Agressive Roosters or Mating Roosters

[lzufelt]

Hi everyone,

I am looking for some insight on my backyard chickens.

On February 14, 2015 I hatched 14 baby Chicks. We ended up with only four (positive) hens. Recently I sold four of my more dominent roosters to hobby farms in our area which brought us down to 10 chickens. I have one little hen that gets picked on way more often then my other three confirmed hens.

I am not sure if they are just picking on her or if they are starting to mate (I received my first egg this morning). They have drawn blood from her once which breaks my heart and I end up screaming and trying to save her from them BUT I don't want to be interfering with the "natural way" of them mating?

I think it is also important to add that none of my roosters are aggressive towards me or anyone else that enters the coop or yard.

I would appreciate any advice or insight!

Thank you in advance!



(**I am looking to get rid of four more roosters and adding more hens to my coop as to keep two of my roosters**)

 

[keesmom]

So you have 6 cockerels in with only 4 pullets? I would separate out the males for now. Far too much testosterone for so few pullets. Then select the 2 you want to keep and reintroduce them when you have more females.

 

[lzufelt]

I have 4 confirmed hens (looks, behaviour, etc) and I have 2 confirmed roosters (I know that it is still too much) but I have one black bird and three Frizzles that I have no idea if they are a hen or a rooster.



The Frizzle and the black one? Sorry for the bad pictures. I am not home today to take new ones.






(the cage has been removed- It was in there as their brooder and I didn't want to take it out "cold turkey" on them) Black bird (head up) in the back of the coop.

You can see the two black ones on the left side of this picture. The little one in front is for sure a rooster but the one by the wall, in back, I am just not sure about. I have seen it attach but I am so unsure if it is pecking order or if he is trying to mate. You can also see Ella (the little white one right in the middle) that is the one that is overly picked on.

Black little fluffy bum by the door and white frizzle in front??


Up close?? Nugget Black Hen or Rooster?
Beside Nuggest is Frieda and she appears to have many characteristics of an ameracauna but I have never seen a white breed? Frieda is never picked on or mated with while I am around


roo or hen??



I hope these pictures are helpful!
Again, ANY insight is welcome (including if you see any problems with my coop or bedding, etc.)

 

[junebuggena]

Cockerel, pullet, cockerel

Cockerel

Cockerel

The black on the far left is a cockerel; the red and white one on the water tub is a cockerel. The frizzle up front is a cockerel, the red frizzle on the right is a cockerel, the black and white in the middle with the black tail is a cockerel.


This one looks like a cockerel too.

Is this all the room they have? It seems a bit crowded for all of them to be in 24/7. You definitely have way too many boys. Roosters are not gentle while mating. They grab the hen on the back of the neck and try to dig into their sides with the feet/spurs. It is especially rough when they are young, and if there are no mature hens around, the teenage boys will try to mate immature pullets. More room will help the girls to avoid the boys.

 

[lzufelt]

THANK YOU! How can you tell with the Frizzles?













We do open the coop door in the day time and they are allowed to free range into the barn and make their way outside into our back yard.

We have also cut a door in our barn allow them to free range in the pasture (but they have not even explored that option yet).


I feel like a really big failure on this one. I grew up in the city and I am marrying a farmer so I embraced the farm life. I have adopted 2 mama sheep that have since gave birth to 5 lambs. I adopted an 11 year old jersey cow and it was my choice to hatch chickens. I researched, read, bought books, asked questions and I am still getting it all wrong. I can't find any more hens in my area to add and I am so attached to all of my birds that it actually breaks my heart to get rid of any of them.

 

[junebuggena]

Frizzle hens take much longer to develop than the boys. Those big red combs are screaming cockerel, and even frizzles get the super thin, long, shiny saddle feathers; it's just a bit harder to see them. For the red and black one, it's a typical male Black Breasted Red color pattern.

 

[lzufelt]

Okay, thanks!

Do you still think it's too cramped in there?

 

[junebuggena]

As long as they have plenty of access to larger areas, they should be fine, but you still a lot of roosters for your girls to dodge. It won't be possible for them to escape them all, every time. I'd start by getting rid of the more 'amorous/aggressive' first. Your girls don't need that kind of constant stress.

 

[lzufelt]

Agreed! Thank you for your help!

Last night I sold 5 of my remaining roosters and kept only one. The girls and Jude now get along just fine and the coop seems to be a lot less hectic and the flock much more happy!!

Again thank you!

 

[CrazyTalk]

If you've got a hen that has started laying from that batch, then the cockerels have been sexually mature for months. You really need to get down to 1-2 cocks.


EDIT: Not sure what just happened - your last post wasn't showing up for me. Looks like you've got it under control