last couple hours of the day until they mature a bit more can help a great deal (their hormone levels are highest during those times). Often being allowed together only during the middle portion of the day when they are more in control will make things much more manageable. That interaction should naturally shift to a more peaceful and civilized dynamic once the girls mature a bit and start squatting, and the boys learn that polite behavior gets them farther than force. This is also the age for them to get ideas about leadership and pecking order, so the conflict you saw between the two roos is likely down to them attempting to sort out who's where on that ladder. If you're still having any difficulties with behavior and would appreciate more detailed help on your specific situation, please don't hesitate to toss us an email at jointheroovolution@gmail.com. We're happy to provide any support we can in helping navigate things. It's a challenging age, but with the right support it will improve and settle into a much better dynamic. ❤
@dking2541
9 ай бұрын
@@roovolution that’s ok! It ended up getting worse, and he attacked my toddler twice, completely unprovoked. So he now lives with a new flock of ladies (no other rooster), and they’ve reported he’s doing well overall, much less aggressive. I know the home he went to and can see and check on him anytime. Thank you!
@roovolution
5 ай бұрын
@@dking2541So sorry we're just seeing this reply. It really can be challenging having a rooster when young children are present, we're glad you were able to find a safe haven for him where that won't be a concern. ❤
@rhondakeller2592
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for making this video. So much information for me. I’ve had chickens for about 10 years now and I have had a no tolerance for bad rooster behavior policy. This video has given me a different approach for bad behavior. I’ve recently acquired two beautiful bantam roosters (adults) and they have been coming after me since day one. The person I got them from didn’t seem to mind it but I have young grandchildren that want to come with me into the chicken run and these little guys are chasing them. I love my other bantams and never even thought that I would have a problem with bantams. I am going to try and let him go after me (with proper attire on) and then try giving some treats and cuddle with them. Do you think that’s a good way to start or should I start with cuddling? I just think maybe letting them go after me and see that I’m not going to go anywhere is going to prove to them that A. I’m not afraid of them. B. That I am the caregiver and want to care for them C. That I’m not going to hurt them. I want to be able to hold them and them feel the love from me. I feel bad because they were taken away from where they felt comfortable and then they come to me where it is more of a crazy place and there is chaos all the time. I have a farm so I do have pretty many chickens and roosters and they are all taken care of. They don’t get the special treatment like they use to but they do get treated well. I don’t know what else I can do other than what I’m going to try. I hope it works. Thanks again for the information. 😊
@roovolution
10 ай бұрын
I'm so sorry we're just now seeing this! I hope things have been going well, and will weigh in on the taming questions in case that would still be helpful. So as you have observed, the bantam boys do have a tendency to be more reactive and high strung than full size breeds. They understand that their size puts them at a disadvantage and that makes them prone to responding to things more intensely (classic Napoleon complex). Thankfully, the same strategies for inspiring security and trust work for them as any boy, and will help reduce those moments where they feel anxious or in danger. They can still be caught off-guard and panic in unusual situations, so it will always be important to do things like trimming and dulling the tips of their spurs (if you need information on doing that painlessly and safely let us know). It sounds like your other little guys were raised with humans close and understand they are safe, but these boys likely never knew anything but an arm's length relationship with humans prior to coming to you. They need that positive dataset built up, so it will be critical to react calmly to them and offer them reassurance as they adjust to having a closer relationship. Letting them see that you give no response when they attack is definitely a good strategy to start, it will be the fastest way to communicate that you have no desire to harm them or compete with them. As for cuddling, that really depends on their response to being picked up or handled. Roosters depend on their ability to respond quickly to danger in order to keep themselves and their flock safe. They understand that they are helpless when being held, so there's a fairly high level of trust required in order for them to respond positively to that. For most boys who aren't already very tame, the simple act of capturing them to hold them runs a high risk of being seen as predatory or threatening. I would start by focusing on being around, bringing good things like treats, and letting them see you won't engage negatively with them. Next steps really depend on your specific situation and your boys' cues, so it would be good to have a bit more information on them to confirm the best path forward. If you'd like to toss us an email at jointheroovolution@gmail.com with a bit more information on their flock configuration, housing (is their coop large enough for a human to enter), whether they have a run, etc. we would be happy to hep construct a tailored plan to help them settle into a closer relationship. Thank you so much for showing such dedication to them, and looking to understand how to support them. They are incredibly lucky to have you in their lives.
@zg2803
Жыл бұрын
Another question, is it actually true that roosters don't like red? I couldn't quite figure out if that's what you were referencing. I saw an article about it, but no research. I'm worried because my flock's shed is red.
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
It definitely can be, though that's not the case for all of them. It's a known trigger, which honestly just means that enough roosters dislike it that it's often safest to just avoid it. In our flock we have one who hates red (pink and orange are close enough to upset him as well) but the other three aren't bothered at all. Even for the boy who dislikes it, it's limited to certain things. He will attack red shirts and a certain red container we use, but his feeder and waterer with red bases are just fine. I doubt a red coop would be an issue, but would worry more about red tools or clothing items (things that aren't stationary). Many animals dislike red, likely because it is often used in nature to communicate danger. Even for humans, red is the color that we find most psychologically stressful (with green being the most soothing). 😉
@TruthofBeautifulLove
7 ай бұрын
Question! I am trying to understand the wing dance. I have read different opinions on what it means, or that it is all dependent on the situation. I have a 6 month old Silkie rooster who does this every single time he sees me. I usually move away assuming it could be aggressive, but he never actually tries to peck me or jump/kick at me. Except one time that I spooked him on accident lol I would love your opinion! I will try to get some good videos showing the behavior if you are willing to take a look :)
@roovolution
5 ай бұрын
Excellent question, it is indeed very dependent on the situation but thankfully there are some giveaways in their body language that can help determine the underlying meaning. The biggest one is the sideways stomping motion, and whether that's pronounced or virtually absent. The shuffle itself actually isn't ever an aggressive behavior, but many see it as one because it can sometimes precede an attack. The two main uses of this maneuver are to greet/express excitement and to herd/direct. When a rooster wants another flock member (or guardian) to stop an activity or move out of an area, the herding dance will be used. When done to a hen, it's a forceful attempt to direct as well, in that case trying to pressure her into squatting. This type of dance is just an emphatic request, but they may decide to attack if ignored. This escalation is simply an attempt to get their point across since the "polite" option failed. A rooster who is already set on fighting won't waste time on dancing, they'll simply attack right from the start. There's a sense of frustration behind the herding dance, and it's typically very easily recognized by the way they stamp their foot at an angle against the ground, often kicking up dirt or grass in the process. The greeting dance, on the other hand, involves a much more upright stance and their foot motions resemble a uniform tap dance, or jogging on tip-toes. They seem excited, but not frustrated or annoyed. This is similar to a child jumping up and down, it's just a way to express excitement physically. If you are able to get a video and would like to send that to jointheroovolution@gmail.com we'd be happy to review it and confirm which it is that you're seeing. From your description, it sounds very much like a happy greeting. In the meantime, here's a video compilation of some greeting dances we've recorded in our flock and what's being communicated with each. 😉 kzitem.info/news/bejne/lX1nzIOErWV1aZg
@lovestockrescue5165
Жыл бұрын
Wowowow this is fantastic! Thank you so much for such great info
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
You are so welcome! Thank you very much for watching and for your kind words. 🥰
@AmberMiller44
3 ай бұрын
I see my rooster as a stressed out serious bird that has taken responsibility of our 11 hens. Hes 1 year old. I bonded with him after many attacks but he attacked me again while free ranging it keeps happening anytime i come around hes ready for me haha.now im scared of him again.A couple chicken people said pin him but i will not be doing that again (did it once) i felt bad doing it even before watching this. Something felt sad about pinning him.I feel sorry for my guy hes always on alert when theyre out of their coop area and in the yard. Its about 2 acres of open. He goes from small area to big open area. My biggest problem is reacting poorly to him. Im going to try not reacting and just stand there instead of kicking him off. I dont kick hard its just hard for me to not react its like an instinct to push back even when i got my jeans on boots on. And i also yell at him saying "Roy. Stop . Stop ugh why ? Come on Roy!!!" Like he understands what im saying...which is silly Im gonna try and do better i still love him. I may look into rehoming or making bigger enclosed run they can get some space without being so out in the open so hes not on super high alert all the time. Hes the first one in bed every night the man is tired haha i sit and observe him hes a beast lol 😆 Thanks for the info ! ❤️ All the advice i got was kill him kick him or pin him
@fairlyoddmama
Жыл бұрын
Gentle parenting roosters! It never even crossed my mind. I love it. I'm just worried for my small kids, who are always near by.
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
The more time we spend with our boys, the more convinced we become that the same sorts of methods one might use with a large parrot are the most appropriate with roosters as well. Nobody would dream of using any aggressive techniques with a cockatoo (not just because they would likely lose a finger). It's a shame those methods are so common with roos, especially since they so often make matters far worse. The thing with roosters is that they are always going to have that hair trigger capacity, just by nature of being prey animals tasked with defending their flock. Even our boys have their moments of misunderstanding or panic, but they are extremely rare because they feel so secure and close to us. When it comes to roos around young children, we always recommend making sure an adult is present if the two can access each other. This is not only because all animals can make a bad call or over-react when caught off guard by something, but also because young children are at a greater risk of being misunderstood. Fast or unpredictable motion, high energy, and the like are common triggers that make them worry that person might be after them. Basically, until children have the level of self control to be calm, move deliberately, and keep faces out of reach of pecks or kicks, it's safest to not allow unsupervised interaction. That said there are always solutions to make sure everyone at the home is protected and still able to get their time in the yard, feathered and non-feathered alike. If you ever need any tips or suggestions on that topic, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at jointheroovolution@gmail.com. We would always be happy to help brainstorm. ☺
@Wildstorm1997
Жыл бұрын
Lord, I want to try some of this but my husband is kinda dead set on offing one of our roos. We have three rhode island red roos to go with our hens. Mind you we're mostly raising our chickens to be egg and or meat birds eventually....cause well price on eggs now of days is insane...and i like chicken casserole. The downside is it's my favorite roo cause to be he's the best looking out of the bunch. The issue is that every time any of us go out there, whether it's to feed and give water to the chickens or to collect eggs he's always flogging us which is frustrating. Sometimes I think Burt(the problem child) is kinda over compensating cause he's currently the alpha out of the roos and has been for awhile..but he's also the smallest out of the bunch to so idk :\ Honestly I don't even think making him into food would probably solve the issue cause with my luck one of the others might start doing it. Just kinda stuck between a rock and a hard place :\
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
I wish we had more posted of our boy Maelstrom, or of the bruises I had all over my shins at one point, or of the amazing snuggles he gives these days. If you search "nice roosters kick too" on our channel you will see a short clip of him getting freaked out. He still has a tendency to get spooked and attack my shoes if I move in a hurry through the run, and anyone seeing him do it would absolutely assume he was aggressive. They would be shocked to see him turn around and beg to just be held and cuddled moments later. Heck, even we were shocked by it at first because he really played it off like he didn't want to be close for quite a while there. So often, with the problem children, they are struggling with something and just have no idea how to express it. In Mae Mae's case, he seems to be high on the anxiety scale in general (one of his sisters is the exact same way). It isn't that he wants to be mean, he is just very easily unsettled and when that happens he panics and over-reacts, but he has a heart of gold and really just wants love. I would definitely encourage you to give it a shot with him. We thank our lucky stars every single day that we didn't give up on getting close to our kicky boy. We could never have let him go, but it would have been so easy to just start distancing. Had we not stuck it out we would never have seen what a sweet and affectionate bird he really is, or figured out what it was he was struggling to cope with. Of course, roosters are all individuals and the driving factors are going to differ slightly from bird to bird. All the stuff in the video is a great starting point, but you may find you need guidance from there to fine tune things. If you ever want to reach out and chat about him one on one, please reach out to us at jointheroovolution@gmail.com any time. We are always happy to help others develop amazing relationships with their roos and get through the rough patches.
@rhiannakropf9946
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for this video! I have a wonderful docile 9 month old Brahma Cockrell, and I'm going to try this to see if I can get him to trust me more and maybe come sit with me sometimes. Does behavior change in regards to the bachelor flock versus the rooster lead hens? Are the behaviors similar ? Again, thank you!
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
You are so welcome! With some patience and repetition we are sure you can bring him around. They can sometimes take a bit to convince that things are safe, but in our experience once they do, they quickly get on board. There are a few differences between a bachelor flock and a mixed flock, for instance a rooster in a mixed flock might be feeling extra protective from time to time if he has a broody hen on a nest, but in a bachelor flock this would never come up. At the same time, there is still a pecking order in a bachelor flock, and the head roo is in charge of protecting his brothers from danger. They still have the same drive to defend, the same way of responding to perceived threats, and the same physical behaviors and vocalizations. In fact, our boys in our bachelor flock still prepare nesting spots, it's just us they show them off to instead. 😉 So it's less a difference in behavior, and more that some different/additional situations might come up. In a mixed flock there are just a few extra considerations to account for. A head roo will often feel less free to spend a ton of time hanging out and snuggling simply because he feels "on the clock". That doesn't mean they can't be friendly and bonded to their keeper, just that they may not show it by snuggling down in a lap all the time. Even in our bachelor flock, whoever is the current leader spends far less time on a lap than the others do. The lower roos are more free to slack off, because all the watching and guarding isn't their job. The biggest difference honestly might be that hens tend to be more outspoken and dramatic if they need to be caught for treatment or something, and that can easily be misunderstood by the rooster as an attack on them. The bachelor flock boys tend to take things more in stride, so it seems like it takes more to make them worry that someone is being victimized. This is solved just by seeing your interaction with the hens through the rooster's eyes. If you have to do something he won't understand, and it is likely to look bad to him in the moment, it's best to do it where he cannot see (e.g. take off the roost at night to treat). As long as the extra opportunities for misunderstanding are accounted for, it isn't that much of a hurdle. Some just forget that the rooster is going to trust the hens if they act upset, and is going to snap into defense mode. Even if what we are doing is to help, he isn't always going to understand that. The hens seem to be viewed as more vulnerable than brothers do, so just a bit more planning and walking on eggshells to avoid misunderstandings. ❤
@MJ-wz6jo
5 ай бұрын
I spend time with mine. He does have aggressive type behavior but I already know what caused it.
@Gnomereginam
Жыл бұрын
Hi guys, I've gotten caught on a pretty goofy idea: I wanna keep chickens in the city. In an apartment building. It's like a dream concept, renovating a large old attic apartment so that over half of it is partially glass roofed with herbs and stuff growing. I don't need chickens for the eggs, I just love chickens and wanna provide them a good life. I started out thinking I'd only have hens because they can do well without a rooster, but lately I've been questioning it because roosters are pretty great. I could soundproof the coop for the neighbors' sake but the city might still be too stressful during the day. It's an European capital, not noisy like American cities but noisy nonetheless, with trams and dogs and seagulls and the occassional car alarm. So, rooster or no rooster? :
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
We find with our boys that many noisy stimuli like the noise of cars driving by are no big deal. Maybe the first time they hear it they raise the alarm simply because they aren't sure what it is. But after a few times encountering it they seem to lump it into the "safe/normal" category and are no longer bothered by it. On the other hand, certain things like birds flying over or cats fighting nearby upset them no matter how many times they hear it. I would say the things that are just alien (human/machine sounds) they adjust to very well, but those things that could be danger in the wild that are just so ingrained that they never really dismiss them. I would honestly think you might encounter fewer upsetting noises in a more city environment than you would in the country. They're far less bothered by engine noise than the call of a raven nearby. As for the glass roof, unless you had a very solid protection plan for the plants, they would almost certainly destroy them if allowed access. It might be best to do half glass with the herbs, and have the flock contained to the other half with a solid roof and maybe just a skylight or two. Windows in the walls are fine, but having too much wide open space above would make them feel exposed and vulnerable unless there was a great deal of cover available (which would likely take up valuable floor space). Many predators come from above, so they appreciate feeling hidden and shielded from that possible danger. They're really built for jungle living, where they would have a canopy of trees and ground cover providing that safe shelter. Something that can work well is to grow foraging boxes in a separate area and rotate them in as the plants get tall enough for the flock to eat. If you try to grow anything from start to finish in the chicken area it will never stand a chance. With the forage boxes, you just pull for replanting once they've eaten it, and swap a back up into the enclosure in it's place. This method allows you to have new ones growing and readying at all times, safe from eager feet and beaks. 😉
@Gnomereginam
Жыл бұрын
@@roovolution I have to tweak my glass roof idea then, I might just use a lot of big windows, this place gets a lot of snow as well so it building up on top of rounded glass is a bit spooky. I keep wanting to give the chickens views because their eyesight is so good, and lots of light obviously. With the plants I thought of using ones that are known to survive well in a chickenized environment, such as rosemary. I guess it surviving is up to the chickens' culinary palette though. 🐔 I recently discovered the trick where you install a crate situation on top of the herbs, the chickens can walk on it and pluck bits but won't reach the whole plant. I'll come up with something based on that.
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
That sounds like a great plan. 😊 I agree, the snow weight would be scary. I wonder if they manufacture any sort of glass with heating ability, sort of like the defrost feature on rear car windows. If that exists for the consumer market, it might be a perfect solution for installing safe skylights that could be warmed during winter to prevent build up. Of course, that might be a very expensive option, but is just the first possible solution that comes to mind.
@Gnomereginam
Жыл бұрын
@@roovolution Hmm, I have to look into it. It might be easier to just have them at an angle, they'd be easier to clean too. I'll decide based on the shape of the original roof. ✨
@saraharmstrong6134
2 ай бұрын
I loved this video. My son who is 4 went to pick up his favorite Hen-Lucky, who is typically very docile-but he accidentally tripped as he was picking her up and kind of fell on her. Not hard but enough to scare her. Well Thomas our rooster saw and he has not liked my son since. When he sees him he fluffs up and he has flogged him once. Is there a way to help him and the rooster bond again??
@florinadrian5174
Жыл бұрын
What are you talking about? Chicken are social animals where hierarchy plays a big role. The roosters need to establish dominance, including over other animals and over the humans. You just need to best him and, once hierarchy established, he will know his place. How to best him: just grab him without hurting him or yourself (gloves can help), put him on the ground and force him to stay there a few seconds. That's it, you have now a bird that won't bother you.
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
This is discussed in more detail at 06:11 , but I’ll briefly summarize here as well. The hierarchy is absolutely a big factor in flock social dynamics, much like it is with a pack of wild dogs. In fact, dominance training was once the recommended practice with dogs as well, but a quick search will reveal that this is now widely regarded as an outdated (and detrimental) method and is no longer advised. Positive reinforcement training is now the recommended strategy, and has been found to be far more effective and avoids the serious drawbacks of those older methods. We now recognize that the best way to raise a friendly companion dog is not to behave as the alpha dog in the family, but instead to encourage obedience and cooperation through trust building, bonding, and positive experiences with caregivers. Although that hierarchal tendency is present in dogs, it’s clear that they are capable of understanding a different sort of relationship and achieve it on a regular basis. We recognize their intelligence (and their ability to learn unnatural behaviors and interactions), but the majority still regard chickens as unintelligent, and therefore limited to that dominant vs submissive mindset. This seems to be the primary reason the dominance training is favored, it’s simply the “lesser of two evils”. Keepers are making what seems like an obvious choice between being dominant or submissive, but failing to recognize that those aren’t actually the only options available. Many assume that chickens are too simple-minded to step outside the “instinct” box, but studies have found them to be more intelligent than both cats and dogs. It isn’t that dominance training can’t work to prevent conflict, at least for a time, but rather that there’s a third option that’s far superior to it with a much better success rate. Many would prefer to befriend animals in their care rather than achieving peace through intimidation, but have been led to believe this isn’t possible with roosters. We hate to see keepers missing out on a much more rewarding relationship simply because they don’t realize it’s available. Even those keeping them strictly as livestock would benefit in a practical sense from establishing a trusting relationship with their rooster. Things like treating illness or injury, spur trimming, coop/run maintenance, and health inspections become effortless - there is no longer any conflict or struggle. Just as with dogs, the simple fact that they are hierarchal in nature does not make that approach ideal, or support that we should model it in a domestic setting. A far more fulfilling experience is available to all keepers. It’s the limiting methods that are still recommended, not anything inherent in the rooster’s ability, that’s preventing that for so many.
@user-ew9cc6ip9n
Жыл бұрын
Wow,Thank you
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
You are so welcome! We hope the information was helpful. ☺️
@Mangacide
4 ай бұрын
It's unfortunately a common misconception/stereotype that cats are solitary. They are not. Stray and feral cats live in colonies and are very social animals with each other as much as humans. The only thing they do with humans that they don't do with each other is meowing, which they only do as kittens with other cats. My Orphington rooster 'attacks' me sometimes. It's not a fear thing though it's just because I have the treat bag and he wants it😂
@sonofhibbs4425
2 ай бұрын
Love what you’re doing! 👍🏻
@heatherbaker6412
9 ай бұрын
How can you tell if your rooster is mad or scared or if he's happy, mine walks up to me and does a foot dance at me he don't raise his feathers at me he will peck at me sometimes
@20NewJourney23
6 ай бұрын
How has the rooster behaved since you posted this comment 2 months ago? My cockerel going through puberty did that to me and then started attacking me and my mom when we were feeding them... It got so bad he tore chunks out of her arms and hands. It was awful. We immediately found him a new home with 100 hens. They needed roosters and we told him that is is a mean rooster and he was fine with it. Good. I'm glad he's got more hens than he can handle. LOL
@markquadrozzi3384
Жыл бұрын
Any roosters we take into my sanctuary that were raised from hatching moment up are all extremely human aggressive. The ones that are raised by their moms are always very gentle and easy going.?
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
That isn't necessarily surprising, and two factors come to mind that might explain it. One would be the mama hen's influence in teaching appropriate behavior. With no actual mother hen present, it can be hard for them to learn "good manners" on their own. Humans can train good behavior, but it definitely takes a fair bit of time and commitment (or at least patience to power through the mistakes they will make). The other factor is that hand raised roos tend to be very bold and secure. This can be a good or bad thing, depending on how the relationship develops from there. If the keeper is committed to showing compassion when they mess up, it can result in a wonderfully bonded bird, but if things are allowed to deteriorate they can wind up resentful and totally comfortable showing their displeasure. I wonder if the roos that make their way to your sanctuary might often be those ones that were raised to be very self assured, but were responded to badly during puberty. From what we have seen, that period is the biggest hurdle, and many keepers wind up making mistakes during that time that spark aggressive tendencies.
@dynamicJADE
Жыл бұрын
My roo is very distant from me mostly .. he only attacks my legs if I pick up one of my hens .. I have to do med checks and nail clips and so on .. I do just stand there and only kind of nudge him off if he hangs in to my leg ..before him all of my girls were all about me and would just lean down for me to pick them up and I could do a check and give them treats and move on .. how can I get this to stop? I feel like I’m neglecting regular checks because I don’t want to stress him or get hurt .. I don’t want to use aggression .. he is otherwise a great roo ..
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
Are you able to safely pick him up and carry him? I might try removing him from the area before doing trims and checks if so. It's really likely that he's misunderstanding your intentions when you pick them up. That leaning down the hens do sounds like a description of the submissive squat, which is something they do to make themselves "available" for the rooster. He could very well think that you are competing for his mates. If they act distressed when you pick them up to check them, he is likely trying to defend them. That would just be a different sort of confusion about what's happening. Either way, it seems that the issue is that he's becoming distressed at witnessing it because he isn't correctly understanding what's happening. Having to separate him isn't ideal, it just might be the easiest short term option to keep everyone stress free without forgoing or delaying care and monitoring. You may be able to try to condition him to not become upset about you picking them up. Go through the motions of picking them up to check them over, but stop at the point where he usually becomes upset. This might mean just reaching towards them, reaching down and putting your hands in position to pick them up, or actually picking them up and just immediately setting them back down. You want to try to go up to the point where he's preparing to step in, but has not yet, then stop right then and give him some treats for the girls. If he attacks, he doesn't get the treats. You could even do this a few times in a row, with the aim being to go to the point that he's feeling uneasy, but turn things around by making the outcome positive before he gets a chance to do anything defensive. From there, you would just push it a bit farther as he overcomes each anxiety point along the way. Once he has no bad response to you reaching for them, start working on teaching calm in response to you touching them, after that start training calm when they are lifted from the ground, etc. Once he is fine with them being picked up, work on duration by just holding/carrying them for a bit longer each time. He's seeing something in that interaction that he's expecting will go an upsetting direction, so it's all about reinforcing to him that isn't what's going to happen. Even once that's in place, if you have to do anything you know the girls will react badly to, I would definitely move him to a different area first (or take them off the roost just after dark) so he doesn't associate you with their upset. If any of those options won't work for any reason and you need a different strategy, you can always reach us at jointheroovolution@gmail.com. Just toss us an email detailing any restrictions you're working with and we can definitely brainstorm further from there. ❤
@shelleypowers1153
Жыл бұрын
We bought 30 Supposedly Hen's 6 months ago and ended up with 1 Rooster, which is fine 🙂 He's a beautiful Buff Orpington and was very good and docile until a week ago 😔 now he comes at me every time I go out, he's made me so nervous I don't want to let them out 😞 yesterday he attacked me when I let them out and my husband (on the phone with me to hit him with a stick and I did 😢 he kept coming for me but I didn't back off and I kicked him away 😭 Today I left them cooped up afraid to let him out 😢 my husband will be home tomorrow and we are going to try to make amends 🤔 is it too late?
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
Hi Shelley, right out of the gate I'll say it absolutely isn't too late. That said though, it will be important to remember that he might be more defensive for a little bit (anticipating that there might be additional conflict.) With roos, we always want to avoid doing anything to make them feel attacked, since it can send them further into defense mode, but that doesn't mean that a single bad interaction will burn the bridge. Just keep that interaction in mind if he seems irrationally protective or on guard. He may be questioning whether he should view you as a threat and worrying that what happened last time might happen again. He isn't going to connect that it was his actions that brought it about, and will take a bit to feel like he can relax and trust that it won't happen again. It will be important to not do anything like hit or kick him again, and instead rely on "defenses" that are non-threatening like carrying a storage container lid that you can just hold still between you as a barrier to absorb any attacks he might make. You don't want to create a pattern of aggressive interactions between you, rather you want his aggression to fall flat so he sees it isn't "working" and gives up on it. You husband will probably want to be firmer with him. Just like your rooster feels an urge to protect his gals, your husband has the same urge to protect you. Just remember that there needs to be a cooler head prevailing, or things will deteriorate into greater conflict. You want this to stop being a fight, not to make it into a bigger one. I will go over some safety tips towards the end of this reply to make sure you can stay safe as well. I am going to guess that your boy is under a year, since he wasn't clearly identified as a rooster when you got them. It sounds like he must be fairly young. If this is his first spring, he is not only dealing with the hormones that come with puberty, but also the rush from spring breeding season. They handle this better every subsequent year, but that first one can derail them a bit, as you are seeing now. That's just to provide a framework, and reassure that he isn't doing this out of dislike for you. Brain chemistry is taking him over, but it's temporary. It can help to understand that, in a very real way, they are a victim of it too. They are just sort of in panic/overdrive mode and get carried away, but maturity will cure all ills on that front. All that said, it's critical that safety measures be in place because roosters can, of course, do some damage if you go in unprepared. I would advise planning coop chores for mid-day as much as possible. This is the time when hormones are lowest each day and he will be most in control. For letting them out in the morning, bring that barrier with you and just use it as a shield, holding it still in between you and him at all times. He will likely run up and want to engage at first, but quickly lose interest once he realizes he can't access anything but the lid. Be careful when leaving, sometimes they will attack once you turn to retreat. I often recommend backing away to a safe distance, keeping eyes on them while doing so. Just be very careful, move slowly, and be aware of fall hazards in your path. You do not want to find yourself on the ground with him wound up and nearby right now, so only do this if you are confident you can do it safely. Having them cooped one more day isn't the end of the world, so if you need your husband there to assist don't stress about it. You will want to make sure you are in jeans, sturdy shoes, and even thick long socks under your pants when you go out. I have a great wool pair that cushions any kicks very well. Even our sweet boys have the occasional fright or misunderstanding. It's also really important to make sure his spurs are trimmed and dulled if they are at all sharp. If you aren't able to handle him confidently enough to do this, ask around to try to enlist some help. Do be aware that things like twisting off spurs get recommended often and the claim is made that it doesn't hurt them. This is not true, it is definitely painful, so clipping the end much like trimming dog nails, then filing with a dremel on low speed is the safest and most compassionate method. Some keepers will put their young and hormonal boys in their own pen until the worst of this phase passes, but I always recommend trying other options first, just due to the stress and upset to flock dynamic that separation causes. It's something to keep in mind as a last resort, but I would definitely try other solutions first. 😉 If you have follow up questions, need tips on spur trimming, or even day by day help in working with him, please don't hesitate to toss us an email at jointheroovolution@gmail.com. We would be more than happy to help any way we can. We also help admin a Facebook group called Rooster Allies which we would highly recommend joining if you have an account. It's a great resource. Best wishes to you and your boy, and don't despair, patience and love work wonders. 🥰
@Torwyn11
Жыл бұрын
I was always alpha to ALL of my roosters, even the "mean" ones, and I loved them all. The pecking order is a real thing, but it can take work to stay at the top of it.
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
So true, we were shocked to learn how little time it takes for that social order to be upset. If the alpha is away for even a day in some cases the contest is on again. I imagine it took a ton of commitment and a very regular schedule on your part to keep that from deteriorating. ☺
@elisebartholow1163
2 ай бұрын
How do you handle this with multiple young kids around?
@Glorious_World_10
Жыл бұрын
Wow Amazing job by you two!!!
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much! So much of the credit goes to them. They really do just want to be close and loved, we just learned how to let them be. 🥰🤗
@crystalhooper7752
Жыл бұрын
I have a rooster I got as a day old...was hoping for a hen as I can't have roosters...so because I fell in love with the little dude...I made him my indoor boy. Fast forward...he's now 9 months and aggressive...started with the coming after me if he was put down...so I stopped letting him down and would only hold him...now if I pick him up...he quickly turns to grab on to wherever he can. He's indoor with outdoor time in the afternoon on nice days...he doesn't get to be with the hens...but can see them when he gets his outdoor time. I watched your video and see what I'm doing wrong but with my situation what do u think I should try?? I'm desperate to try anything cause I'd love to keep him and I definitely cannot kill him. Please help!!
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
Given your boy's age, it's quite likely that this is not any sort of real aggression, but more juvenile confusion driven by that hormone rush (amplified further by his first spring breeding season). When you said he will turn and try to bite whatever he can reach, it sounds very much like what our boys used to do around that age. After some trial and error, we were able to determine that they were making rather misguided mating attempts. Any time skin was at their chest level or lower, or even near their wing or back (basically just low and within reach) they would turn, bite, and clamp hard. Now it should be mentioned that the hormones can put them on edge and make them more irritable than normal, and they do a similar thing to express annoyance. The thing is, when they are irritated it's more of a sharp fast peck. This is different from the mating grab. So if he is biting and holding, it's much more likely he's just seeking an outlet for those urges. What we did to short circuit that behavior is just wear gloves until puberty wrapped up and they calmed down some. For whatever reason, they seem to only respond this way to bare skin. That's the first thing I would recommend trying. If covering your hands/arms with gloves and long sleeves stops the biting, you can safely assume that's what was going on. If he happens to get your skin, remember that the faster you pull away the more damage will be done in the process, do definitely do not jerk away if you can help it. We find the best way to get out of a mating bite is to steadily and slowly lift whatever their latched to up to a level that forces them to raise their neck and head high. They only want to engage this way when the object is low. Once it gets to about their eye level it seems to derail and prompt them to release on their own. If they are latched to something you can't lift, you can take your other hand and just gently remove their beak. While doing this, it could help to use a key word like "ouch" or "gentle". Over time he may well learn to avoid that all on his own, as he realizes that it's connecting to grabbing you that way. One of our boys knows gentle so well that I can reach for something on the ground directly in front of him and he won't make a grab as long as I say that word first. He still perks up in a way that makes clear that he has the idea to, he just knows he's being asked not to. Let's give the gloves a try and see how that modifies the behavior. If that guess is correct, that will solve that part and we can focus on getting him back to calm while on the ground too. Toss an email to jointheroovolution@gmail.com with any updates/additional details and we can go from there. When you do, please include some additional info on what it looks like when he goes after you. Sometimes they are just overly excited and not upset, but before advising further we'll need to be sure what his aims are with that response. KZitem doesn't notify for replies to replies, so that will be the most sure fire way to make sure we see it.
@vaiankothebird
Жыл бұрын
What about roosters who dont like to get close?
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
So for the boys who are distant, there's a good chance they are keeping a bit away because they are anxious about interaction. The solution to that is to become a very familiar and positive part of each day. You don't want to force interactions, as that can easily be misunderstood as a predatory move. The fight or flight response will take over and they'll wind up feeling attacked or captured, which will prevent them from getting anything positive out of it. There are two good options to start with. The preferred one would be, if you have a smaller enclosed area, set aside some time each day to sit out there, talk to him, and give him treats to pass on to the girls. The more regular a thing your presence is the better, but even just 15 minutes a day, or 10 minutes a couple times a day, would be a great start. Pick a time you can commit to, and make sure to stick to it if at all possible. Routine is a big deal for them, and knowing what to expect helps them feel safe. If you don't have a run, but you do have a coop that's large enough to enter, you can start going in for 15 minutes or so once they are all settled and the sun has just set. Chickens are much less reactive and more accepting of interaction once they are in "night mode" so this could give an opportunity to get some good interactions in with him. Gently stroke his neck feathers, or pet his earlobes, and just talk calmly to him. If he pecks at all, or acts bothered, try petting a different area (you should be able to quickly figure out which ones he enjoys). If he seems not to like any contact still, just be present and talk with him, tell him how pretty he is, what a good boy he was that day, etc. They may not understand our words, but they pick up on our tone and the sentiment (they know if we are pleased or displeased with them). So that would be step one, trying to get him used to close being pleasant, and step two would really be based on how all that goes and what options for time and space to interact you have. I would say start there, but toss us an email at jointheroovolution@gmail.com to update on how that's going and we can help identify good next steps in more detail from there. ☺
@sandymartin642
4 ай бұрын
What breed of rooster is that cream colored one behind you? That's a beautiful rooster🐓
@2FHomestead
Жыл бұрын
We are getting 8 hens and one rooster in the spring. The neighbor has dogs that bark like crazy when they are outside. There is a fence between the yards. Should I be concerned about the roo feeling threatened by them?
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
While it's possible that they might be a bit alarmed when they first hear it, it is unlikely that it would cause any lasting distress. We find that any regular disruptive noises (cars driving down the street, mowers in neighboring yards, etc) are quickly adjusted to and then just ignored and treated as "normal". If the chickens will be able to see the dogs through the fence, that might cause them more anxiety. But as long as they don't see them close by and it's just the noise of the barking you should be just fine. You can always put up visual barriers along that property line if seeing motion over there is upsetting them. Our dog often walks by the flocks' runs, or stops to look at them from just outside their area. Since it has happened so regularly they don't seem to worry at all about it. These days, they come right up to say hello through the wire. ☺
@20NewJourney23
6 ай бұрын
How has your neighbor's dog handled the chickens? Our neighbor's dog digs at the fence line and we have to constantly check the fence for breaches. It's ridiculous.
@darleneswetz8325
11 ай бұрын
My nieces rooster attacked her when she was leaving the run
@roovolution
10 ай бұрын
It's not uncommon for roosters to attack when someone turns away, they feel safer to engage by surprise. That said, the reason for the attack itself can vary quite a bit. I've seen our boys charge and peck as a means of scolding us, to tell us they don't want us to leave, but this can easily be a reaction to anxiety about a certain person being in their space or even a response to something like a certain pair of shoes that makes them uneasy. All attacks are a response to some sort of fear or upset, and will stop once that source of anxiety is addressed. Sometimes it's just a one-off interaction and never comes up again, but if it's a pattern of behavior it should be possible to identify and remedy the trigger. If you ever want help sorting out what's driving that sort of thing, don't hesitate to reach out via email to jointheroovolution@gmail.com. With a bit more info, I'm confident we could help you get to the bottom of it and identify a good strategy to correct it.
@passionflower4257
6 ай бұрын
Cats "notoriously solitary"? What planet do you live on, coz here on Earth feral cats actually live in colonies with many different social dynamics. They're more like monkeys in their social order if anything - they have friends and foes, girlfriends and best buds. Cats are NOT solitary!
@roovolution
5 ай бұрын
Feral cats do indeed form colonies, but they are a rather odd case, as they descend from domesticated breeds and have since returned to wild living. The vast majority of wild cats (those whose lineage has not been subjected to human intervention) are solitary in nature. This would be as opposed to wild canines like wolves who naturally form packs and operate as a hierarchy. Though these behaviors can be altered by efforts like selective breeding, we're looking here at the natural and unmodified predisposition of the genus.
@songoftheblackunicorn666
6 ай бұрын
And by the way I got my rooster Finn to eat from my hand this morning without him attacking me after watching this video
@roovolution
5 ай бұрын
What fantastic news! 😁 A big congratulations to both you and Finn! 🥰
@Tattiepoo1
11 ай бұрын
I sprayed my rooster with a little bottle when he jumps at me
@roovolution
9 ай бұрын
So sorry we're just seeing your comment. Spraying is a method that gets recommended a lot, but which we would recommend avoiding, not because it's violent, but because it still trains the rooster to see interaction with us as negative and unpleasant. Some will just become avoidant, others will feel threatened and become more aggressive, but it will always wind up making them less comfortable around us. Even if just for making things like health checks smoother, methods that train trust are always preferred. If you want any input on alternative methods for managing his behavior that can help him understand you are not a threat and he doesn't need to attack, let us know. We're always happy to chat and offer input. ☺
@dcolapret7
Жыл бұрын
What kind of Rooster is Meme? The speckled white one.
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
He is a barnyard mix (as are all his brothers). They have the same dad who we think was an Easter Egger and looked just like Daisy. If we had to guess at Mae's mom's breed, we would think likely Barred Rock or Dominique. He sure did come out pretty though. 🥰
@souravbiswas7395
Жыл бұрын
Poor rooster he was screaming for some cuddles
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
We joke sometimes that roosters require food, water, shelter, and cuddles. 😉
@AlexJones-vq5dm
3 ай бұрын
My roosters name is killer.
@songoftheblackunicorn666
6 ай бұрын
I love your videos
@trdi
Жыл бұрын
One of our hatches had 3 roosters and 1 hen. We kept all of them. They had massive fights for about 2 weeks, where there was blood all over the place and fights would go on for hours when they were outside. We were concerned some of them might die. But after two weeks, one of them won and all 4 of them lived happily ever after, being best buddies. The funny thing was that the two "losers" pretty much turned gay - they never touched the hen. It's weird how nature is.
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
They really do go all out figuring out who will lead. Our experience has been that they really aren't trying to harm each other, it's just a very big deal that they determine a conclusive winner. Of course, there are those rare cases where they really aren't willing to let it go, so it's always important to know when to intervene (for anyone else reading this 😉) but we've definitely also seen that crazy conflict just vaporize as soon as they sort out what they needed to.
@caperica
2 ай бұрын
I would consider getting more hens…your poor hen will suffer greatly being the only outlet for the rooster….and you have 3!
@user-ew9cc6ip9n
Жыл бұрын
Why do i watch your videos?)to be honest with you as a child i always had a problem with roosters,geeses,turkeys)they always attacked me,bite me,peck me for no reason,i love them but i am afraid of them)it sounds funny i always avoid them but at the same time i want to be a friend with them)
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
They can definitely be a bit scary to deal with, especially as a small child. They have such a different way of communicating, and such different things that frighten them, it's easy to have misunderstandings. It's all about finding out what has them upset and helping them feel safe. After that they make some of the greatest friends. We hope you get a chance to bond with one some day, to help undo the bad memories from when you were young. 🥰
@BinahBatEphraim
Жыл бұрын
You forgot to mention why are they so sexy! Lol 😂
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
We sure did! To be honest, we could totally make a full length video just talking about all the ways in which they are stunning handsome fellas. 😉😂
@vincentking8267
Жыл бұрын
Well the proof is in the pudding i guess.
@JoshuaNolt
Жыл бұрын
I think this video needs redone without chicken present
@roovolution
11 ай бұрын
Thank you so much for your input! We've actually been thinking of redoing it. Do you mind me asking, is it the crowing that is off-putting?
@JoshuaNolt
11 ай бұрын
@@roovolution yes. I tried watching the video with my wife and she shut the video off because she couldn’t stand the loud sounds. I was recommended this video by a family member after their rooster started going thru puberty. The video was helpful I just wasn’t able to watch the full thing with the loud crowing
@chickenfeeds8790
Жыл бұрын
🐓❤️🐓❤️🐓❤️🐓
@anikdasdigital
Жыл бұрын
Ahh Amazing. Your videos is superb. Can i talk with you?.
@roovolution
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much! And thanks for reaching out on FB and email as well! We will continue chatting there👍
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