Who can translate "rooster speak"?

[Petra Pancake]

The Bantam rooster who is with my laying flock always makes a funny noise when he sees me. It's a sort of scratchy long drawn "yiiieeeep" sound, a bit like he's choking on something. Totally different from his crowing or the noises the hens make. Is that a warning call? A challenge? His way of saying hello? I should add, he often puts himself between me and the hens but then scuttles away with them. He's never attacked me.

 

[The Angry Hen]

Hello,

It sounds like he is funny!

Sorry, but to help...

Make sure you pet the hens.
(Without him thinking you'll hurt 'em.)

And feed the rooster by hand,
don't make him feel uncomfortable,
like, moving when he's not looking.

I hope I help!
You should check out "Managing your flock."

-The Angry Hen

P.S do you have pics?
What breed is he? Just curious!

 

[TheTwoRoos]

It could be awarning sound.Does he do it when he sees hawks or any bird?

 

[The Angry Hen]

I agree TheTwoRoos!
Even a plane!

 

[TheTwoRoos]

Angry hen gave good advice.

 

[Hybridchucks]

Hello,

It sounds like he is funny!

Sorry, but to help...

Make sure you pet the hens.
(Without him thinking you'll hurt 'em.)

And feed the rooster by hand,
don't make him feel uncomfortable,
like, moving when he's not looking.

I hope I help!
You should check out "Managing your flock."

-The Angry Hen

P.S do you have pics?
What breed is he? Just curious!

x2

 

[The Angry Hen]

Angry hen gave good advice.

Thanks!

You gave good advice too!

 

[azygous]

No, it's not a warning call. I've had a lot of roosters and they all have done this vocalization. As far as I've been able to surmise, it simply means, "I'm top gun and feeling fine with it!"

A warning call can be something as subtle as a quick half-note remark or a five-note phrase. When a rooster utters a warning call, you will notice because all the hens will immediately stop what they're doing, freeze, and stretch their necks up to look around, or they will zip back under cover so fast they all disappear like a puff of smoke. No hen ignores a warning call. Never.

 

[Petra Pancake]

Thanks to all. Thinking about it, it doesn't seem to be a warning. His warnings for flying predators or ground predators sound different. And when he does the yiieeep-thing, the hens don't go into cover. Maybe it's really his way of saying "hello, food-human. I'm in control and everything's fine!"

"Starlight" the yiieepy rooster was sold to me as a Japanese Bantam, but I suspect he might be mixed with something. Fine with me - the hens he's with are mutts anyway. Here are two snapshots from this morning.

 

[centrarchid]

Thanks to all. Thinking about it, it doesn't seem to be a warning. His warnings for flying predators or ground predators sound different. And when he does the yiieeep-thing, the hens don't go into cover. Maybe it's really his way of saying "hello, food-human. I'm in control and everything's fine!" "Starlight" the yiieepy rooster was sold to me as a Japanese Bantam, but I suspect he might be mixed with something. Fine with me - the hens he's with are mutts anyway. Here are two snapshots from this morning.

That is likely very close to reality.