Beta Rooster Habits and Quality of Life

[angelinagreena]

Cochins are naturally timid. A couple years ago I got a 6 month old bantam Cochin cockerel named Carl and almost everyone bullied him, and btw, he was the only male. At the time I was letting them free range, and when he was about a year old, Carl disappeared. I think they drove him away and he was likely taken by a predator. I don't really know what happened to poor Carl. I feel I put him in harm's way by mixing him with more aggressive breed hens.

Aww that's so sad, I'm sorry that happened. I love the breed so much; they are super sweet!

 

[angelinagreena]

Maybe try separating Barry from the flock for a few days and see what happens.

@OneHappyRooster

Is it best to completely remove him from the space or keep him separate in a kennel but with everyone?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

How much space do you have? Maybe I need to increase the run size, but it's a good space I feel, about 10'x30'...

Mine free range, and one group only stays in the run when it's dark outside. Other than that, they literally habe about 20 acres to seperate themselves on

 

[angelinagreena]

I had similar issues and decided to separate the problem roo from the rest of the flock. It did not go well and actually made things worse! I put him in a large kennel, but still in the coop and visible to the rest of the flock and when I decided to let him rejoin everyone we nearly had a bloodbath. He was immediately rushed by the other (usually timid) Roo and I thought I would never get them separated. We ended up rehoming him because we saw no way to make it work while giving both roosters a good quality of life.

I'm glad you were able to rehome him!

 

[LaFleche]

I would keep Barry as he seems to be healthy, accepted by the hens and in charge. And he is gorgeous!

A cockerel that is behaving (and looking) the way Ezra does and/or is described would lead me to think that he might have some health issues whether innate or acquired.

 

[angelinagreena]

Separation of a dominant cockerel/rooster does not work in the same way that removal of a dominant hen sometimes works. It makes things worse. When the Alpha is returned to the flock he will return with a vengeance.

Do you think creating his own space will work?

 

[LaFleche]

I really don't want to get rid of him, especially with his temperament, that's why I'm thinking of building him his own bachelor pad ;-)

That would of course be the best solution for him.