The Comedic Rooster
New Approach to Taming Aggression:
So much on a homestead we are exposed to negative activity. In fact, that’s everywhere we go. Our small homestead is no exception.
Here we have 15 chickens with 14 hens and 1 rooster. Our rooster fancies himself a “very” special individual with his “funky”
tuft of feathers instead of a cone and his beautiful black, white, and blue feathering. He is a rare Appenzeller Spitzhauben, the national
bird of Switzerland. We have named him Fritz for his background.
We obtained Fritz and 2 other Appenzeller Spitzhauben roosters in a purchase of 16 chicks.
As new homesteaders, we had no real idea of what would happen. My personal career background involved years in classroom instruction both in education and on the corporate level.
I was used to disciplining students and thought I would try this on my roosters. There was Elvis with his black tuft reminding us of the young Elvis Presley and the Sarge .
Soon, the roosters began fighting one another. Some had told us to isolate the aggressive roosters until they calmed down. One after another, they spent time
in one of the rabbit cages we had. One after another the roosters stayed in isolation about a week a piece. Regrettably, two of them were killed by
the eventual victor, Fritz. Fritz was now the undisputed king of Hemme Farms. Yet despite our efforts at conventional taming
methods, his aggression didn’t stop. We just fed the chickens and gathered the eggs.
Last May our grandson came to visit one day while free ranging, Fritz decided he was too big for his britches and began to chase. He chased our grandson attempting
to spur him. The chase led to our front porch where I subdued the aggressor. I took him back to the coop uncertain as to what to do. The next day “Chicken Patrol” was born.
My wife had bought a water pistol for our grandson to play with. I told him he needed to get the rooster back for his aggressive behavior. Colin filled his water gun and was ready for action.
Along with his grandma, the hunt began. Soon, I heard a loud crowing and a loud snickering laugh. The rooster began running for his life and soon was back in the coop. From behind the ramp to the roost,
He let out his loudest crow, as if to say you can’t stop me!
Colin was more determined to get him. “Whoosh”, another blast hit Fritz. The grandparents laughed so hard they cried. A week later the rooster hurt his foot and now limps. Along with his grandma, the hunt began. Soon, I heard a loud crowing and a loud snickering laugh. The rooster began running for his life and soon was back in the coop. From behind the ramp to the roost, He let out his loudest crow, as if to say you can’t stop me! Colin was more determined to get him. “Whoosh”, another blast hit Fritz. The grandparents laughed so hard they cried. A week later the rooster hurt his foot and now limps. Needless to say, his behavior has improved drastically but the laughs have been endless. Yet despite his disability, he has become a comedian. He is the king of drama and constantly crows like a kid wanting attention when company comes over. We keep the water pistol near the pen. When we hear an obnoxious crowing, out comes the water!! Fritz may fly up to 3 feet in the air when squirted. “Stop, cluck and roll!!