Great question, us newbies should understand

For me the first sign is when a rooster walks toward you with his feathers loose, his head low and his tail sideways. Next is the wing dance where he walks sideways with one wing dragging the ground and goes in a circle. Crowing alot when around you is also a dominate thing they do. They have this low voice they do too that you'll know when you hear it. I would not act on any of this until the rooster comes running toward me though, or if he raises his hackle feathers at me and tries to bite me. If he runs at you, don't run the other way. It is very important not to run from him.

 

The Rooster Circle Dance of Love is really cute, especially when done in your honor. BUT it isn't something you should encourage, because it means he's trying to dominate you as if you were one of his hens. I get up and walk away.

Also, if a rooster brings you a pretty feather, or a small rock, or a bit of grass and makes cooing sounds, he's doing the same thing. I do not "accept" those gifts. (Although I do think it's adorable.)

Never run AT your rooster, either. If he fluffs up his neck feathers or makes a sudden move in your direction, turn toward him and start walking right at him, as if you are going to walk through him (as if he's not there). If he backs up, but still faces you, keep walking. If, facing you, he turns slightly, turn in that direction and continue to walk toward him. I've backed my most insistent Sebright roo as much as thirty feet until he turns away from me and steps away.

The turning away, facing a new direction and walking that way, is the clue that he has given in to you. There is no need to continue to follow him at that point. You've won.

Now and again, if my dominent rooster pecks at my leg while he's standing behind me or to the side of me, I turn around and press him to the ground. Then I pick him up and carry him around for about 10 minutes. When I put him down, he decides he has somewhere else to be. And he doesn't peck at me again for at least a month.

 

I walk at all my roosters as soon as I can tell they're roosters. I just make them step out of my way - if necessary, waggling something in their faces until they learn to back up. The idea is to train them to stay 3 feet away from me at all times.

If they Rooster Dance at me, I walk at them immediately. It's kind of a conversation:

"Hi, I'm Top Rooster!"
"No, buddy, I'm Top Rooster."
"Ooops, you sure are! I'll just go this way..."

My main goal is not to wait until the rooster becomes aggressive - never let him even get the idea of attacking me. They move out of my way automatically now.

 

Quote:Just remember you ARE bigger than a rooster!

You start when they are young, to begin with.

But if an adult rooster charges at you, keep walking at it and prepare tp boot it away. Think, and feel, "I am the Boss here, not some silly feathered cacciatore candidate."

Like any animal, they sense hesitation and fear and will capitalize upon it.

 

silly feathered cacciatore candidate

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