Signs a cockerel or rooster's behavior is changing?

[SeaSea47]

I have a 6-month-old Cochin cockerel/rooster who has always been super laid back and friendly. He lets us pet him and I recently got him to start eating sunflower seeds out of my hand. He totally ignores us when he's out free-ranging unless I have treats. Over the last month or so, he and my other rooster (who is also very human friendly) went through some issues with fighting, but that has stopped. They still keep an eye on each other, have a few crow-offs, and knock each other off certain hens when mating, but I haven't seen any fighting since November.

But over the last week or two, I'm seeing some slight changes in my sweet Cochin. I don't mess with him much, but my dad likes to pet him, and he now pecks or bites at him when he does. I actually told him to stop petting him just in case. I've also noticed him staring at me more, and he's crowing more when I come around. He doesn't chase us or anything but keeps an eye out. Is this a bad sign or am I being overly paranoid? I've never had males in my flock before, so I'm just curious as to what to look for?

 

[demonic]

I have a 6-month-old Cochin cockerel/rooster who has always been super laid back and friendly. He lets us pet him and I recently got him to start eating sunflower seeds out of my hand. He totally ignores us when he's out free-ranging unless I have treats. Over the last month or so, he and my other rooster (who is also very human friendly) went through some issues with fighting, but that has stopped. They still keep an eye on each other, have a few crow-offs, and knock each other off certain hens when mating, but I haven't seen any fighting since November.

But over the last week or two, I'm seeing some slight changes in my sweet Cochin. I don't mess with him much, but my dad likes to pet him, and he now pecks or bites at him when he does. I actually told him to stop petting him just in case. I've also noticed him staring at me more, and he's crowing more when I come around. He doesn't chase us or anything but keeps an eye out. Is this a bad sign or am I being overly paranoid? I've never had males in my flock before, so I'm just curious as to what to look for?

I haven’t had that many roosters but I feel like it’s pretty normal. Some roosters stay nice and friendly and some attack and others just want you to back off. He is 6 months old and is probably feeling more protective over his hens and is anxious. I’ve had roosters like that.

 

[sourland]

Staring at, tilting towards you, pecking at the ground, shuffling feet, flaring hackles, wing dancing can all be signs of changing attitude/maturing. Just keep an eye on him and stop aggressive behavior as soon as it occurs.

 

[SeaSea47]

Staring at, tilting towards you, pecking at the ground, shuffling feet, flaring hackles, wing dancing can all be signs of changing attitude/maturing. Just keep an eye on him and stop aggressive behavior as soon as it occurs.

He is staring and tilting his head, but that's pretty much it. What exactly what you do to stop the aggressive behavior?

 

[demonic]

He is staring and tilting his head, but that's pretty much it. What exactly what you do to stop the aggressive behavior?

Show them their place. If you go near him and he shows clear aggressive behavior, squat him and kind of push him lower to the ground with your hand. It shows that you are higher than him and have control over him.

 

[SeaSea47]

Show them their place. If you go near him and he shows clear aggressive behavior, squat him and kind of push him lower to the ground with your hand. It shows that you are higher than him and have control over him.

He actually went up and bumped his chest against my dad's leg the other day (though my dad tries to "pet him" and I told him to quit harassing him). I made my dad stand there and stare him down until he stopped. Thanks for the tip! If there is a next time, we will try that.

 

[ElizaMay]

Yep, chest bumping is something any chicken does when it feels it is superior the the other creature. Do not tolerate it, move aggressively towards the bird, raise your arms and flap your clothes and make loud noise, and pursue it around the yard until it is definitely running away and maybe even squawking. Then stop and let it run. When you are ready to move off/leave, be sure to watch the bird because if it makes a move towards you, begin the process again. Repeat till it stops. The bird should have zero delusions that it can insult you be behaving in any way aggressively. Another higher-ranking bird would actually chase, peck, and pull feathers if it was challenged.

 

[SeaSea47]

Yep, chest bumping is something any chicken does when it feels it is superior the the other creature. Do not tolerate it, move aggressively towards the bird, raise your arms and flap your clothes and make loud noise, and pursue it around the yard until it is definitely running away and maybe even squawking. Then stop and let it run. When you are ready to move off/leave, be sure to watch the bird because if it makes a move towards you, begin the process again. Repeat till it stops. The bird should have zero delusions that it can insult you be behaving in any way aggressively. Another higher-ranking bird would actually chase, peck, and pull feathers if it was challenged.

Thanks for the tip! We haven't had any issues since that day, but we will try that if he does it again.