Rooster Flapping His Wings At Me

[MangoSmoothies]

I've been concerned that my rooster, Kiwi, is trying to assert dominance over me, so I wanted to ask this question to see if anyone has any thoughts.

Whenever I approach the barn stall that I keep my chickens in and Kiwi notices me, he stands tall and flaps his wings a few times, repeating it every now and again. He looks at me right in the eyes as he does this (he's pretty much always staring at me). However, the flapping isn't harsh (not hard enough that it makes a sound) and he doesn't otherwise do anything that seems to be asserting dominance over me. In fact, he usually seems intimidated by me, more so than the hens, and tends to run from me even when I just happen to be passing by. Does anyone know what this could mean?

Additional info: I raised him since he was a chick and socialized him as well as I could, but he was always less receptive to attention than the hens; he always seemed more afraid of people than the hens were from the very beginning. Whenever I picked him up as a chick, he'd cry much more loudly and act more panicked than the female chicks did. I figure he's just got a skittish personality, but I don't know if that's normal behavior for a rooster. I figured they'd be braver than the females, if anything.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Does he face you or give you his back or side? That's pretty normal for a rooster to do, especially if they are faced away from you. I've always seen it as a nervous greeting. Faced away means he doesn't see you as a threat. I'd be more concerned if he faces you or comes forward. Respectful roosters hang back.

 

[MangoSmoothies]

Does he face you or give you his back or side? That's pretty normal for a rooster to do, especially if they are faced away from you. I've always seen it as a nervous greeting. Faced away means he doesn't see you as a threat. I'd be more concerned if he faces you or comes forward. Respectful roosters hang back.

He looks at me from the side, not head-on. And it's always from a decent distance, usually before I've opened the stall door. He's never approached me except for food, from what I can recall. Hopefully that means we're on good terms!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

He looks at me from the side, not head-on. And it's always from a decent distance, usually before I've opened the stall door. He's never approached me except for food, from what I can recall. Hopefully that means we're on good terms!

From my experiences he's being respectful.

 

[Altairsky]

Don't worry, he's just being respectful. Mine do it all the time. He shows me his side, flaps his wings at me and then walks away from me.
My dominant hens do the same.

 

[Mrs. K]

Generally, it is not one signal, it is a combination of signals. Always be aware of a rooster. If you have children under the age of six, I would be cautious.

Otherwise, he is not giving you other signals except the stare? Some people call it the stink eye. The thing is, today's behavior is no indicator of next weeks or even tomorrow's behavior.

Be aware of things like sneaking around to behind you - often attacks come from behind. They will be sneaking, and then act all innocent when you see that. Be aware of jumping up on something so he is taller. Be aware of constantly crowing when you come into the set up.

Just be aware.

Mrs K

 

[MangoSmoothies]

Thanks for all the help guys, good to know! Glad he and I have some mutual respect going.