5 months old!

[allbuffs]

I'm new to raising chickens. I bought 20 hens and two roosters, (I thought I would lose some) I've had good luck and sold some, I now have 14 hens and 1 rooster, all buffs. They are almost 5 mo old and all of a sudden the rooster is crazy! He chases the girls, try's to mount them, and keeps them "gathered up". My hens are hiding in the corners, won't come to me and try to hide from the rooster. Is this normal? Tonight I locked the rooster out in the run and the hens in the coop to give them some peace.

 

[SOHC-FTW]

His mojo is starting aka hormones its typical for them during this age they usually need sometime to outgrow it.

 

[ChickNanny13]

2x Those raging hormones, you got enough space for all? You could set up some hiding places for them.

 

[allbuffs]

His mojo is starting aka hormones its typical for them during this age they usually need sometime to outgrow it.

 

[allbuffs]

is it ok just to separate them a few hrs. a day?

 

[ChickNanny13]

You could get a huge wire cage, put him in it with food & water and put it in the run, at night let them roost together in the roost. But I see no problem separating them several hours a day, others may differ....

 

[aart]

is it ok just to separate them a few hrs. a day?

Absolutely! Or even longer if he doesn't shape up quick. Sometimes a time out can calm them down, sometimes not.

You could get a huge wire cage, put him in it with food & water and put it in the run, at night let them roost together in the roost. But I see no problem separating them several hours a day, others may differ....

Good Idea^^^

ETA: Oh, and, Welcome to BYC...dealing with young males is one of the hardest learning curves.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! He's being an idiot adolescent, and doesn't have any mature hens to whale on him for being rude. More space, places to hide, and time, should fix it. If actual injuries are happening, that's really not good, and a reason to cull. It's easier in a flock with mature birds, but you have to start somewhere. So enjoy the experience, and see how things develop. Mary

 

[allbuffs]

Welcome! He's being an idiot adolescent, and doesn't have any mature hens to whale on him for being rude. More space, places to hide, and time, should fix it. If actual injuries are happening, that's really not good, and a reason to cull. It's easier in a flock with mature birds, but you have to start somewhere. So enjoy the experience, and see how things develop. Mary

 

[allbuffs]

thank you Mary, I'll hang in there. I've tried to separate them today and that seems a little better