Wish my big marans boy was still kinda touchy feelie but he's not anymore. Still a good boy and turned in to a top knotch flock leader. His little brother took a jump at me the other day but my Rooty boy hit him broadside before he made it to me, chased him to the other side of the yard. He came back and just kinda looked back over his shoulder like I took care of it boss. Thank you buddy, appreciate it I said. lol Chester probably stressing a little from his big brother kicking his tail lately for getting out of line with the girls. He's calming down some now and behaving himself better. You left that part out dude, have a training rooster on hand. lol

Overalls may be a bit cliche but ive found with holding chickens and rabbits they protect your belly from claws quite well.

I have one of my roosters that originally I gave to a feed store to sell. But the way they treated him a couple days later I went back and got him. Originally he was a mean nasty bird. When I got him back however, it didn't look like he had been eating or drinking. Somehow they might have abused him I don't know. So I kept him in my hospital crate for chickens then I nursed him back to health. I would let him out of his crate everyday that he could once he could walk again and he became the best little rooster ever he's not afraid of me he helps me with his girls. He's just a great rooster now. I do not recommend putting a chicken through a traumatic event in fact I will never do that again. I did not know they would abuse my chicken. But now what to do with my other rooster...

What about the brutal chicken war of 2023?

I do all these things with mine and I catch him up before daylight. And take him in the house and pet him. And talk to him until he calms down. He likes cut up hot dogs. I get between him and my dog . For some reason he kinda thinks he should attack her. But I agree show him you are alpha .

I've had one indifferent rooster I raised non hands on form a chick but he died before he became a colorful adult, I had one mean one who I got as an adult, I have one now whose rn a nice fellow but he's still a chick just starting to grow his crest. I hold him a lot to make him nice but I noticed the pecking thing, how do I stop it without getting physical.

Such cute birds..

I guess I am in trouble. I will boot my roosters like a football, if they attack me. One time, my most aggressive one attacked me from behind and I back kicked him 15 feet! Caught him by surprise. He learned the sneak attack wasn't such advantageous an idea. Now, my roosters don't attack me, but will attack others. How did "I" do it? Well..... Just flat kicking them isn't the answer. The main reason at least two of them love me. One of them I have brought back to life.... Three times! His name is Lazarus for that reason. The other one, named Big Red. Suffered a dog attack. He was beat to hell. Puncture holes in his body, defeathered, I brought him in the shower. Washed him, tended and put antibacterial cream on him wounds. Sat there with him. He did something I have seen no rooster do. He walked to me, put his head on my leg and let out a sigh, kind of moan noise. It was heart wrenching. I said, "I know" to him and rubbed the back of his head for several minutes From then on we have had a respectful relationship. On occasion, he will seek out my company, but in general we both do our yard thing and leave each other alone. Bumblefoot is my crap head. He is the one that took the 15 foot trip across the driveway. I love him because he is the biggest in the yard and is ornery like me (I relate with him). I DR'ed him with bumblefoot, thus his name. To break him of his issues I did the walk through him thing you mentioned. I then didn't let up until he ran at will, if I advanced on him. Giving him no time to reset or try to square back off. He is ever present when I am in the yard, now. I probably pick him up the most. He likes to be underfoot. He is the boss of the yard otherwise. He loves foraging with my one dog (who loves to dig). Overall, he can be the meanest, but is probably the most just rooster in the yard. The hens seem to favor hm and very few things make him retreat. He is a good 15 to 20 pounds. Ferris Bueler is so named cause he is never around. He is the hardest to get to do what you want. Can't be caught unless he is in the enclosure. If you touch him, he relocates. He doesn't like to be handled and I don't bother him anymore unless I have to. He has no band on his leg for that reason. He wants to be left alone and unless I need him to do something in particular, like go to the enclosure. I leave him be. We have a, "I'll live my life and you live yours" agreement 😅 Other things I will do with my chickens to keep the admiration of my birds? 1. Food!!! If I show in the yard, I normally throw at least a handful of scratch. I call the porch I use to go to the yard the "Rockstar stage". When my wife or i appear on it. It brings the Guineafowl, ducks, and chickens, running to observe the performance. We rarely walk the yard without an entourage. 2. If my chickens let me walk up to them when roosting. I call them by name, ask them how they are doing and delicately message their crops. They seem to appreciate this. 3. Routine. Do things during the day to a pattern. This way, the birds know what to expect. I lowers stress because they know what is going to happen and aren't guessing or feel threatened. After time, they will participate in the events. Following you to their enclosure at night, come time. Roosting at certain times of the day, seeking their crop messages. Meeting me at the porch when I come out, so I can be sure nothing is awry and can take a pseudo count of the yard to make sure no one is missing or sick (If there is a break in behavior. Can be indicator that the bird is suffering an affliction and can act as a guage to tell if they are in trouble). Overall, if you actually pay attention to your flock. You will find it is dynamic. All of you animals have distinct personalities. It can be fun identifying them and interacting with each bird as an individual. How you interact with them can influence their attitudes towards you. Personally, I love the interaction. It's real, it's raw, and it'can be engaging.

And if all else fails he'll make a good chicken stew and dumplings been there done that😊