04/15/2025
The face of a boy who has been overcome by his first spring hormones. Roosters are bred to do certain things. They are protectors. Plum is no exception.
If you have a rooster, you need strategies for attacks. Otherwise it's too easy for a human to get mad and lash out. We are the stewards, we are the humans, and we are called to be kind.
Here is my plan that usually I go by when dealing with boys. You may have completely different techniques, and different boys sometimes call for different methods. We each use what works for our own farms (please remember, you can use your own rules on your farm without belittling others for their choices. Be kind.).
*Prevention: be aware of triggers, wear different kinds of clothes, hats, masks, introduce them to all kinds of people, cage if catching girls
1. What motivated the attack? Me chasing a girl, me running my hand right in front of his chest, am I wearing red or hot pink...then it's my fault. A fight or scare that day? New people/birds around? Unless he's truly aggressive, I will not punish a boy for an attack that I provoked or that was provoked by unusual circumstances. I will walk away before I touch him.
2. How bad is the attack? Flying towards my face with claws extended is super bad. Was there anything that could have provoked this? Go back to #1 until you have an answer.
3. My responses based on severity:
A. Disciplinary grooming. Beak/toenail trimming. Above the waist attack -spur removal if appropriate. I teach them that attacks are their signal to me to let me know they want grooming. If I groom at other times I give them treats.
B. Water. Continued floggers get sprayed. If it's warm, they can get soaked. Not much if it's cold (Some boys just stay at this level. They don't escalate, but their protection instinct is strong. Reaching in for bowls can trigger an attack if they are too close. Lots of these are just good boys that you need to be extra careful not to trigger).
C. Side scoop. No toe kicks. But a side scoop where you use the side of your foot to lift and toss is appropriate for big attacks.
D. Solitary. Face/chest attacks -grabbed and caged. Make sure they have a water bowl & food.
E. Constantly aggressive and downright mean: time to consider putting them down in a humane fashion. (Again, this is my choice and may not be yours.)
Notice none of my ideas hurt a rooster, other than their pride. Even if the last choice, the one I hate, is necessary, it is done quickly and that boy is never abused. If you are tempted to abuse a rooster because of his natural response, put him in a cage and walk away. Shut the door, cool down. Don't keep a dangerous rooster who goes for your head. Walk away if you are tempted to hurt him in anger. He may need to be put down, but make that decision purposefully when you are calm.
We can be kind even when we have to make hard decisions.
Prevention is best.
Breed for good personality.
Be aware, be calm, be kind.
The Morning Moo by JOs Farms
