Help me understand 13 wk male Americana behavior atm

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

My 13 week old male Americana has a specific behavior that just started today. He will kinda run along side of me, and then do a behavior I gather is wanting to fight; getting in front of me and sideways; a little 'I wanna get you' stance. He pecked my foot when I let him out to freerange today. That was a first. It's probably all very normal behavior, but, what does an appropriate human reaction look like? I would love him to be within the flock, but atm, I keep him in his own 'pen' within his flocks coop to keep him and them safe! We all free range together. Thanks for advice.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

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.

 

[Mrs. K]

I would not like this behavior either. I too, am a hands off cockerel keeper, and the ones I keep, maintain a 4-5 foot bubble away from me.

You will get a lot of different advice, mine is discouraging him from approaching you. And beware of his behavior - especially if you have young children. A full on flogging can be pretty violent.

Mrs K

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

I would not like this behavior either. I too, am a hands off cockerel keeper, and the ones I keep, maintain a 4-5 foot bubble away from me.

You will get a lot of different advice, mine is discouraging him from approaching you. And beware of his behavior - especially if you have young children. A full on flogging can be pretty violent.

Mrs K

I thank you so much Mrs K. What should I do when he behaves this way? shoo him away? Also, 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? Thank you. Is it realistic to keep him see but no touch with plenty of free range? Ugh, I dont wanna mess this guy up, ya know? Thank you! Any advice helps, the learning curve is real!

 

[alwaystj9]

That's not good behavior. I make mine keep a distance, usually by advancing toward them making noise and stomping my feet. As long as they stay away from me and make no threatening moves, I leave them alone. Watch your back or don't turn your back - they can be sneaky. If he's over-mounting, chasing and annoying your hens, I'd pen him away also. I am in South Louisiana and I can't allow all that because it's already over 90 deg and all that activity overheats the hens. I also try not to over psycho-analyze my chickens. Safety for me and safety for the hens is always #1. Good luck!

 

[Camo chicken146]

when he's a long side you does he drop his wing like hes trying to court you? or are you sure he's being aggressive like raising hackles ect.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

If your pullets are the same age as this cockerel, I would confine him away from them until they start to lay. They are too young for him to be jumping on them like this. It stresses them.

His behavior toward you is a little too bold. I would confine him for that as well. I think he is less likely to challenge you if there are no girls around for him to contest you over. Where there are pullets, he wants to assert his ownerhip of them. If you try to shoo him away or push him back, he may think it's "game on!" And that can get ugly quickly.

If you are new to chickens, I would advise re-homing him and ask no questions about what happens to hm. After a year or so, look for a seasoned, well-behaved rooster someone could not bear to part with because he was such a gentleman and add him to your flock.

 

[coach723]

I agree. There are so many nice boys out there, it isn't worth putting up with a terror. I can usually tell pretty early on if a boy is a keeper or not. If they start challenging me, they don't stay. The keepers are usually pretty respectful early on, get out of my way. I don't try "retraining" them, I figure they are who they are. And I don't want those genetics. I had a couple of really nasty ones early on that I tried to keep. It was miserable. I was flogged and spurred. Totally not worth it. I have 4 boys now, none of them ever challenge me. If you have children around, it can especially be a problem. The kids are smaller, move different, and can attract different attention from males that think they are a threat. And they are smaller and closer to the ground, so can be hurt worse. A spur in the face could be devastating.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

when he's a long side you does he drop his wing like hes trying to court you? or are you sure he's being aggressive like raising hackles ect.

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

 

[FarmerGirl101]

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

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.