Chocobo abilities

[mouseno4]

Is there any way to manually cast these?

For example, if i want to have it cast one of its attacks as soon as combat starts instead of when it feels like it, is there a way to do this? Maybe via macro?

The actual spells cannot be dragged down to an action bar.

[HinaCake]

No, you can only use the different stances to tell your chocobo to only use abilities from a specific role tree or from all if you choose Free Stance.
If I remember correct the devs said it is intentional design that you can't use your chocobo to initiate a fight and it only reacts after you attack a monster.