| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| rubyleesmom |
Posted - Feb 13 2012 : 08:50:54 AM
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get over a serious fear of roosters? We currently have 2 roosters in our flock and although neither one of them have ever acted aggressive in any way towards us, I am just flat terrified of them. Our last rooster was horribly mean and would come at you everytime you turned your back to him. We no longer have him but in the last batch of hens we got there were 2 that ended up crowing and now I am a total fraidy-cat when I get near them. I will only gather eggs when we let the flock out to run around and I can get in the coop and shut the door behind me and the rest of the time I make my husband do it..and I always carry a large stick or something with me just in case because I guess it just makes me feel like i could protect myself. Im sure like most animals they can sense my fear, but it is very embarrasing when a 5 year old little girl is more brave than me! |
| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| tangledthreads |
Posted - Feb 16 2012 : 06:59:44 AM
Yes, I know your fear! So, there are no roosters in our flock!
*´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´Michelle Farmgirl #85
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangledthreadstn My Altered Art
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You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
Mahatma Ghandi
Well behaved women rarely make history.
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| msdoolittle |
Posted - Feb 14 2012 : 5:33:21 PM
Don't be embarrassed. Intact male animals (no matter the size) should always be approached with caution! I have had some real devils, roosterwise. After you have been around poultry for a while and have been through many batches of chickens, you will find that some roos are just almost inherently evil and others are as sweet as, or ever sweeter than, hens.
I currently have 2 adult roos, and several 'up and comers', all of which are as docile as a lamb. I have Showgirls and Silkies. (SGs are a Silkie/Turken cross) You will find that with some breeds, the roos are almost always sweet (like Silkies) and some tend to be devilish (like Rhode Island reds and Leghorns), but it is NOT always the case.
I had a little Silkie roo that would come after me, full force! I have previously had a Millefleur D'Uccle that was EEEEEVIL (they are the size of a pigeon!). I carried a small stick and I used it a time or two. I believe that they do 'sense' any fear/apprehension and they'll use it to their advantage IF they are an aggressive bird.
However, with an extremely aggressive roo, it's best for all involved to assign him to freezer duty or coyote chow. I'm sorry, but why carry on aggressive genetics when there are very docile roos out there? These roos would come after my kids and that's the end of the line for them. :0(
I just rehomed a tom turkey that was a real butt. Now HE would come after you and try to jump up on your legs when you walked away. I mean, I even caught him to show him I wasn't scared and it made NO difference. I warned the man who took it, and he emailed me to say that if he kept that up, he'd end up as supper! No one should have to put up with an aggressive animal.
Anyway, I still love roosters. They really can be the most personable, friendly birds. You just have to get acquainted with their 'language' and movements, which differ greatly from hens.
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
| mudpony farmgirl |
Posted - Feb 14 2012 : 3:42:35 PM
I had the same roo phobia - the last place I boarded my horses had a really really mean one that liked to sneak up when you were mucking stalls! I got my own chickens at my own farm and got a few roos that I hadn't planned on - I'm guessing the "pullets" label was on the wrong tank. Luckily the two I ended up with have turned out to be pretty nice boys so far, though I still carry a stick (dressage whip, actually) when I'm in the pen with them, and I'm always looking behind me to make sure they're not creeping up!! Of course as soon as I'm out of the pen I have to go and have a good laugh at myself :) |
| rubyleesmom |
Posted - Feb 14 2012 : 12:25:35 PM
Thanks guys for all the kind words and encouragement..the more times I read this post the more I laugh because I realize how ridiculous I sounded when I wrote it..lol! That is why I love yall farmgirls! But it seroiusly freaks me out and it sure helps to hear that there are others who feel the same way. I like the idea for the chicken and dumplings but my hubby actually likes having them around. Beth, we bought our little flock from the feed store and "thought" we got all hens but lo and behold a couple of them started crowing as they got a little older! |
| Alee |
Posted - Feb 14 2012 : 04:50:20 AM
Our preschool has chickens and had a really mean Bantam rooster. They finally put him in a cage inside (rabbit hutch) and after a few months of being brought inside and loved on, he is the tamest, funniest rooster! He wants to be petted ALL the time. He paces back and forth clucking at you unless you stop to pet him. He really loves his comb stroked which feels like soft velvet. It's so funny. My husband has to pet him every morning. He really likes the rooster! Now he wants to have a rooster for a pet.
I have to say- I have never been a huge fan of roosters, but if we could tame one like Mr. Bantam then I wouldn't mind having one around!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
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| Hoosiermom |
Posted - Feb 13 2012 : 10:00:30 PM
I have the same fear. I always said "NO CHICKENS"; simply because of our mean roosters we used to have when I was growing up. Guess what...I just told my hubby last week, I am ready to get chickens, I am tired of buying eggs from the neighbors & we have the space to have chickens. I am pretty sure though, that I will not give in to a rooster. They look pretty running around the pasture & love to hear them cock-a-doodle-do, but they scare me to death. |
| oldbittyhen |
Posted - Feb 13 2012 : 5:26:51 PM
Do you have any 4-H'ers n your area that raise show poultrey, they would have sweet/calm roosters that are used to being handled, and I'm sure they would be more than willing to help...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
| gramadinah |
Posted - Feb 13 2012 : 5:18:41 PM
Chicken and dumplings. Why have some thing around that you are not comfortable with. I never keep the roosters. Your hens don't need them and really I think do better with out them.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
| batznthebelfry |
Posted - Feb 13 2012 : 09:36:45 AM
Oh sweet hen, don't worry about this, it will take time for you to get over your fear after you had such a mean Roo before these guys....Just keep doing what you are doing & as time goes by it will get easier for you....you can not just drop such a fear & the chickens may know you are afraid but they will still just do their chicken thing while you are near by.....chatty & Cashmire both attacked me & they were my 1st two roos who I loved but hated the spurs in the legs....they finally went to freezer camp but now Cashmires son is a true sweet heart.....i worried at first he might be like his daddy but he has proved to be such a sweet soul that I don't fear him when I see him out & about.......please don't feel bad or push yourself to get over your fear....as long as you can do what you are doing in time it will get easier & you will relax more so you can enjoy our Roos like you do the hens....Michele'
Chickens rule!
The Old Batz Farm
Hen #2622
http://theoldbatzfarm.blogger.com |
