Rooster dance

[NevadaEmma]

I was wondering if anyone has had their rooster do his dance for them and how they reacted to his advances? I had a rooster that I thought was doing a great job and only got aggressive if it seemed like I was not feeding his ladies enough treats. He did take a dislike to my husband though. So I found a good home for him and two of his favorite ladies (the new owner did not want to start with chicks).

One of the other roosters was my favorite, attacked me the next day. I may have over reacted and accelerated his behavior into an attack. Since then I have been tip toeing around him. He has what appears to me to be charging once in awhile, but never a bull blown attack.

My other rooster, who was raised with the current dominant rooster, is still friendly like the two always were growing up, but lately I noticed that he seems to be doing his rooster dance. I wonder if he will also become more aggressive to me if Rufus, the current dominant, is for some reason not around any more.

As a side note, one of my ganders has also taken a shining to me. He is definitely showing mating behavior towards me, but has never attacked me even though he is vigilant about protecting the female who is laying. He is not the mate to the female.

Any thoughts, any insight on how to deal with the roosters?

 

[Ais]

Definitely don't tip toe around your rooster. I walk through my rooster. As in, I make a point every time I enter the run to walk wherever my roo is, often without even looking at him. I just walk straight at him where he moves out of my way or would be stepped on. So far, he moves out of my way. I give him a little bit of attention occasionally but for the most part I act in a way that says he is of no importance or consequence to me.

 

[Nashv755]

I don't know about when they already get in there head they may be able to challenge you. Anytime one is in my path I may aim about a foot to one side or the other and get to close for comfort as far as they are concerned. Fred my 2yo Phoenix moves maybe 5ft out of the way but if I look down and great him by name he simply lets out a BAWKabakabaka turns his body so i don't step on him and i just step over his tail lol I believe he trust me enough that because I acknowledge him he knows I won't step on him. I won't let any of mine breed if I'm near because that is disrespectful to the head rooster in the chicken world. Fred will lead his girl of the moment behind the car or my shop then here they comes strutting back about 30 seconds later lol

One of Fred's offspring is about 4mo now starting to dance at everyone his size. I'm going to try to train him to be an even friendlier version of Fred. The only time he's tried dancing at me is when I let him fly to my hand for petting. I simply squash him down with my other hand until he sits down. Then I'll let him have his petting and head scratches lol

 

[NevadaEmma]

I think you are correct, usually when it seems he is aggressive is when he is in his morning rounds of trying to mount the hens. I try to stay only as long as it takes to see if all the doors are open and they have their morning treat of scratch and black oil sunflower seeds. If I let him out of the electric fenced in area too early, he may feel threatened by me.

I do keep an eye on him though just in case. If he does look like he is starting a charge, I stand firm, point a finger and him, raise my voice with a big NO. I hope he keeps his distance. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

I don't know about when they already get in there head they may be able to challenge you. Anytime one is in my path I may aim about a foot to one side or the other and get to close for comfort as far as they are concerned. Fred my 2yo Phoenix moves maybe 5ft out of the way but if I look down and great him by name he simply lets out a BAWKabakabaka turns his body so i don't step on him and i just step over his tail lol I believe he trust me enough that because I acknowledge him he knows I won't step on him. I won't let any of mine breed if I'm near because that is disrespectful to the head rooster in the chicken world. Fred will lead his girl of the moment behind the car or my shop then here they comes strutting back about 30 seconds later lol

One of Fred's offspring is about 4mo now starting to dance at everyone his size. I'm going to try to train him to be an even friendlier version of Fred. The only time he's tried dancing at me is when I let him fly to my hand for petting. I simply squash him down with my other hand until he sits down. Then I'll let him have his petting and head scratches lol

I hadn't thought bout not letting them breed while I'm there...interesting - didn't realize it was a sign of disrespect.
Definitely noted!

 

[Nashv755]

I hadn't thought bout not letting them breed while I'm there...interesting - didn't realize it was a sign of disrespect.
Definitely noted!

Yep it's a test to see what he can get away with. If you allow it he will think you're not a good leader. Then he will try to charge and bluff you. When he feels comfortable with that he might try flogging. When one of mine mounts a hen around me I simply punt him a couple of feet with my foot and take a few steps at him so he runs.

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

Yep it's a test to see what he can get away with. If you allow it he will think you're not a good leader. Then he will try to charge and bluff you. When he feels comfortable with that he might try flogging. When one of mine mounts a hen around me I simply punt him a couple of feet with my foot and take a few steps at him so he runs.

My first roo completely turned on me once hormones kicked in...so then with the 2 I have now I'm really trying to work with them. Both are all hatchmates but mmy bigger roo is much more laid back. The smaller roo not so much, and recently attacked my friend when they came to look at my setup.
So I've been much more alert and in tune with them both and not letting them get away with anything and making sure they know who is in charge!

 

[NevadaEmma]

Yes, it is important to keep track of who is doing what. My second rooster who was raised with the first likes to sleep by himself, he has his own little coop. It was not meant to be, but it was clear he did not want to stay with the hens and the other rooster. Bachelor Rooster Cave! He runs after the hens and when he is successful in mounting one, the other rooster runs in and knocks him off the hen! I would not be surprised if the second one will challenge the first one some day.

Learning how to best treat each one individually seems to be the theory at the moment. I am sure it will change down the road.

Side note, I have two goose eggs in my chicken incubator. One is trying to break through today! Hopefully it will.

 

[McChooky]

The young roosters you don't need should be sold,eaten or given away. Keep what you need for your flock and get rid of any you can't break from being human aggressive. Backing up or running or ignoring bad behavior only reinforces more bad behavior. If you don't let your rooster get by with human aggression he''ll learn to respect you and will make a good rooster.The time to teach him to submit is now not after he's attacked you.

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

Yes, it is important to keep track of who is doing what. My second rooster who was raised with the first likes to sleep by himself, he has his own little coop. It was not meant to be, but it was clear he did not want to stay with the hens and the other rooster. Bachelor Rooster Cave! He runs after the hens and when he is successful in mounting one, the other rooster runs in and knocks him off the hen! I would not be surprised if the second one will challenge the first one some day.

Learning how to best treat each one individually seems to be the theory at the moment. I am sure it will change down the road.

Side note, I have two goose eggs in my chicken incubator. One is trying to break through today! Hopefully it will.

I was going to do them a bachelor pad in the run once it warms up and stops these 30°nights.