I have a 16 month old Cochin rooster that has been an absolute doll up until the last couple of months. He really only recently (January - February) started asserting his manly rights over most of the 5 hens as I re-homed the dominant roo in January. I don't know if it is him trying to assert dominance, but he seems to be getting into "fights" with the hens, pecking them on the heads and chasing them around. No real damage is being done, but I don't like the trend. He also isn't very gentlemanly. There is no wooing or dancing happening yet and I'm worried that he won't ever get to be a gentleman. I don't like the club and jump type of caveman mating I am seeing and it isn't getting any better.
I also added two 12 week old pullets and a 12 week old cockerel to the coop after carefully integrating them side by side for a week and a half. My roo is (understandably) chasing the cockerel around a bit and there were a couple peck marks on the cockerel's comb, but the roo is also chasing and terrifying the pullets. I was not expecting that from him.
The roo is super respectful of people, but I don't know if his behavior is normal to the ladies and babies or if it is aggression that won't go away.
I am planning on re-homing the cockerel if they don't settle into a pattern, and I have 4 more 12 week old pullets that will be integrated after quarantine to help with the hen:roo ratio.
Can anyone offer thoughts on my roo's behavior?
I also added two 12 week old pullets and a 12 week old cockerel to the coop after carefully integrating them side by side for a week and a half. My roo is (understandably) chasing the cockerel around a bit and there were a couple peck marks on the cockerel's comb, but the roo is also chasing and terrifying the pullets. I was not expecting that from him.
The roo is super respectful of people, but I don't know if his behavior is normal to the ladies and babies or if it is aggression that won't go away.
I am planning on re-homing the cockerel if they don't settle into a pattern, and I have 4 more 12 week old pullets that will be integrated after quarantine to help with the hen:roo ratio.
Can anyone offer thoughts on my roo's behavior?