The Official Forum of the Ameraucana Breeders Club > Housing, Health & Hatching
Rooster Trouble
John:
I don't handle my birds much and don't think any are aggressive. Yes, a broody hen will peck at me when I collect eggs and some cocks, especially LF silvers, will peck me when I collect eggs from small breeding coops where there are pairs or trios. I see that as just being protective.
Several years ago I obtained a bantam silver to breed from, but he was very aggressive and would run after me when I was in his pen and turned my back on him. As much as I needed a bantam silver cock for breeding, I got rid of him before he could be a daddy.
I've bred every variety of Ameraucana and still believe the buffs are the most docile and the silvers the most flighty.
I received an email yesterday from member Kristine Malcolm and it brought this topic to mind. They have a LF black cock that her son Walter shows and wins with. She mentioned...
--- Quote ---Even Gus (5yrs) can handle him with no trouble!
--- End quote ---
Even though I think silvers are the most flighty, she also mentioned...
--- Quote ---Lastly, Walter is now using one of the silver bantam hens...for showmanship.
--- End quote ---
For what it is worth. ;)
Janet:
Thanks ever so much for everyone's advice and experiences.
I've done some things wrong, but I think the worst thing I did was that I didn't recognize some bad behavior as aggressive before it really escalated.
I don't think some of my mistakes can be avoided. For example, I fly my macaws outdoors. Their aviaries are near the free ranging flock's coop and is a favorite place for the chickens to hang out. If my macaws are spooked by a hawk or, more frequently, a curious vulture, I will use a big, loud coach's whistle to contact call them. If the rooster is close, it makes him crazy. I don't know if I can ever not use my whistle.
I hope I do a better job with my next group of chicks that are now about 2 months old. I have two bantam roosters that are no problem at all, so I have hope I am not doing everything wrong.
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