Why does my rooster follow me?

[Browniethechicken]

I have a 5 month Brahma rooster who is generally easy going. He seems very responsive to me. He follows me when I let everyone out to free range and seems to listen to my calls. He is the first one to come when called to do something and seems to be a good listener because he will go back into the run/coop when I ask while some of the hens ignore me. Is this normal? Is he just keeping an eye on me because he views me as a threat? He just seems to be interested in following me around and always at my heel.

 

[Purelychicks]

He probably follows u because he thinks u have food. To text this theory give him treats and see if he leaves after. I have a hen that follows me around till I give her mealworms, then she leaves.

 

[Browniethechicken]

He probably follows u because he thinks u have food. To text this theory give him treats and see if he leaves after. I have a hen that follows me around till I give her mealworms, then she leaves.

I do bring good treats. But he also does a little side dance around me and I’m wondering if he is displaying dominance. I pick him up a lot to let him know I’m boss. I Adore this bird

 

[Folly's place]

He shouldn't be dancing for you! Picking him up doesn't mean anything to him, and don't let any bird near your face (eyeballs!).
He should respect your space, and you should be walking 'through' him, never around. He's not a puppy or kitten, his little brain doesn't work that way. I want my cockerels to pay attention to the other chickens, and learn to be aware of what's going on around the flock. I am not a flock member!
Treats are nice, and it's good to have the birds come when you call them (for treats), but I'd be wary of a cockerel who's following me around.
Mary

 

[Browniethechicken]

He shouldn't be dancing for you! Picking him up doesn't mean anything to him, and don't let any bird near your face (eyeballs!).
He should respect your space, and you should be walking 'through' him, never around. He's not a puppy or kitten, his little brain doesn't work that way. I want my cockerels to pay attention to the other chickens, and learn to be aware of what's going on around the flock. I am not a flock member!
Treats are nice, and it's good to have the birds come when you call them (for treats), but I'd be wary of a cockerel who's following me around.
Mary

I will start walking through him more. I definitely don’t let him dominate me but I may be doing things unknowingly that could be working against me. You’re right to remind me they aren’t kittens…. I admit, Part of me likes and enjoy them in that way. Perhaps, that’s wrong or unrealistic. Thanks Mary. Why are you wary of the following around? Do you have any advice on how I should manage that and the dancing shuffling feet?

 

[chookcomplex]

I will start walking through him more. I definitely don’t let him dominate me but I may be doing things unknowingly that could be working against me. You’re right to remind me they aren’t kittens…. I admit, Part of me likes and enjoy them in that way. Perhaps, that’s wrong or unrealistic. Thanks Mary. Why are you wary of the following around? Do you have any advice on how I should manage that and the dancing shuffling feet?

I got the opposite advice: When they hit puberty, they have raging hormones and things just set them off so you might just have to persistently correct their behavious until they mellow out with age. It's better to only respond them holding them down in submission if they peck you for doing normal necessary chores. Avoid behaviour that challenges the rooster like looking them in the eye or walking towards them to "reward" non-aggressive behaviour like the rooster simply walking around the coop.

You can hope to train it out of them, but I mean, I'm skeptical like in human rearing if negative reinforcement is effective as a training method.

This is without mentioning that the surefire way for a flock of non-aggressive roosters are a flock where all the non-aggressive roosters are the only ones alive.

 

[Browniethechicken]

I got the opposite advice: When they hit puberty, they have raging hormones and things just set them off so you might just have to persistently correct their behavious until they mellow out with age. It's better to only respond them holding them down in submission if they peck you for doing normal necessary chores. Avoid behaviour that challenges the rooster like looking them in the eye or walking towards them to "reward" non-aggressive behaviour like the rooster simply walking around the coop.

You can hope to train it out of them, but I mean, I'm skeptical like in human rearing if negative reinforcement is effective as a training method.

This is without mentioning that the surefire way for a flock of non-aggressive roosters are a flock where all the non-aggressive roosters are the only ones alive.

Good advice! Thank you! I went on a deep dive into YouTube videos on roosters and they all say I have to show him I’m the boss.

 

[Chicken poppy]

I do bring good treats. But he also does a little side dance around me and I’m wondering if he is displaying dominance. I pick him up a lot to let him know I’m boss. I Adore this bird

Yep, thats dominance. Stop it before its to late.

 

[Chicken poppy]

I got the opposite advice: When they hit puberty, they have raging hormones and things just set them off so you might just have to persistently correct their behavious until they mellow out with age. It's better to only respond them holding them down in submission if they peck you for doing normal necessary chores. Avoid behaviour that challenges the rooster like looking them in the eye or walking towards them to "reward" non-aggressive behaviour like the rooster simply walking around the coop.

You can hope to train it out of them, but I mean, I'm skeptical like in human rearing if negative reinforcement is effective as a training method.

This is without mentioning that the surefire way for a flock of non-aggressive roosters are a flock where all the non-aggressive roosters are the only ones alive.

I did this for my rooster and he turned into a little angel afterwards so just holding his head down and giving a little tap with my finger for a peck, or pushing him back showing im in charge worked great. Now he loves to snuggle and sleeps in my shirt.

 

[Browniethechicken]

Yep, thats dominance. Stop it before its to late.

Thank you for commenting! What is your advice on how to stop it?