He danced! - Maturing Rooster

[lablover]

My 17 week old rooster danced for one of his top hens today. She of course ran right past him. Having seen him do this, along with grabbing their necks, I've got some questions.

I originally decided to keep him as he was the nicest and calmest rooster. He's only ever pecked me when he was looking for food. Not long ago, he started pecking at my hand when I went to take him off of the chicken tractor roof. (They go up there to roost instead of going inside, so I have to put everyone in manually.) I tapped his head everytime he did it, and now as soon as my hand is above him, he gives a little yell and ducks his head. He has never actually bitten me while doing this. Then one day, I was sitting on the ground with the chickens, and grabbed him to look at something on his back. His feet were on the ground, and he kept trying to reach around and bite me. However, any time I'm standing up, I can't even get close to him. I'm constantly running them out of the front yard, so he's a little scared of me. On another occasion, I was down on his level and went to reach for him, and his feet came off of the ground. Now I know that I really don't have to pick him up or grab him so often, but should i be worried about this behavior. If I have food, he's a little pet and softly takes it from my fingers. He even comes when I call. Is it just hormones?

 

[Mrs. K]

I would not get down to eye level with a rooster, no mater how sweet he is, that is asking for trouble. I don't pet mine or feed him from my hand. He is the Captain of the flock, but I am the head General, and he needs to differential to me. I think what you are doing right is chasing him and his from the front yard. That makes you more dominant.

I think you might have a good rooster, but 17 weeks is very young, you have a good long ways to go. When my roo got to be a year old, then he was protecting the flock, he still leaves backs bare, but he does keep the predators away.

good luck, but don't make a pet of him, that just takes his healthy respect away of you.

MrsK

ps He sure is pretty

 

[galanie]

Agree with above. No eye level with the roo. Sounds like you've been doing a good job with him pretty much though. So far he sounds like you could have a gem there.

 

[Reyort]

I have two BO rooster chicks. The dominant one is all business. He will not hop in my lap, let me pet him, or eat out of my hand. He is already watching over the flock and looks like he will make a fine rooster.

The other one is a pet. He hops in my lap and loves the attention he gets from my wife and I. I guess that saves him from the gumbo pot.