Rooster Behavior

[Smileybans]

My rooster is about 14 weeks old and just started doing this weird dance when I let him out of his coop in the morning. He kind of puffs up his shoulder feathers, to make himself look bigger(?), and stomps his feet. He knows me and I talk to him to let him know it’s me before I open the door but he still does it. He shares a coop with two girls, 4 weeks younger than him, and a run with six olive eggers. The olive eggers are in a different coop and I let them out after him. I thought maybe he was doing it because there’s potential males in the olive eggers, who are 8 weeks old. But they’re out after him. They don’t see the dance. Is it for the ladies? Here is a picture of him. I can try to get a video of him dancing but it’s pretty brief.

 

[sourland]

Testosterone is rising, and he is starting to feel his oats. Discourage this behavior as it can escalate.

 

[MadamPoofyBrow]

He will do it to impress the hens, but it's not good if it's directed at you. Let him know now it's not okay so it hopefully won't become a problem later.

 

[Smileybans]

Testosterone is rising, and he is starting to feel his oats. Discourage this behavior as it can escalate.

How do I discourage it? What is he trying to do? I know he’s plucked out feathers from the backs of the girls necks, the ones he coops with, but I read it was normal behavior. Not bad plucking to the point where they’re bald. Should I discourage that as well?

 

[Smileybans]

He will do it to impress the hens, but it's not good if it's directed at you. Let him know now it's not okay so it hopefully won't become a problem later.

I feel so confused. What is it? Is he trying to impress me? Will he become more aggressive if I don’t stop it?

 

[SueT]

I'd say he's trying to assert dominance and he may become aggressive if you don't stop it. Step toward him and make him move out of your space. Every time.
Welcome to BYC, keep us updated!

 

[Smileybans]

I'd say he's trying to assert dominance and he may become aggressive if you don't stop it. Step toward him and make him move out of your space. Every time.
Welcome to BYC, keep us updated!

Alright. I’ll try that over the next week and see how it goes. I have noticed he stopped talking to me before I opened the coop. He used to talk back when I called his name. Now he doesn’t talk and just dances when I let him out. Now that I think about it they’re probably related. This is all very new to me.

 

[bobbi-j]

I agree with Sourland andSueT. He’s not trying to impress you - he’s trying to show dominance. When you are out with your chickens, move decisively and with confidence. If he’s in your way, walk where you want and make him move. If he starts sneaking up behind you, turn around and back him up. Just keep moving him away from you until he respects your space.

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

I agree with Sourland andSueT. He’s not trying to impress you - he’s trying to show dominance. When you are out with your chickens, move decisively and with confidence. If he’s in your way, walk where you want and make him move. If he starts sneaking up behind you, turn around and back him up. Just keep moving him away from you until he respects your space.

X2.

He needs to know that you're the boss and respect your space. There are a couple great articles on here about doing that, you could find them pretty easily.

 

[PioneerChicks]

Agreeing with what the previous have said. Try to choose a method here: Methods for Dealing with Roosters