Young Rooster Behavior

[Cowgirl08tiff]

Good Morning!
It’s about 2:54AM here, I have insomnia so I figured I’d ask some questions. Those of you who’ve been following my crazy life, this is week 5 with my Cockerel Serama Moo Moo Cluck. He’s in the process of getting a Pullet friend, for now he’s part of the family/living room. He’s always been a snuggler, loves me. Grumbles when he’s out on his perch and I walk away. He’s got diapers and follows me sometimes. Just part of the crew.
My reason for posting is this...he is Obsessed with my holding him, particularly before we turn in for the night. He wants to lay under my chin, I used to think it was cute. But now he won’t quit pecking me, and my face. So far no mailing behavior that I’ve noticed. That would be embarrassing. No dropped wing or anything. He just constantly wants to literally be in my face. Put him on his perch, he flys back, perch, he flys back. At first I was worried it was a maiting thing, but I think he latches on with his feet to my clothes, finger etc. I finally had to put him in his coop and cover it last night because he just couldn’t chill and not fly and be in my neck/face area. Thoughts, anything other than he needs a friend (working on it), or get rid of him.

 

[azygous]

The age of your cockerel is extremely important if you expect good advice.

Cockerels of a certain age need to be handled right or there could be serious consequences.

 

[Little Chicken Girl]

Disclosure: I am not a chicken behavioral specialist and likely not as experienced as many chicken enthusiasts here. Be critical of my advice.


Strange as it is and something that is not often talked about... but it is true. When none of the opposite gendered chickens are present (hen-less roosters or rooster-less hens), chickens may respond to close human interaction as they would to the opposite gender of their own species.

This is why domesticated laying hens (particularly when raised closely with people and not exposed to a rooster) often squat when people approach them. It is a behavior recognizing, submitting to and showing respect to the rooster and his duties. In a similar manner, a young rooster may get confused if he is not adaquately exposed to female chickens and you are closely involved with him.

Weird behaviors that result may include:

Obsessive behaviors with being near the face, on the shoulder or back; picking or pulling at hair; tid-bitting to people (bringing you food or calling you to get food he found); wing dipping and shuffling around people's feet; pecking at people's hands, feet or head; crowing when you are absent; puffing out the chest and making low, deep, guttural noises when you are present.

It is weird and definitely awkward behavior. However, it is often correctable in young roosters and I would strongly suggest acting as soon as possible.

What to do:

1: Get him some hens. This is crucial.

2: Space yourself from him (i.e keep him outside and keep yourself distant from him while he learns how to behave and socialize with his own females).

3: Be dominate. It sounds like you are familiar with chicken talk. Use that to discourage inappropriate behavior. Be confident, assertive and authoritative. If he pecks or runs after you, don't run away or shrug him off. Make sure you clarify who is the dominant. Responding confidently may encourage him to second guess himself, break his attachment to you and bond with his own hens.

I hope this helps.

 

[Alexandra33]

Following along to see what solutions others offer, because I also a few cuddly (mature) roosters who love being near faces (sometimes peck, too), and fly on shoulders at every given chance. Not wishing to prevent this behavior, just curious.

From the brief description, it doesn't sound like aggression. Hostile bites are often preceded by wing-dancing, tidbitting, or a slight lowering of the head and shoulder nearest to you with constricted pupils.

Please beware of "friendly cockerels automatically become human aggressive later." This "fact" doesn't hold enough water to be anything more than a theory. "Overhandling" doesn't consistently create nasty cockerels, either. There's no proof other than individual experiences, which vary widely. More often than not, ignoring (treating your boys in an aloof manner) or loving young cockerels are both neutral methods. Either result in one of only two possible outcomes: well-behaved roos, or aggressive roos. My point being that genetics/inhereted personality plays a huge part here....some boys are destined to be evil no matter what one does.

~Alex

 

[azygous]

I've been hesitating to reply until I know the age of this cockerel to save myself some effort addressing unpertinent issues. Either the OP is sleeping in, is mutely scanning replies, or has abandoned the thread.

Both @Alexandra33 and especially @Little Chicken Girl have given very insightful responses.

My view is that if the cockerel is only five or six weeks old, it's not a big deal right now that he's demanding cuddles and attention. However, a cockerel five or six months old is an entirely different matter. Continuing to give in to his demands can backfire once the hormones kick in for real. And if any female chickens are introduced into the mix, that would likely trigger a lot of dormant instincts that could be problematic at best, and very potentially dangerous.

If the plan is to rehome the cockerel, I advise to do so immediately, and not complicate things by bringing home a pullet or two.

If the plan is to keep the cockerel and begin a flock by getting some pullets, then the cockerel should be weaned off his relationship with his humans.The big danger here is that a cockerel coming into his hormones can experience confusion and anxiety if there are conflicting signals he's receiving. Depending on his genes, this could cause him to develop aggressive behavior to compensate. Once a cockerel starts down this path, it's just a very bad situation with low chances of a good outcome.

 

[Cowgirl08tiff]

Disclosure: I am not a chicken behavioral specialist and likely not as experienced as many chicken enthusiasts here. Be critical of my advice.


Strange as it is and something that is not often talked about... but it is true. When none of the opposite gendered chickens are present (hen-less roosters or rooster-less hens), chickens may respond to close human interaction as they would to the opposite gender of their own species.

This is why domesticated laying hens (particularly when raised closely with people and not exposed to a rooster) often squat when people approach them. It is a behavior recognizing, submitting to and showing respect to the rooster and his duties. In a similar manner, a young rooster may get confused if he is not adaquately exposed to female chickens and you are closely involved with him.

Weird behaviors that result may include:

Obsessive behaviors with being near the face, on the shoulder or back; picking or pulling at hair; tid-bitting to people (bringing you food or calling you to get food he found); wing dipping and shuffling around people's feet; pecking at people's hands, feet or head; crowing when you are absent; puffing out the chest and making low, deep, guttural noises when you are present.

It is weird and definitely awkward behavior. However, it is often correctable in young roosters and I would strongly suggest acting as soon as possible.

What to do:

1: Get him some hens. This is crucial.

2: Space yourself from him (i.e keep him outside and keep yourself distant from him while he learns how to behave and socialize with his own females).

3: Be dominate. It sounds like you are familiar with chicken talk. Use that to discourage inappropriate behavior. Be confident, assertive and authoritative. If he pecks or runs after you, don't run away or shrug him off. Make sure you clarify who is the dominant. Responding confidently may encourage him to second guess himself, break his attachment to you and bond with his own hens.

I hope this helps.

Thank you so much! He’s 5 months.

 

[Cowgirl08tiff]

Thank you so much! He’s 5 months.

Omg! I tried it. He was grumbling and screeching at me, and trying to peck me. I said “that’s enough” in my stern teacher voice and he immediately went silent and stopped. When he did it again, I said it again and placed him on his perch. Since he wants to be held, I figured it would be a good cause and effect. When your mean and grumpy I won’t hold you. He’s only five months so we have training time

 

[Alexandra33]

Very good! Chickens are smarter than we sometimes give them credit for, and they'll learn what behaviors bring about favorable outcomes.....or the opposite. By refusing to reward him for acting up, he may possibly quit biting. It's definitely worth a shot!

~Alex

 

[azygous]

A sharp "peck" with your finger on his back is a silent signal to a chicken they are misbehaving. This is how older chickens discipline younger ones that are getting out of line.

With commitment and consistency, it's not hard to train behavior in a rooster.

 

[aquabum]

I have several friendly birds, both hen and rooster! I do not let them near my face or on my shoulder etc... They all love to peck at things and my clothing. It's just in their nature to so. My young ones will peck the mess out of my clothes and if they pull a string out, watch out, it's instantly a WORM!

Mine all friendly peck! But one friendly peck away from loosing an eye is not something I want!