Understanding Your Rooster.

Very interesting read! I had no idea their lives were this complex.
Two things I'd like to add, that I'd like to get more insight on.
One, I may have misunderstood, but isn't the mating dance when the rooster hops around the hen with one wing spread out? I've seen mine do it, but none of the descriptions seem to quite match that? I think it looks rather awkward and funny.
Second, is a behavior I've noticed in my flock. It is the younger (stronger, more vigorous) roosters that chase away the seniors. We had been allowing our oldest rooster to stay in the frontyard (normally this is off limits to chickens) because he was being bullied. Soon after he died - there were 5 roosters left -, the next oldest one became the target. I still put him in the coop at night and he's fine in the dark, but escapes to the frontyard soon after being let out in the morning. (We have 2 coops, one for chickens and one for ducks; they all free range the backyard during the day; i have taken to putting this roo in with the ducks for his safety). I have recently seen a behavior that shocked me, I saw the other roos all ganging up on him to chase him off. I had expected one on one fights, but this was basically mobbing. What's up with that?
I have grown up around chickens (mixed flock), and I don't recall ever having a "mean" (aggressive to humans) rooster. I'm not really doing anything special with the purpose of "taming" them, just kinda going on instinct. It does seem the rooster in question has gotten used to being picked up in the dark, because although he still complains he no longer freaks out.
This is just about the closest they get to cuddling/grooming; both hens and roos get picked up if they chose a bad place to sleep outside the coop, and to trim their wings; i also trim roosters' spurs, but that's really just so they don't hurt the hens when they breed. I also pick up & cuddle broody hens (typically, that's the silkie) when getting them off the nest - i call this "bothering the hen".
I also bring them food (feed trough + compost pile; ocassionally sharing produce from the garden when it's in season), and if they get too close (not aggressive, just in my way; or, sometimes, i have to chase them off the "forbidden land" if they escaped into either the frontyard or garden) i just kinda shoo them with a flip of my arm. I've never felt the need to worry about human aggression from my flock.

Very detailed and informative. I have learned a lot and I appreciate the insight into the rooster mind.

Information all can use and much we need to know. I read somewhere not to use your foot, now I know why. I will be re-reading parts of this article over. I may try slowly, over time, the grooming. Thank you

Informative, original and enjoyable. I have never heard that the shuffle may be herding me. I sure didn;t feel the short, half-hearted effort my boy made by a shuffle was agressive at all. I will observe some more but remain alert.

That was one awesome and very well written article on rooster behavior and hens to a lesser degree! The observations of Shadrach had to have taken years of observing and note taking! Very enjoyable! Anyone interested in rooster behavior should read it. Kudos to Shadrach on one great article! Loved it!

Great article, thank you for this detailed write-up of your experiences. It's just what I needed as I navigate dealing with a bunch of cockerels after a recent egg hatching. I particularly appreciate your commentary on boss behavior and how the rooster helps the flock in ways the caretaker can't. I'm off to read all your other articles!!

This is a really good, in-depth article on roo behavior, and very helpful. Thanks!

This is an encyclopedia article for anyone wanting to learn to understand their rooster! Completely thorough on every aspect.

I was particularly interested in the section on tribeless roosters. We breed silkies here, and can't use all of the roosters, so the rest, around a dozen, all free range. There are no hens free-ranging, they're in breeding pens.

I save these roosters because I may use them as they're beautiful or of the color I want to use down the road. They free range until then. They do get along for the most part, although today I noticed one breeding another one, and the "victim" took it like a hen. That was odd.

They do have a spat now and then, but they normally roam peacefully around the yard and it's quite pretty to see.

In the age of "instant reads', not everything can be properly covered like that.
The article covers the depth of behavior in a valuable experience/studied format which is preferable to form ideas about. Organized; the perfect foundation for advancing animal behavior study (is logically analyzed experience).

Best rooster behavior information available on the internet.

My new go to encyclopedia on everything rooster!

Thank you so much Shadrach! This is an excellent and comprehensive article, well written and enjoyable with the story-telling of your tribes. I wish I had read this a year ago, before culling my 2nd in command Polish rooster. He often ran at me - and I did the foot shuffle at him, which I now see was an act of aggression that by nature he had to respond to. A year later, and his #1 hen has still not accepted the #1 roo (Ameraucana) which has caused some stress for both of them. He isn't tolerating her lack of submission very well, and likely due to the stress, she hasn't laid an egg since shortly after her roo's death. They do form strong bonds.
I have 3 cockerels now to choose one from. The offspring of the Ameraucana, (a mix) who in his first 4 months has been great. Same temperament as his sire - calm and confident. He is a teen now and trying to establish himself a flock. He doesn't court though - just strikes & strikes out. Do you know if early behaviours are indicative of the temperament they will have as adults? Is his pre-teen days a sign of a good roo? I have to choose between him and 2 younger Blue Copper Marans, who are about 15 weeks now - and one of them is huge! Any thoughts on Blue Copper Marans roosters tolerating other Roosters?

What amazing observations! This is a must-read for those new, and some seasoned, keepers of chickens.

After being 'attacked' by my Araucana cockerel yest eve I was ready to return him to his breeder. But I sat here til late last nite reading and this morning asked the breeder to give me a few more days.

Terrific article a must read for all who have chickens.

Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!

What an amazing article, Shadrach! I appreciate all the hard work you put into it, and it definitely helps me understand my own guy better.

Finally got round to reading this masterpiece. Thank you so much for writing this. It is well written, structured, and very easy to follow. I've noticed most of these behaviours with my own flock, and find them to be the epitome of chicken keeping. Those small behaviors, the everyday things are where the true beauty of chickens is. Thank you once again for writing this article!

As a rooster advocate, I find this the best article I have ever read. Thank you @Shadrach for the time and effort you put into observing and writing the facts, but facts with love for roosters.

This has given me so much hope for my boys! This is an amazing comprehensive education on Roosters! Thank you!

I deeply enjoyed the scientific neutral point of observation. Thank you so much