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Dancing Rooster?
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Dancing Rooster?
I have a large Orpington Rooster. He is about 5 months old. He has always been a big baby. Lately though, he has taken on a characteristic that I am not familiar with. When you walk into the yard, he starts circling you, tamping his feet and doing it sideways at times. My little nephew, which is Dr. Pecker’s handler, picks him up and hes fine. While they were out free ranging the other day, my nephew sat down on the ground with him and he started his ‘dance’ again, tamping his feet while circling him and even took his body and bumped into him. I don’t know if his behaviour is aggressive or playful. Has anyone seen this before and can offer me some insight?
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13 Replies
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That is what my roosters do right before they mate with the hens.
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Yea, he’s been tearing my hens up. All I see him do with them though is chase them around everywhere. I have noticed black spots on their combs which appear to be where he’s been grabbing them.
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My roosters were about a year old before they learned to start doing the dance for the hens. He’s probably just young and Confused.😂
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😂 He better save it for the hens! Good news, no spurs yet! I’ve had roosters before but never seen them do this but it makes sense the way he is acting!
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Last late summer I culled Mr. Rogers, aka “Feed”, because. I had 5/12 girls with bald backs. It was insurrection when I put hen saddles on them, and they just about took up picket signs. Fred was initially a gentleman, but as he established his favorites, things did not go well. I decided that God makes new roosters every day, and if I needed another, one would show up. I like the idea of self sufficiency, and have incubated and hatched several clutches of eggs. Your own chicks are pretty special. I am incubating quail eggs right now.
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This reply was modified 2 years ago by Squashmania.
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I may have to do the same thing. Only problem is, my 8 yo nephew is the only one that can handle him. It would break his heart but he keeps attacking everyone else.
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The recommendation I got for the same problem was to “snatch them up” when you open the coop in the morning, and as inconvenient as it may be, carry the little rotten rascal around with you while you do chores. They will squirm and pitch a fit, but keep some choice snacks in a pocket; BSFL or mealworms are serious enticements. If you have never seen him do the “tidbitting” for the girls, look it up. It’s hysterical.
When you put him down, praise! And give treats quickly. He will soon associate you with the good stuff and become more gentled and willing to be toted around. It doesn’t happen nearly as fast as you want it to, but I saw it make a difference. It’s kind of like bronc riding at the rodeo. They are STRONG! So do your best to hang on and reward for being your pal.
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If you can get a safe hold on him, pull on his feathers like he would if he were on a hen. It’s part of the pecking order so he will learn who is boss.
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This reply was modified 2 years ago by
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I know this is a late response but I had to tell you. We had a silky rooster that loved my wife. He started the dancing around her and then mounted her foot. I was hoping for a large egg left in our bed but instead she did a painting of him and it’s hanging in her sewing room.
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😂😂
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I’ve seen the dance from roosters in the past. I took it as him thinking I was competition. I’ve had gentle roosters that eventually became a..holes. And I’ve also had so aggressive roosters that straitened out my hen house. Had a bad pecking order issue with a hen that was tearing the other hens apart. I had a few roosters from a bunch that had grew out that were going to end up in the pot. I grabbed one that was easy to handle and put in with the hens. The problem hen b..ch smacked him and pecked the crap out of him until he cowered in the corner. I solved it but getting the meanest one of the bunch and put him in. The hen tried to go after him and then after a little fight she backed down and order was restored to the flock. When he got too rough I snapped his neck and replaced him with a nicer rooster. He may have tried to spur me in the face or that may have been another one. Either way the result was the same.
The rooster I have now tried to spur me a couple time and he got rapidly pushed out the door by my boot. I would also hold him down to the roost at night when I would walk in for eggs. He has taken to walking out the door when I walk in the coop and has been a great guardian for the hens while not trying to attack me.
Sorry for the story i just thought I’d add my story. So let him know you have control over him and don’t let him get away with trying to spur you from the very start. It will pay dividends
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Good story! This rooster has attacked my grandkids, chasing them for the longest time! Bruised my 84 year old mom, but doesn’t mess with some. I’m scared for anyone to go in the yard to check eggs or feed and water them. Im probably going to let him fertilize a few more eggs and he is going to the sale! He is a beautiful big rooster but he is just too much to handle!
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Aww, thanks! I’m almost thinking right now I’d rather he were a Mr. Trembles with his wild activity! 😄.
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