Cockerel keeps bringing me food.. what do I do to correct this?

[KikiDeAnime]

Well, I'm not sure, then. I have one who occasionally challenges me. I usually have a food bucket to put casually between us. Once it was empty and I gently slipped it over his little self. Didn't hold it there above 5 seconds. He didn't approach me after that for a while, but He did eventually go after me again once. He just ran himself into the bucket. That's been 3-4 weeks past, maybe longer.

I don't turn my back on him. I would process him, but I want to put him in with the girls first. He's my only rose-comb rooster, and I want to eventually have a flock with all rose-combed (or similar) birds. It's cold up here on the mountain.

I don't like his attitude, but I've got him and a few hens with rose combs so I'll worry about attitudes later. There are no children here and so far I'm having no trouble handling him. I never cuddled any of them (too many). He's just over-supplied with testosterone, I guess.

We've never had an aggressive rooster/cockerel. We've always got lucky with the friendly ones. Spotted Elk is our 4th cockerel.

 

[microchick]

I have a little Silver Duck Wing Old English Game Bantam that does that to me. On nice days he will meet me at the run gate, chattering like a magpie, picking up an offering for me whether it be a pine chip or a tiny piece of cracked corn. Slightly different as Little Joe can sit in the palm of my hand. His mother died when he was barely 4 weeks old and admittedly I took over mothering him, giving him extra attention, cuddles and treats. I can't figure out if he thinks I'm a really tall bantam hen or his mother.

I've ignored his ummmm 'advances' until recently when I started bending over, accepting his gift, patting him on the back and then walking away from him. One night I told him I was truly flattered by his attention but I was happily married, thank you, and went about my business. He stopped tidbitting, at least for that moment.

I doubt if my technique would work with a larger rooster. I have had it happen with one......I've found with them a sideways controlled punt usually worked when one tried to dance for me.

What can I say, either ya got it or you ain't. WhateverI 'got' it drives the young roosters wild!

 

[BlueBaby]

Either he think's you don't eat enough, or he think's that you might be one of his hen's.

 

[aart]

Walk thru him when he brings the food.
Is he the only male around when this happens?
Does he call for the girls when he drops food near you...and do they come?

 

[Folly's place]

I'd ignore him and happen to walk through him more often. No eye contact, no hand feeding, just act as though it's all not happening.
Mary

 

[KikiDeAnime]

Walk thru him when he brings the food.
Is he the only male around when this happens?
Does he call for the girls when he drops food near you...and do they come?

Yes, only male.
He never calls the girls when he does that to me but he has called them when he gives them food and only the 4 pullets and 1 hen will come when he calls them over. The rest of the hens still haven't accepted him so they ignore or attack him if he's near them.

 

[centrarchid]

I actually do walk like a boss around them

I think he is going to challenge you for that privilege. His current behavior may be an invitation to fight.

I would like to see a video of what he does now.

 

[Folly's place]

Agree. He's behaving as though you are another chicken, and that's not true.
Mary

 

[drumstick diva]

I eat a lot of chicken but, thank goodness I've haven't been mistaken for one .

 

[KikiDeAnime]

Update!
Sorry for not responding to any of the recent replies. We just had a hawk attack happen while I was out with them during their 1hr free ranging time. Spotted Elk tried to fight it off but it sliced up his back. I managed to scare the hawk off and put all the hens, pullets, and duck away. Spotted Elk is currently inside and I've seen to his injuries.