Young roosters challanging me?

[CannedMonster]

Sides are good. So is wing flapping. Standing square is what you don't want to see. At this point I wouldn't give them your back, that's probably what they are waiting for. You should stand square, and up right, and have confident, and they may decide they should behave.

What about circling?
One of my 4.5 month old NN cockerels will circle me.
He starts this behavior by coming near me and acts like he’s picking up grass or something off of the ground.
Then he walks around me keeping his side to me and his head down but he will keep cocking his head and looking up at me sideways.
I watch him closely and he doesn’t drop his wing or shuffle.
I then stamp my foot or move towards him but he only moves away slightly, like a couple of steps.
My instincts tell me he’s sizing me up.

The other one doesn’t do this.
He will come close sometimes but not as much and it’s like he’s not really interested in me just passing by or seeing what I’m doing.
This one dropped a wing and shuffled at me once a few weeks ago.
I chased him far and he’s never done it since.

 

[Joe1962]

What about circling?
One of my 4.5 month old NN cockerels will circle me.
He starts this behavior by coming near me and acts like he’s picking up grass or something off of the ground.
Then he walks around me keeping his side to me and his head down but he will keep cocking his head and looking up at me sideways.
I watch him closely and he doesn’t drop his wing or shuffle.
I then stamp my foot or move towards him but he only moves away slightly, like a couple of steps.
My instincts tell me he’s sizing me up.

The other one doesn’t do this.
He will come close sometimes but not as much and it’s like he’s not really interested in me just passing by or seeing what I’m doing.
This one dropped a wing and shuffled at me once a few weeks ago.
I chased him far and he’s never done it since.

When they get interested they usually walk up within a couple feet and pretend to be pecking at the ground. They do keep looking up and making eye contact. So far they only challenge when I am walking away.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

What about circling?
One of my 4.5 month old NN cockerels will circle me.
He starts this behavior by coming near me and acts like he’s picking up grass or something off of the ground.
Then he walks around me keeping his side to me and his head down but he will keep cocking his head and looking up at me sideways.
I watch him closely and he doesn’t drop his wing or shuffle.
I then stamp my foot or move towards him but he only moves away slightly, like a couple of steps.
My instincts tell me he’s sizing me up.

The other one doesn’t do this.
He will come close sometimes but not as much and it’s like he’s not really interested in me just passing by or seeing what I’m doing.
This one dropped a wing and shuffled at me once a few weeks ago.
I chased him far and he’s never done it since.

That's a good time to drive them off. From my observations a rooster will stay about 10 feet away from a more dominant rooster. If he comes in closer he gets chased off. So if yours is coming in I would be making sure he keeps his distance. Use a tool if possible, but chasing can work in combination with a tool. I personally like a long handled fishing net, because I can also catch them if necessary. Otherwise the squirt gun or a longer stick so you can reach out and peck it.

My mature roosters I can walk right by. They move, but I'm not so concerned with distance. The young boys I like to test along the way to make sure they move off from me. Running is even better.

It's been a few years since I had an aggressive rooster. Since I have taken a hands off approach raising my rooster all have grown up respectful to me no matter the breed.

 

[Ra_]

It's a mind game with roosters. I have never needed to punish one. They just want to know if you are the Alpha because if not, then they've gotta be the Alpha because these hens need protecting.
You have to believe that you are in charge before you can make him believe it.

Sometimes people think that we're anthropomorphizing our animals when we give them credit for exhibiting intelligence. In some ways, I'm stupider than a Monkey.
I've been struggling to open some bananas from the wrong end my entire life.
Any Monkey knows to just pinch the blossom end instead of the stem, to easily open a banana.

 

[Folly's place]

This boy is thinking he might want to take you on. Move him off, and keep him moving! He should be interested in the chickens, and not you.
Mary

 

[MissChick@dee]

I’m sure there are lovely Roo’s out there. Every time this topic comes up (all the time) I sound like a Roo hater. I have not ever been blessed with a sweet Roo. From my experience it only gets worse, bloody and heartbreaking. You’ll receive EXCELLENT advice on this site. I used many suggestions. My bottom line was I only wanted eggs (no babies) and happy Injury free hens. I truly gave it my best shot x3. Good luck to you. (See I didn’t hate this time)

 

[Folly's place]

Nice roosters are a delight to have! Over time, I've changed from the 'retrain' camp, to the 'three strikes and you're out' camp, and now, it's 'no bad thoughts or you're gone'!
Some breeds are more difficult than others, and it makes sense to avoid roosters of those breeds, and find someone with better genetics.
Mary

 

[CannedMonster]

I’m sure there are lovely Roo’s out there. Every time this topic comes up (all the time) I sound like a Roo hater. I have not ever been blessed with a sweet Roo. From my experience it only gets worse, bloody and heartbreaking. You’ll receive EXCELLENT advice on this site. I used many suggestions. My bottom line was I only wanted eggs (no babies) and happy Injury free hens. I truly gave it my best shot x3. Good luck to you. (See I didn’t hate this time)

I totally feel you.
I don’t need roos but am allowed to have them where we live.
So I thought I’d give it a shot.
Unfortunately I gave away the perfect rooster I already had.
Very sweet and polite.
He is a Dark Brahma bantam and when I got my NNs and realized I had cockerels I thought I’d like them better.
I guess I assumed they’d be just as good as he was.
Hindsight is 20/20.

 

[Folly's place]

My crystal ball broke a long time ago too. Hindsight!
Mary

 

[llombardo]

someone said wing flapping and sideways is ok. What is the wing flapping about? I've seen mine do it but it's when I'm in the other side of the fence.