Aggressive or Normal Rooster Behavior?

[JoeInPA]

I have two Welsummers that are 15 weeks old, one rooster and one pullet. I have three younger pullets but I've been raising them separately and slowly integrating them.

Anyways this morning when I let the two Welsummers out of the coop and walked them over to the run (about 20 yards apart, temporary setup) the rooster out of nowhere grabbed the pullet right around her the back of her neck with his beak and wouldn't let go until the feathers pulled out.

Not sure what happened there. They seemed fine after I put them in the run, and they have been fine since, but I thought that was rather aggressive behavior, although I'm not an expert. Is this normal rooster behavior or is this aggressive?

The rooster is very friendly towards people and generally gets along pretty well with the pullet. They chase each other around a bit, but not incessantly.

 

[DobieLover]

I have two Welsummers that are 15 weeks old, one rooster and one pullet. I have three younger pullets but I've been raising them separately and slowly integrating them.

Anyways this morning when I let the two Welsummers out of the coop and walked them over to the run (about 20 yards apart, temporary setup) the rooster out of nowhere grabbed the pullet right around her the back of her neck with his beak and wouldn't let go until the feathers pulled out.

Not sure what happened there. They seemed fine after I put them in the run, and they have been fine since, but I thought that was rather aggressive behavior, although I'm not an expert. Is this normal rooster behavior or is this aggressive?

The rooster is very friendly towards people and generally gets along pretty well with the pullet. They chase each other around a bit, but not incessantly.

Your cockerel is coming of age with a body full of raging hormones. He instinctively grabbed the back of the pullets head as that is what they do to mate. It is perfectly normal. Not uncommon for the pullet to panic and pull away causing the feathers to get ripped out.
If he really starts terrorizing her, you can isolate him from her for a while to give her a break.
How young are the younger pullets in weeks?

 

[JoeInPA]

Your cockerel is coming of age with a body full of raging hormones. He instinctively grabbed the back of the pullets head as that is what they do to mate. It is perfectly normal. Not uncommon for the pullet to panic and pull away causing the feathers to get ripped out.
If he really starts terrorizing her, you can isolate him from her for a while to give her a break.
How young are the younger pullets in weeks?

I thought maybe it was a mating thing. He doesn't seem to be terrorizing her at all, it was just something I didn't expect that looked like it could've been bullying. The younger pullets are right around 7 weeks.

 

[chrissynemetz]

It's just your cockerel trying to figure out how to mate. It takes some boys a while to work out the 'how to' of it.
I agree with @DobieLover in that separating him until he's a bit more mature might be a good idea

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It's similar to the old cliche of a boy pulling the pigtails on a girl he likes, except it's more annoying in my opinion.

 

[Mrs. K]

And just because he is with a single pullet, if I read your post correctly, I would separate him too. A rooster can run pullets ragged. A single pullet can wear out quickly. They are quickly getting bigger than the pullet, and can bully them. You don't need to do this immediately, but with a rooster it is best to have a plan B set up and ready to use.

Roosters are a crap shoot, be always aware of him. Observer him, and observe how he observes you. A rooster attack can be violent. If you have young children, I would be doubly aware.

Mrs K

 

[JoeInPA]

And just because he is with a single pullet, if I read your post correctly, I would separate him too. A rooster can run pullets ragged. A single pullet can wear out quickly. They are quickly getting bigger than the pullet, and can bully them. You don't need to do this immediately, but with a rooster it is best to have a plan B set up and ready to use.

Roosters are a crap shoot, be always aware of him. Observer him, and observe how he observes you. A rooster attack can be violent. If you have young children, I would be doubly aware.

Mrs K

No young children around and the rooster is very friendly towards people and seems to get along well with the pullets.

 

[aart]

He doesn't seem to be terrorizing her at all, it was just something I didn't expect that looked like it could've been bullying.

What is key is if he keeps chasing and grabbing her.
Best to have a separate enclosure or crate to isolate him if it starts getting uglier....
....or if he start going after the younger pullets.

 

[Shadrach]

I have two Welsummers that are 15 weeks old, one rooster and one pullet. I have three younger pullets but I've been raising them separately and slowly integrating them.

Anyways this morning when I let the two Welsummers out of the coop and walked them over to the run (about 20 yards apart, temporary setup) the rooster out of nowhere grabbed the pullet right around her the back of her neck with his beak and wouldn't let go until the feathers pulled out.

Not sure what happened there. They seemed fine after I put them in the run, and they have been fine since, but I thought that was rather aggressive behavior, although I'm not an expert. Is this normal rooster behavior or is this aggressive?

The rooster is very friendly towards people and generally gets along pretty well with the pullet. They chase each other around a bit, but not incessantly.

It's normal.
One male and one female is the natural arrangement for chickens.

 

[JoeInPA]

Here's are all the chickens together. Sunday was their first full day together, previously the younger chicks have been off in their own enclosed corner so that the Welsummers can see them but not get to them. But they did well together Sunday. Yesterday the white rocks stayed inside as it was pouring rain, but the Welsummers went out by themselves so they got a break from each other. Today I have them back in the run all together. I'm monitoring them closely but they really don't seem to have any trouble with each other. The white rocks are catching up in size quickly too.