For the rooster ppl, yet another odd question

[z3lda3]

Hi! I’ve got a mixed flock of 4 RSLs, couple of legbars, austrolorp, Brahma and a couple of bantams. My only rooster is a bantam. All the chickens are roughly the same age (18-20weeks) but definitely some size differences. I’ve been slowly integrating them all together in the chicken yard. Today everyone’s all together. The RSLs are bigger than everybody else, but for the MOST part things are going ok. The yard is good sized, with plenty of hiding spots or tables to jump on if need be. Every once in a while my bigger girls will chase the other chickens, I swear just for the fun of it, no injuries or biting just chasing. My little rooster will run for a while and then just stops. He stares at the chaser and does this odd sideways shuffle. And the big girls back off. My question is, is he saying “ok toots that’s enough, I’m getting mad” or “ ooo baby what a turn on, I’m ready to jump on your back”. Seriously I’ve never seen a roo do this side shuffle. Is it a warning? Just curious.

 

[paradisepentacoop]

My bantam Sebright roosters do a sideways shuffle with their wings against their legs in a somewhat possessive manner, almost corralling the hen of their choice in a semi-circle. I think its more a "Hey, I am an adult and you are an adult lady and you belong to me". My head rooster will try to do it to me too and seems a little sad I am not corralled in his little dance. But these are my first chickens as an adult, so take my anecdote with a grain of salt!

(Also forgot to note, most of my hens are full-size, so the size discrepancy is hilarious, but with some effort, the roosters are able to do their thing)

 

[z3lda3]

My bantam Sebright roosters do a sideways shuffle with their wings against their legs in a somewhat possessive manner, almost corralling the hen of their choice in a semi-circle. I think its more a "Hey, I am an adult and you are an adult lady and you belong to me". My head rooster will try to do it to me to and seems a little sad I am not corralled in his little dance. But these are my first chickens as an adult, so take my anecdote with a grain of salt!

This is my first year chicken year! And I’m most definitely still learning. I think chicken behavior is so cool, I wish I understood it more lol.

 

[paradisepentacoop]

Best way to learn is to be here and curious! And of course out in the coop!

 

[z3lda3]

Best way to learn is to be here and curious! And of course out in the coop!

I spend sooo much time in the coop/yard. My roo is a riot! He’s this tiny guy, but the walks the perimeter with his chest stuck out like he’s 10ft tall. And any predators that are a threat, he takes care of business. Like this morning there was a menacing cardinal lurking about, well Gomez put a stop to that immediately! And butterflies in the yard??? He won’t have it!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

@Shadrach, care to educate our newbies?

 

[aart]

My question is, is he saying “ok toots that’s enough, I’m getting mad” or “ ooo baby what a turn on, I’m ready to jump on your back”. Seriously I’ve never seen a roo do this side shuffle. Is it a warning?

Probably a bit of both.

I spend sooo much time in the coop/yard.

I did too, the first few years...observation is a good way to learn.
To realize what's what so you can know when something might be off.

Asking questions and reading here will help you understand what you observe.

 

[Chicken_tiger_catt]

Hi! I’ve got a mixed flock of 4 RSLs, couple of legbars, austrolorp, Brahma and a couple of bantams. My only rooster is a bantam. All the chickens are roughly the same age (18-20weeks) but definitely some size differences. I’ve been slowly integrating them all together in the chicken yard. Today everyone’s all together. The RSLs are bigger than everybody else, but for the MOST part things are going ok. The yard is good sized, with plenty of hiding spots or tables to jump on if need be. Every once in a while my bigger girls will chase the other chickens, I swear just for the fun of it, no injuries or biting just chasing. My little rooster will run for a while and then just stops. He stares at the chaser and does this odd sideways shuffle. And the big girls back off. My question is, is he saying “ok toots that’s enough, I’m getting mad” or “ ooo baby what a turn on, I’m ready to jump on your back”. Seriously I’ve never seen a roo do this side shuffle. Is it a warning? Just curious.

He’s totally flirting

 

[z3lda3]

Probably a bit of both.


I did too, the first few years...observation is a good way to learn.
To realize what's what so you can know when something might be off.

Asking questions and reading here will help you understand what you observe.

Yes, I’ve learned to much just by watching them. I’ve raised them from eggs/chicks. I’ve got a girl whose pupil isn’t round, it’s kind of pointy on the bottom. But she’s been like that since birth. She doesn’t seem to be visually impaired. If I hadn’t been so hands on and know she’s always had that, I’d be freakin out!! Ya know? Their behaviors are probably normal, but I have the why’s. Example why do they sun bathe with one leg out? And do they switch sides to make sure the other leg gets an even tan??

 

[z3lda3]

Yes, I’ve learned to much just by watching them. I’ve raised them from eggs/chicks. I’ve got a girl whose pupil isn’t round, it’s kind of pointy on the bottom. But she’s been like that since birth. She doesn’t seem to be visually impaired. If I hadn’t been so hands on and know she’s always had that, I’d be freakin out!! Ya know? Their behaviors are probably normal, but I have the why’s. Example why do they sun bathe with one leg out? And do they switch sides to make sure the other leg gets an even tan??

Also why do they ALL squeeze in the same dirt hole, when there is like a billion other holes to choose from??