What does it mean when the rooster "dances"?

[Tenneesse]

Both of my roosters will dance somewhat of a jig when near a hen or when he is showing an interest. Easy to understand.

What I don't understand is why does he do it when he approaches me. He will come up to my feet lower his head sort of spread his wings and dance the same jig. He will do it to my wife to. He seems to do it when he is nervous or or anxious is it a sign of anything in particular possibly aggression. Neither have ever tried to flog or spur but will peck my hand if I let him, not hard, just sort of a don't touch me please.

When I do pick him up he never seems hateful and doesn't struggle. Im just not sure what the two are try to say with the dance or jig they do. They are Columbian Cochins.

 

[azygous]

Don't be so sure it's always a sign of aggression.

Usually roos who are doing the sideways dance as a sign of aggression, will often come erect, open their wings and fly at you, known as "flogging".

I have a Buff Brahma roo Penrod, who does the side-ways dance whenever I bring him a treat. He then picks the first bite or two and offers it to me while honking his encouragement before eating any himself, behavior of a roo with a favorite hen.

The behaviors are very similar. If you spend time with your roo, you will soon learn what his true intentions are. To automatically assume this dance is aggressive is doing the roo a serious injustice, especially if you haul off and drop-kick him when he's just trying to let you know he's fond of you.

 

[Gmasidekick89]

If the rooster fluffed out his neck feathers at you, he is contemplating making a challenge and that usually follows. To throw down a wing and side step you is his show of affection and acknowledgement that you are his. You are in no harm. Watch the hens behavior toward a rooster behaviors and you will know.

 

[Lollipop]

Both of my roosters will dance somewhat of a jig when near a hen or when he is showing an interest. Easy to understand.

What I don't understand is why does he do it when he approaches me. He will come up to my feet lower his head sort of spread his wings and dance the same jig. He will do it to my wife to. He seems to do it when he is nervous or or anxious is it a sign of anything in particular possibly aggression. Neither have ever tried to flog or spur but will peck my hand if I let him, not hard, just sort of a don't touch me please.

When I do pick him up he never seems hateful and doesn't struggle. Im just not sure what the two are try to say with the dance or jig they do. They are Columbian Cochins.

Old timers call that " cutting a wing". It's a dominance display. Not a nice thing. Could be the start of aggression. You should put the fear of god (you) in them right away, same with your wife. Good luck........Pop

 

[bunyberries]

I just came on the site to figure out why my rooster does this to me when I walk in the yard he picks at my feet And then does that sideways dance I felt like it was aggression so I picked him up and held him. I put my hand over his head and stroking gently with my finger I could feel him relaxing in my arm. Maybe it's affection maybe it's aggression he does it every time so I pick him up every time.

 

[EggheadWI]

I just came on the site to figure out why my rooster does this to me when I walk in the yard he picks at my feet And then does that sideways dance I felt like it was aggression so I picked him up and held him. I put my hand over his head and stroking gently with my finger I could feel him relaxing in my arm. Maybe it's affection maybe it's aggression he does it every time so I pick him up every time.

From what I've read you did exactly the right thing. Supposedly picking them up and holding them says, "I am top roo here -- so powerful I can carry you around and you don't even know what to do".

 

[tdgill]

Mommy 2 wee ones...then dispose of him humanely...please.

edited twice. still humanely looks wrong. but it is the right thing to do.

edited to add again
Maybe your roosters and or chickens don't trust you.

 

[analogue]

OK, so what if he is showing aggression? So what? it's not as if he's 200 lbs and could kill me. I don't worry about it- if he is aggressive, as long as he can't harm me, I won't give it a thought. There are some very, very expensive bulls- as in bovines, not chickies- that are aggressive. If every farmer culled each one that showed some beefiness, we'd have a lot of weakly, ill-bred cattle in this country. It isn't important to me who's "boss", or what the chicken thinks. I am bigger, I could kill it in an instant if I needed or wanted to, that is all that matters.

 

[Mika1940]

Don't be so sure it's always a sign of aggression.

Usually roos who are doing the sideways dance as a sign of aggression, will often come erect, open their wings and fly at you, known as "flogging".

I have a Buff Brahma roo Penrod, who does the side-ways dance whenever I bring him a treat. He then picks the first bite or two and offers it to me while honking his encouragement before eating any himself, behavior of a roo with a favorite hen.

The behaviors are very similar. If you spend time with your roo, you will soon learn what his true intentions are. To automatically assume this dance is aggressive is doing the roo a serious injustice, especially if you haul off and drop-kick him when he's just trying to let you know he's fond of you.

This true. This comment has been hear since 2012. As a new chicken mom (2020's) This true. If you're smart enough to understand your roosters behavior, you'll see the difference between aggression/dominance and excitement. Well. Actually if you're observing/learning and understanding roosters behaviour the no. 1 meaning of whatever you called it but for me It's dancing is excitement/fondness cuz you're around. They acknowledge you as one of they're favourite. I got 1 rooster raised from chick. I've witnessed all of his development from sweet chic to being cocky stage (attitude changing season where he literally going to peck my hand and won't let go until I lightly pinch his beak) and then now he's a 3 year old clingy rooster who always want my attention and cuddles. I've seen his moves and knew if he's happy or planning to attack. I never hurt him just to show that he should respect me. He respects me because I know all of his moves. He mostly attack if he doesn't like my clothes or footwear. Usually if rooster is planning to attack you their footsteps is a lot heavier and they look bigger (idk what's the right term but I'm talking when they look like a pompom because their feathers were all "standing? ") and most of the time they are quite. If happy, they dance and being so talkative. There's so many ways to tell if their being cocky when you're around. Not just the gesture. Sometimes the sounf they made will tell you if they are upset or happy. Then I got another roostwr, he looks like 1yr old or maybe just months old. Idk how he would react to me so I studied him whole day om his 1st day. He's lil bit shy (not afraid but he looks like he doesn't trust me. Idk how they caught but it looks like they made a rough strategy to catch him) 2nd day while giving him treats I tried to pick him up. He literally doing his best to avoid my hands. Next day he's still doing the same thing. When there are people around, he will go to the other side of his cage (it's spacious don't worry) but I still do my daily pick him up routine to introduce myself. 2nd week, he started to show excitement whenever he saw me coming. That was 4months ago. Now, he just won't stop dancing when I'm near him. He's so funny and loves to overreact about everything. So.. Yeah I hope people don't just listen for other lazy chicken owner's advice (lazy for understanding deeper the rooster behavior and look only or assume only that roosters will always mean) try to look for comments like this because considering what to believe. PROBLEMS NEED TO BE SOLVED not GETING RID OF IT!

 

[Tenneesse]

Ill do just that thanks Pop. I sort of thought that might be whats going on so I'll take care of it.