Help me understand 13 wk male Americana behavior atm

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

With my roosters this is them showing that they want to fight me. It's not a good behaviour to have and I would aim to curb it as soon as possible as others have said.

How do you curb it?

 

[FarmerGirl101]

How do you curb it?

Some people say to assert dominance by pinning them down like they (the rooster) would do to a hen or even carrying them around. I personally can't give you a suggestion as I have not been able to curb it as I only notice too late when they start attacking me (mine also only do it to me and no one else).

 

[Perris]

Drop wing in front of me and a side stepping little number

Does it look like this?

If so, he's either trying to steer you in a certain direction or he's inviting you to mate. In any case it's not aggression. He's young, learning, hormones all akimbo.

what does an appropriate human reaction look like?

I would just ignore him.

Hes young and has crazy energy and chases the 4 girls all around and mounts them. I usually break it up and pen him when he does this. Is this wrong?

He'll come to realise that you are not one of his hens, and that you are not a threat, if you leave him be. Forcefully separating him from the objects of his desire is not going to endear him to you, but if you have no adult hens to teach him some manners, it may be better to separate him until the teenage jerk phase has passed. Be consistent, whatever you choose to do.

I dont wanna mess this guy up, ya know?

In my experience (keeper of currently 7 adult roos and some cockerels) the less you interfere in their lives, the better you will all get on. You are not a chicken; don't behave like one. You, like me and every other human, are on the sidelines of their lives - present occasionally, largely uncomprehending of chicken manners, language, social structure and dynamics. Let them live as they will, and support them with food and shelter as best you can.

There is excellent advice for you going forward in Shadrach's article on understanding your rooster, here https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/understanding-your-rooster.75056/

 

[Camo chicken146]

Drop wing in front of me and a side stepping little number

yes that is a courting behavior and doesn't mean aggression I'd say just keep an eye on him for any real aggressive behavior, for some reason a lot of people say if he does It to you that's not good, but for me personally i wouldn't mind it unless he shows real aggressive behavior. courting is not aggressive.

 

[Camo chicken146]

If so, he's either trying to steer you in a certain direction or he's inviting you to mate. In any case it's not aggression. He's young, learning, hormones all akimbo.

this

 

[Mrs. K]

IMO unless you are teasing him, egging him on his behavior is not your fault. And once they start showing behaviors it is too late.

You are there and are feeling uncomfortable with him, (or you would have not written) you don’t like the violence with the pullets.

In your set up, with your birds this isn’t working. He is stealing the pleasure of watching the birds. And no one stays at the coop 24/7, he is acting that way when you are gone.

If you are happier with him out of there, do get rid of him. Few of us can build coops and pens so to keep certain $5 birds separate. Chickens really are not forever friends. Instead they require human intervention to keep peace in the flock.

And that intervention is on going. Keep the best flock, a flock were the birds in it have a good life. Birds in the flock change over time. It is silly to feel guilty for removing a problem bird. You will enjoy your flock much better.

 

[Ecarroll]

Drop wing in front of me and a side stepping little number

This is not aggressive, it’s what they do to a hen to ask “permission”, if they are nice they will wait for a squat. He thinks you are a hen, or his mate and he wants to mate you. I would just ignore him unless he does worse, more rooster to rooster aggressive behavior.

 

[Ecarroll]

My cockerel run as fast as they can away from me. Sounds like he's trying to test out dominating you. I don't like friendly forward cockerel. They often end up human aggressive.

A freindly cockerel is not always a bad thing, although a bold cockerel can be. I have a friendly rooster, by that I mean he lets me pick him up, and he is a great guy with people and the hens. All the aggressive cockerels I have raised (2 or 3, just realized I have no confirmation on the one I gave away early, but I assume he was), have actually been quite skittish, as you described for good Roos. I think it depends on the bird, genetics, and the way he is raised.

 

[MysteryChicken]

My cockerel run as fast as they can away from me. Sounds like he's trying to test out dominating you. I don't like friendly forward cockerel. They often end up human aggressive.

Friendly forward is different from one actually being aggressive. If they actually come up on you with a fast charge, with a hackle flare, or without, pecks your shoe/leg, or even shoulders at you those are typical signs he's not a good one to keep around.

 

[MysteryChicken]

A freindly cockerel is not always a bad thing, although a bold cockerel can be. I have a friendly rooster, by that I mean he lets me pick him up, and he is a great guy with people and the hens. All the aggressive cockerels I have raised (2 or 3, just realized I have no confirmation on the one I gave away early, but I assume he was), have actually been quite skittish, as you described for good Roos. I think it depends on the bird, genetics, and the way he is raised.

I got a rooster who I can just walk over to, & pick up as well. Actually a few.