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KalJen Farm:
Well, in what I have seen and raised. I believe the really bad aggression is genetic. Some could be possibly from a confrontation of a predator at a young age. I am a firm believer that aggression in most cases is just fear of you. I honestly think there is no way to get the aggression out of an overconfident male that has been handled a lot. There might though be a chance to calm down the fearful male that hasn’t been handled. I think it just depends on the bird. I have a few guys at my place that are so mean to the point they charge up against the cage door when I try to open it. I just use a metal trash can lid.......works for me and it is easy to keep them back. I experimented the other day with a cock bird that was in a 3x3 cage. He went to charge at me and I just shoved the lid at him. He tried that a few more times but he eventually figured out the LID wasn’t afraid of him, or he could have just been dizzy from getting thrown against the wall. He has yet to attack me with it. All else fails.....I have really thick deer skin gloves.. :P  Oh and as to the showing issues. As long as he isn’t overly aggressive I would show them. Judges know how to handle them, if I have another choice though I don’t take them.

bantamhill:
Have you tried to cage train him? The meal worms or the soft dog food that comes in the little packets work really well as training food and might change his behavior. I have a mean cock currently. As soon as I have what I need from him he will be a family dinner.

I agree that meaness is genetic. All of his daughters are sassy!

Michael

Beth C:
I agree on aggression being genetic. While none of my buffs are aggressive to people, all of the males are pretty laid back (as was my original male), always near the bottom of the pecking order in a bachelor pen, but the females are terrors (as was the original hen). Even the youngest pullet will quickly establish herself in a mixed group. Strangely, they seem to get along reasonably well amongst themselves, but show other varieties no mercy.

As far as human aggression, I've had 2 males that would attack and try to spur you, and in both cases they were caged alone for an extended period trying to keep them in good feather for shows. They became very territorial about the cages and the aggression continued after they were turned loose. They were sold for meat. One was beautiful and went RB at his only show, but pretty is as pretty does.

I haven't had much experience with chickens biting. When the parrots forget their manners a tap on the beak and a firm"NO!" works pretty well but not sure a chicken would get the point. :-\

jerryse:
On roosters try nice long strokes down the back all the wat to the tail when handling them during cage training them.It is a move used when trying to collect semen for AI.Gives him a bit of a thrill.A weakness for most males.He soon likes to be handled.   

mustangsaguaro:

--- Quote from: bantamhill on December 28, 2012, 09:42:22 AM ---Have you tried to cage train him? The meal worms or the soft dog food that comes in the little packets work really well as training food and might change his behavior. I have a mean cock currently. As soon as I have what I need from him he will be a family dinner.

I agree that meaness is genetic. All of his daughters are sassy!

Michael

--- End quote ---

I have not tried cage training him as the only type of cage I have is a somewhat medium sized metal parrot cage (was left on the property I live on by a previous tennant). Other options I have an might be a bit small are the animal carriers you would carry your cat in if going to the vet. Might be a bit to small. Other than the biting thing this bird I would not consider aggressive at all. I don't tolerate aggressive birds. THere are too many nice ones out there. What I consider aggressive is if a bird were to attack me and I do nothing to make the bird feel threatened. Used to have a bird like that and he was gone pretty quickly.

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