Rooster behavior

[RedLionChooks]

Hello to all of you chicken keepers ~ The past two days, I have observed our 1 year, 2 month-old rooster go up into the henhouse around 11am, after all but one egg has been laid (last hen in the nest box), have a good look around, scratch the bedding, cooing and calling his hens. He beds down in the same corner, and seems to be desperately trying to call the hens to him. Only one of 10 hens seem to notice - the one who notices and comes is the most protective of the hens when she is laying (growling, sounding like a cat). I rarely see him in the henhouse until roost time. Is he encouraging them to sit on eggs? He is a VERY attentive and protective rooster. I swear he is depressed that there are no chicks. Anyone seen this behavior?

 

[The Happster]

@Shadrach might know.

 

[Shadrach]

Hello to all of you chicken keepers ~ The past two days, I have observed our 1 year, 2 month-old rooster go up into the henhouse around 11am, after all but one egg has been laid (last hen in the nest box), have a good look around, scratch the bedding, cooing and calling his hens. He beds down in the same corner, and seems to be desperately trying to call the hens to him. Only one of 10 hens seem to notice - the one who notices and comes is the most protective of the hens when she is laying (growling, sounding like a cat). I rarely see him in the henhouse until roost time. Is he encouraging them to sit on eggs? He is a VERY attentive and protective rooster. I swear he is depressed that there are no chicks. Anyone seen this behavior?

Yup, he's trying to tell them to make a nest where he is.
I free range and roosters and hens choose the nest sites together. There are reasons for this partly explained in this article.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-not-about-the-egg-it’s-an-escort-call.74386/

 

[RedLionChooks]

Yup, he's trying to tell them to make a nest where he is.
I free range and roosters and hens choose the nest sites together. There are reasons for this partly explained in this article.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-egg-song-it’s-not-about-the-egg-it’s-an-escort-call.74386/

Thanks so much Shadrach - really interesting. I enjoy watching and learning from these birds! What I really found fascinating was how determined and passionate the rooster seemed to be when he was calling. Thanks again for your reply : )

 

[centrarchid]

My roosters do it under very specific conditions where hen produces a sound that can only be heard at very close range by humans. The rooster gets message hen producing sound is looking for a nest site. The rooster then tries to impress a hen with options he has in his territory. I can have such a hen walk past a series of roosters give the same call that otherwise that cannot see her because of a board blocking line of sight.

 

[The Happster]

Oh my goodness! That's the cutest thing I've seen all day.

 

[RedLionChooks]

My roosters do it under very specific conditions where hen produces a sound that can only be heard at very close range by humans. The rooster gets message hen producing sound is looking for a nest site. The rooster then tries to impress a hen with options he has in his territory. I can have such a hen walk past a series of roosters give the same call that otherwise that cannot see her because of a board blocking line of sight.

Thanks, Centrarchid! Enjoy learning about chicken behavior. This is a little more elaborate than the show our rooster (Sampson) put on. Learning something new everyday. I am still working on learning to coexist with a protective rooster. A work of patience and observation.

 

[centrarchid]

Thanks, Centrarchid! Enjoy learning about chicken behavior. This is a little more elaborate than the show our rooster (Sampson) put on. Learning something new everyday. I am still working on learning to coexist with a protective rooster. A work of patience and observation.

You rooster is likely doing the complex things too, just not in conditions where you can see them all. It takes time to actually recognize what the birds are doing. Most people are not looking closely as occupied with other things.

 

[RedLionChooks]

Indeed. Don't you think their individual and flock behaviors are far more sophisticated than folks give them credit for? I love learning from them. Especially the rooster. He is quite doting on the hens, and very protective. I have to pay CLOSE attention to be sure I am able to read all of his language and act accordingly, lest I am surprised from behind. We are new to keeping chickens - just over a year - and we did not order the rooster. He was a surprise. I enjoy having him, but the balance is tight. I'm so new and learning. I won't give up though. He is a great guardian.