Is Rooster Dance Always Aggressive?

[OzarkChooks]

We recently had to cull one of our young roosters due to human aggression. We have another rooster left, Bruno. Bruno was always pretty mild mannered, he doesn't brutalize the hens, he takes treats from my hand and gives them to the ladies and he has never done anything aggressive to any of us.

This morning I was giving some fresh corn to the hens and I started going to the garden. Bruno followed me for a little bit, which is not unusual because he always thinks I have treats. I turned to look at him and I swear it looked like he dropped his wing ever so slightly. Like a very very subdued version of the rooster dance without the shimmy or feet stomping.

Am I being paranoid because of what happened with the other rooster VERY recently? If he did do the dance, is the dance always considered aggressive? Am I going to have a problem?

 

[MROO]

We recently had to cull one of our young roosters due to human aggression. We have another rooster left, Bruno. Bruno was always pretty mild mannered, he doesn't brutalize the hens, he takes treats from my hand and gives them to the ladies and he has never done anything aggressive to any of us.

This morning I was giving some fresh corn to the hens and I started going to the garden. Bruno followed me for a little bit, which is not unusual because he always thinks I have treats. I turned to look at him and I swear it looked like he dropped his wing ever so slightly. Like a very very subdued version of the rooster dance without the shimmy or feet stomping.

Am I being paranoid because of what happened with the other rooster VERY recently? If he did do the dance, is the dance always considered aggressive? Am I going to have a problem?

That sideways, dropped wing, head turned dance is a courting move ... It sounds like Bruno is flirting with you!

 

[OzarkChooks]

I guess I am worried because I have read conflicting information about the dance. Hopefully he remains a gentleman.

 

[aart]

Am I being paranoid because of what happened with the other rooster VERY recently? If he did do the dance, is the dance always considered aggressive? Am I going to have a problem?

Probably, yes.

Dropping a wing is definitely a prelude to a dominance move,
whether it be to mate a girl bird or attack a human.

Stay cool, calm, and collected.
If you become afraid they can sense that and it makes them nervous and more likely to cause problems. Use a calm soothing voice when around the birds, it can really help.

 

[OzarkChooks]

Probably, yes.

Dropping a wing is definitely a prelude to a dominance move,
whether it be to mate a girl bird or attack a human.

Stay cool, calm, and collected.
If you become afraid they can sense that and it makes them nervous and more likely to cause problems. Use a calm soothing voice when around the birds, it can really help.

I'm not nervous around him, he actually is my favorite. I was always afraid of spoiling him so i try to be a bit hands off, but sometimes I do pet him. If I am sitting somewhere outside, he will come and jump onto my lap, like he is roosting on my leg. Should I change how I interact with him?

 

[aart]

I'm not nervous around him, he actually is my favorite. I was always afraid of spoiling him so i try to be a bit hands off, but sometimes I do pet him. If I am sitting somewhere outside, he will come and jump onto my lap, like he is roosting on my leg. Should I change how I interact with him?

I don't let any bird jump onto my body, nor do I 'pet' them, especially the males.
Hands of is best, IMO, hand feeding is OK.
I also spend lots of time walking thru their territory(without treats), run and coop, slowly and calmly, making any bird get out of my way by 'walking thru them'....softly saying "get back out of my way".

 

[3KillerBs]

I also spend lots of time walking thru their territory(without treats), run and coop, slowly and calmly, making any bird get out of my way by 'walking thru them'....softly saying "get back out of my way".

I'm working on this with my growing cockerel.

My line with the hens around my ankles has always been, "Pardon me. Excuse me. Pardon me. Excuse me." Like trying to get through to my seat in a crowded theater.

 

[aart]

I'm working on this with my growing cockerel.

My line with the hens around my ankles has always been, "Pardon me. Excuse me. Pardon me. Excuse me." Like trying to get through to my seat in a crowded theater.

The words don't really matter, as long as they are consistent.
If they don't move I use a harsher voice until they are clued into the words.
Not hand feeding makes this MUCH easier.

 

[MysteryChicken]

The dance has a few different meanings.

It's a Greeting like Hello.

It's, hey pretty lady. (Mating Dance)

Show of dominance.

Never had one dance at me to show dominance, even my butthead roosters. Especially Demon. He just charges, & kicks me up my legs. No warning.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Shouldering, & groaning is a sign I see that is a pure threat. I see hens do this, haven't seen a rooster do it yet.