Cockerel behavior

[Shadrach]

Newbie to chicken-raising! I have 14 chicks of various breeds that range from near 4 to 6 weeks, and so far, I have only identified one cockerel, Rudy. He is a RIR who is the largest and appears to be the oldest chick of the bunch. He seems to be already exhibiting quite a few roo-ish behaviors that I am trying to understand. He will peck the other chicks if I am holding them! He will pace around me, giving me the one eyeball stare, peeping incessantly, and he will sneak in and attempt to peck them on the feet or even on the body if he can't get to their feet. I am wondering if he is "jealous" of me or if he is already expressing possession of the other chicks?? He is docile otherwise and will allow me to hold him, so I am just curious if this is normal behavior or if it is a sign he will be "mean" later, since he hasn't even gone through chicken "puberty" yet lol.

Contrary to some opinions, how he develops as he matures will primarily be down to how you treat him on the way.
People can and do raise non human aggressive cockerels to roosters by just keeping them at a distance. I want a bit more then that from a rooster.
You can go the intimidation route and strut around believing you're the boss. If you're lucky the rooster may become frightened of you enough not to give you any problems. People do this as well. Not a route I'm interested in.
I've 7 roosters free ranging here each with their own group of hens. The free ranging part makes an enormous difference.
I wrote a fairly long article about rooster behavior that may help you. I don't know how well or badly it translates for contained roosters. However, the behavioral signs will be pretty much the same. While it's true all roosters are individuals, much like any other species there are behavioral traits that are common and knowing what these are can help one avoid problems before they arise.
Have a read and see what you can use from my experiences. I've had some shockers but they came good with a bit of thought and effort.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/understanding-your-rooster.75056/

 

[EggWalrus]

Thanks aart! I have been gently pushing him away when he does so. Will try the pecking lol. In my ignorance, I was hoping that handling him more frequently would keep him from being "mean" as he got older. I've read articles about people tucking their adult roos under an arm and basically forcing them to be submissive, so I guess I misinterpreted that into thinking I should keep him as friendly as possible.

I don't think that will work. Only way to tame a rowdy Roo from the get go is to caponize them, or put a dog shock collar on them.
If neither of those work within a month, he needs to be swimming with the dumplings in the evening.

 

[EggWalrus]

I hope yall know I was joking! I've never been able to keep a shock collar on a rooster without him slipping out of it!

 

[smott]

Contrary to some opinions, how he develops as he matures will primarily be down to how you treat him on the way.
People can and do raise non human aggressive cockerels to roosters by just keeping them at a distance. I want a bit more then that from a rooster.
You can go the intimidation route and strut around believing you're the boss. If you're lucky the rooster may become frightened of you enough not to give you any problems. People do this as well. Not a route I'm interested in.
I've 7 roosters free ranging here each with their own group of hens. The free ranging part makes an enormous difference.
I wrote a fairly long article about rooster behavior that may help you. I don't know how well or badly it translates for contained roosters. However, the behavioral signs will be pretty much the same. While it's true all roosters are individuals, much like any other species there are behavioral traits that are common and knowing what these are can help one avoid problems before they arise.
Have a read and see what you can use from my experiences. I've had some shockers but they came good with a bit of thought and effort.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/understanding-your-rooster.75056/

@Shadrach, thanks so much! I actually did just read this article last night as I searched this site for answers after I made this post. Very informative and interesting read! I was under the impression I should try to coax him into being as friendly as possible, so I am a little sad that this may not be the best approach. My goal in raising chickens is backyard pets, so I don't really "need" a rooster for breeding purposes... just thought it would be rewarding to have one for many of the reasons you pointed out in your article and I certainly want to give him a chance to be a part of my flock!

 

[Shadrach]

@Shadrach, thanks so much! I actually did just read this article last night as I searched this site for answers after I made this post. Very informative and interesting read! I was under the impression I should try to coax him into being as friendly as possible, so I am a little sad that this may not be the best approach. My goal in raising chickens is backyard pets, so I don't really "need" a rooster for breeding purposes... just thought it would be rewarding to have one for many of the reasons you pointed out in your article and I certainly want to give him a chance to be a part of my flock!

There is no reason why you shouldn't be a able to have friendly rooster. I have two in particular here atm that are very friendly but it's mostly on their terms, not mine.
I'm fortunate in being in the position of not having to do most of the things that tend to elicit aggressive responses. I have to be mindful if I pick up one of their hens and with one in particular egg collecting is less stressful for him if he doesn't see me do it.
I'm more than happy to adjust my behavior to suit them. I'm a grown man and have nothing to prove to a creature one tenth of my bodyweight. Some people don't see it like this.
Most roosters here do not fully settle down until they are about two years old.

 

[aart]

Should I let him be avoidant ? As long as he isn’t aggressive with us when we are handling then hens, is that a good sign?

Yes and For Sure!
How old is he?

 

[Chickassan]

If I were you i'd do my best to be freindly with him if I was determined to keep him.
Doing something as simple as giving him a couple raisins or a bite of bread when you see him will earn you tons of coop cred.
Intimidation tactics are bad news especially with penned males, better to be a raisin dispenser.
He will always be pleased to see you and less likely to be naughty.
Boys have plenty enough sense not to harass a structured, sure thing treat dispenser, it isn't in their best intrest.
However, do not pick him up and pet him right now he'll take it the wrong way and deflower your shoes in a couple months.
Im telling you this because his behavior suggests the need to define the relationship between you both.
Time to forever mold his thoughts and reactions concerning you.
Sooner you start the more value you can have him put on your presence in what will be his territory and in dealings with his future ladies.

 

[Buckeye Amy]

This I find This very interesting. We have one cockerel and he seems very avoidant. He doesn’t attack us or anything but he keeps his distance.
The kids and I go out daily and spend time with our flock and the pullets are very curious. We pet them, pick them up, and interact with them. But Blue (our cockerel, Blue Wyandotte) will hang in the back. He will come up to us, but if you reach for him he backs away and doesn’t like us touching him.

I was beginning to get worried that his avoidance was a bad sign. We plan to keep him and I have heard stories about aggressive roosters. So I thought if we worked more with him, held him more that it would help. Is this wrong?? Should I let him be avoidant ? As long as he isn’t aggressive with us when we are handling then hens, is that a good sign?

Sorry first time Cockerel Baba here. Thanks for any feedback in advance.

That's GOOD respectful behavior from a roo. That's what you want. A healthy respect. The ones that are really forward and approach without fear should be pushed away. There are several great articles on BYC that address rooster behavior.

 

[BabasCoop]

Yes and For Sure!
How old is he?

He is about 7 weeks. They are in the coop and I let them have full access to the run for the first Time tonight. They loved it. But Blue did like Blue always does. Just walked around did his own thing. Completely avoiding me. He would walk around and come near me, but seemed completely unconcerned with what I was doing. But if I reached for him he would just rapidly walk away.

 

[aart]

He is about 7 weeks. They are in the coop and I let them have full access to the run for the first Time tonight. They loved it. But Blue did like Blue always does. Just walked around did his own thing. Completely avoiding me. He would walk around and come near me, but seemed completely unconcerned with what I was doing. But if I reached for him he would just rapidly walk away.

That's good IMO.
Will he hand feed?