Bossy Rooster

[tophatter]

Hello Everyone, I consider myself somewhat experienced with chickens having had them for over 20 years. I am perplexed by a Cochin rooster who it seems is trying to control the feed in his pen. We have a nice chicken coop and run with plenty of room for our flock of 12 hens and 1 rooster. They have a feed container and water inside the coop and then outside there is a treat tree where I place fresh veggies daily. This is one of the most well adjusted flocks I have had (six months) ... at least I thought so.... I had noticed that my one rooster, a cochin, was having a hard time becoming a rooster. He was not very "romantic" when approaching the hens. He has not got the technique down yet. With that said, I noticed last evening when doing the nightly bed down, the flock had not eaten their treat tree. This has never happened before. This morning when letting the flock into their run, they all started to gather around and began to eat heartily at the tree. But just as quickly the rooster ran in and using his wing and a side step pushed everyone out of the way. He even chased several hens. I stepped back and watched for a few moments. Each time anyone stepped out of the corner of the run and walked towards the tree, he chased them and did his side step wing thing. The hens are left cowering in the corner. They are afraid of this guy today. I can't have my girls all upset. Do I remove him? What am I to do? Will I ever be able to put him back if I remove him? I am completely perplexed!

 

[sourland]

Have you considered putting up a second treat tree ?

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
How old is he, and how old are the hens? Is this new behavior on his part?
At least two feeders and waterers, and spreading out the treats, should make things better for everyone.
He sounds like a cockerel who hasn't learned how to behave, or maybe one who's just not so nice.
Mary

 

[tophatter]

Have you considered putting up a second treat tree ?

No, I hadn't thought of that. Good Idea

 

[tophatter]

Welcome!
How old is he, and how old are the hens? Is this new behavior on his part?
At least two feeders and waterers, and spreading out the treats, should make things better for everyone.
He sounds like a cockerel who hasn't learned how to behave, or maybe one who's just not so nice.
Mary

Thanks Mary. They are about 6 months old. It is a very new behavior. Is there any hope for him being better behaved? I have never had a rooster do this.

 

[Folly's place]

Yes, he's a young idiot. He may turn out better, hope so. If he continues to be a jerk, go to Plan B. Having several feed and water stations may fix it, watch and see how he does.
Some cockerels are going to be wonderful, and some are just jerks, so see how this one does.
Mary

 

[tophatter]

Yes, he's a young idiot. He may turn out better, hope so. If he continues to be a jerk, go to Plan B. Having several feed and water stations may fix it, watch and see how he does.
Some cockerels are going to be wonderful, and some are just jerks, so see how this one does.
Mary

Do you think if I separate him for a bit it will help?

 

[Folly's place]

Some people have done that with success, and others, not. I've never tried it, so have no experience with this method.
Here we have adult roosters and hens, who do help humble the cockerels, which is good for them. They still take time to develop polite behaviors; they need to learn that bringing treats and flowers to the ladies is good! Pullets aren't ready to mate when cockerels the same age are interested, so there can be rocky times out there. I draw the line at injuries, and have lots of space for escapes too.
Mary