Aggressive Hens

[Routhfamilyfarm]

HI there,

I hand raised my hens and have recently introduced a 16 week old rooster that I was given. I bought one rooster a few months ago that I found dead in the coop. Since my hens have never really had a rooster tell them what to do they are extremely bossy and aggressive. Im pretty sure they killed the other rooster. This new one is young and they corner him and chase to the highest nesting box. They rarely let him down for food and water (poor guy)...will he come into himself any time soon and "take charge" even with them as bossy as they are?

 

[countrygirl345]

I hate to say it, but probably not. If you have a small crate, put the rooster in it within the big coop, so they can get used to it without killing it. Thats all I know. These things dont have much you can do.

 

[donrae]

I think you'll have the nicest mannered, most respectful rooster out there. Just give him time.

Analogy--if you took a younger teenage boy and put him in a room with a bunch of 30-40 something women, he sure wouldn't be telling them what to do, would he? Nope, they'd be the boss for a good long while. Maybe not a perfect analogy, but you get the drift. Your rooster is just barely hitting maturity. The hens will teach him manners, and make him prove himself before they'll let him be the boss. Maybe put an extra feeder and waterer so they can't guard both all the time, and make sure they all have plenty of room. It may take a few months, but I'm thinking in 90 days or less you'll have a harmonious flock. I've raised lots of young roosters in a flock with mature hens and their behavior is pretty common.