[Caralou]

In the last newsletter I had a question from a reader asking:

“Please could somebody tell me why my cockerel Fruitcake behaves in a strange way?  He chundles away to himself when I approach the run and when I enter watches me closely. If he gets a chance he runs sideways into me at highspeed and sometimes pecks my feet.  I saw him run sideways into the hens this morning, so it is not just me.  He also makes a very loud cawing noise, like I have not heard before.  May be he is a looney tune.  Does anybody else have any experiences of this please?”

Does anyone know why the sideways run? There is obviously a dominance issue going on, but the sideways running I have never seen. Would really appreciate any help as I am a bit at a loss 

[joyfull]

the sideways dance is their mating ritual, they all do it - they drop one wing, lift up the opposite leg and jump sideways towards their mate (sometimes they decide that mate is a human  . The noises they make are their chat up lines 

[GrannieAnnie]

And what Joy forgot to tell you was that when her boys do this, she imitates them and it confuses them!

And now I do it when Bertie Rooster sidles up to me!!!     It is funny to see him.  He's completely confused!!

[joyfull]

stops them attacking you as they think you are the bigger rooster then. I have now started to do it to your Lav boy as he started to charge at me again today. Works a treat 

[Caralou]

Bless  None of my boys have ever been allowed to get big enough for mating rituals  Blackie was the only one who got old enough to deed do and he never seemed interested 

Obviously Fruitcake thinks his human mum is a potential mate 

[jhub]

Am sure my sons dance in a very similar fashion!