I've always tried the boot and didn't understand why it doesn't work. I sent this to my daughter saying "You have to be mean to them when younger for them to be nice. Being nice to them makes them mean when older." Assuming they are only nice when controller by a more dominate rooster. Thanks great info. Maybe have to breed a new cockerel to replace daddy. Now, could daddy train him to be nice too? Then when he's ready daddy hides in the crockpot. 