Rooster Shuffle?

[Chilifur]

My (approx) single 5 month old roo - Monet, a BCM - has acclimated to our household very well and is really taking to his "role" in the flock. This last week, however, he has started throwing his [self-obvious] superiority at my 17 year old son and my 13 year old daughter. Michael says Monet will run and jump at his legs right after Michael turns his back to him. I've advised him on what's happening and how to handle it - but I don't think he believes me.

My daughter knows better. She's been catching him trying to treat her like the hens and she finds it hilarious. What's killing me is what he's doing:
He'll walk towards her (or a hen) and moves about a foot or so to her side. Then he shuffles sideways quickly until he's up close enough that a peck would hurt. It's very quick - but she catches him each time. The moment she faces him, he kind of looks around with this low growly gurgle like, "What? I wasn't doin' nuthin'!"

It's HILARIOUS! The best thing is that my 4 year old is in no danger as she walks right up to him and picks him up, which blows his whole method and he doesn't even resist. Gawd, I love this chicken…

We've had a few accidental roos, but have never seen this behavior before. What do you think?

 

[crtrlovr]

oh, yeah! He's doing his "rooster dance" and trying to convince your (older) daughter that she's one of his flock. He's challenging your son by jumping at his legs. Apparently he's not stupid, as he's not facing your son head-on -- I have a sneaky little bantam cochin roo that does me the same way.

Your son needs to start picking him up and carrying him around for a while to show Monet that he is not the "boss" of the yard over the humans. You may also want to watch him when the 4 yr. old is with him -- even if he isn't exhibiting any threatening behavior toward her right now, it is possible that he could, and if he chose to attack her (even not meaning to seriously injure her), it could still happen. If the little one is out there with him, an adult should be watching over her if she's in proximity to the rooster. BTW, Monet is certainly a handsome little fellow!

 

[Chilifur]

Of course I watch her - I'm more concerned with the damage she'll do to the animals! This girl is fearless - and four. (

"But I wanna PEEEEET the chickens!)

Anyway, it's good to know this is his rooster dance. But… The girls all run the moment he does the shuffle towards them because he pecks them if they don't. Not understanding just how this is supposed to work. He's doing some of the other positive roo behavior, like finding food and showing them, but the pecking? And no, it's not a pre-mating thing because he handles that differently - not elegantly, but he'll learn eventually I suppose.

 

[Emmalion]

One of my boys does that with me too. He has never attacked me but he will try and seduce me you can say. If I ever get pecked its on the top of the boot once and that is usually to get my attention

I just loves when hes scratching in front of me and trying to get me interested in his goodies.