Naughty Rooster - not mean nor agressive!

[evitachu]

Hello all! I have a beautiful Polish rooster. I always know that he is a "bad" boy with a good heart. He is like Danny (John Travolta) in Grease

He is not agressive, never has shown any aggressions, never attacked anyone (got attacked by the hen yes!), yet gentle. He is a lap roo who will fall asleep so quickly and snore.
I don't freerange my chickens because I work all day and I live in the foothill area. But, I started giving the polish flock some supervised play time in a big dog run. They love it. But Julio, the rooster, these past two days, has been playing tags with me when it's time to go back to the coop. I lured him with mealworms, but once i almost grabbed him, he ran. When I walk away, he pecked my leg like,"hey catch me!" And then as i turned, he ran again. OMG, 15 minutes until I could catch him! Today, same thing. I am wondering if this is just a teenage phase? He is 6 months old today. I am afraid that this continuing chasing ans grabbing will promote aggression.
Any suggestions?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

By chasing and grabbing him you are essentially dominating him, he probably doesn't like it because he's trying to attack you from behind, I would keep chasing him down, you are now in a battle for dominance with him, if you don't maintain your status he will escalate his attacks. It is normal for a rooster his age to do this, especially if they have been handled and petted, though at this point it might be hard to straighten him out. Never give your back to him and insist he moves out of your way.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I agree it may be too late, especially with a rooster that has allowed to become comfortable with you.

I use a different technique than dominance. It is mutual respect.
I never handle my birds except at night. I move slowly around them and never directly toward them. I walk among anywhere from 5-20 roosters on a daily basis and I haven't been attacked by a rooster in over 6 years.

 

[Folly's place]

Julio may be starting that downhill slope to BADNESS. I do hope not, but this doesn't sound good to me. Rethink your behavior with him; no cuddling, no hand fed treats, only direct business- like movements by you through the flock. He needs to move out of your way at all times and not give you the evil eye. You are the queen, not another bird to be intimidated. He may give it up, or turn into an idiot jerk who needs to go. Mary

 

[Weehopper]

With whatever you decide to do, remember that if you come from above him, you are acting like a hawk. Handling at night is a far better idea. He will go into the coop with his girls if left to his own devices.