Bringing in a replacement roo/cockerel

[aart]

Willie's been doing more chasing today.
Just witnessed something pretty interesting.
This evening when all the other birds were already in coop, he was chasing a pullet(the one who is laying and has been harassing him), she got on a run roost, he paced a bit then hunkered down near her, then was chasing her again (not sure if he went after her on the roost or she got down).
Woody came out of coop and 'rescued' her just by being there, Willie backed off.
Woody tid-bitted pullet a few times as they walked back to coop, then she squatted for him, he put one foot up then backed down(Woody is molting so maybe not interested?) and led her into the coop chatting all the way.

Woody is not overtly aggressive towards Willie, but certainly keeps him in his place.
Am torn about when to cull Woody, was going to be next week but I think it might be good to keep him around for longer. Have never had quite this situation before.

 

[lazy gardener]

Aart, is there a compelling reason to cull Woody before cold weather sets in? I would wait until Willie is demonstrating consistent breeding behavior that does not involve chasing and feather yanking. IMO, the extra "chaperone" duty performed by Woody will earn his keep until cold weather forces all birds to be more "coop bound".

I have seen numerous breeding attempts by Ol' Man Jack that are so far from hitting the target that the poor hen/pullet is left shaking her head, and wondering... "What was that supposed to be????" Yeah... He sometimes goes through the motions, but... um... perhaps he needs glasses. Yet, when I see this behavior, I am totally surprised that almost all of my eggs bear the tell tale bulls eye.

Today, he was under the coop steps, scraping all of the spilled hay into a nest, and chuckling at the girls, inviting each one of them into his "special" nest box. One at a time, they'd crawl under the step, cuddle with him for a bit, then leave. I really don't want to replace him, but fear that I must if I want continued generations of chicks. Hoping he'll be able to give me one more season.

 

[The Angry Hen]

Aart, is there a compelling reason to cull Woody before cold weather sets in? I would wait until Willie is demonstrating consistent breeding behavior that does not involve chasing and feather yanking. IMO, the extra "chaperone" duty performed by Woody will earn his keep until cold weather forces all birds to be more "coop bound".

Agreed. If Woody is an overall-good rooster I'd breed him for plenty of reasons and give it some time. No rush.

 

[aart]

Woody's reign is done here, time for new blood and for a change in my breeding plans.
I'd sell him but he has some problems I won't pass on.

Need to reduce population for winter. Other 3 cockerels and a sick hen already gone.
Thought I could do just 1 more slaughter session(I can only do 4 at a time),
but probably need 2 anyway, so I could just push Woody and others back to later.

BUT

It's a crap shoot whether Woody will teach Willie valuable lessons,
or Woody is just exacerbating Willie's frustration of a normal need to dominate.
'Environment of Competition'.
Willie may calm down some if the other male is removed,
Woody sure did in the same situation when he was the same age.

Holds both hands out, palms up, weighing the options.

 

[lazy gardener]

Got it. In such a situation, there is no right or wrong. What there is here, is making the best decision for YOU and for YOUR FLOCK. That's what good stewardship and good animal husbandry is all about. And Kudos to you for choosing to process Woody instead of passing him on to an other flock, especially if you see that he has issues that would not be good in an other flock. I dread, rue, mourn the day when I have to remove Jack from my flock. But, that I will do, when that day comes, unless hubby takes pity on me and does the deed for me.

 

[lazy gardener]

Last night, I allowed Goliath to go to coop with the big kids. Jr was very upset that he had to sleep alone. All was calm when I got up this morning. No blood shed, the hens and pullets all had their feathers. Today, there have been multiple episodes of hens/pullets screaming about Goliath's unwanted attention. He is spending a lot of time tidbitting the girls, and for the most part, they are not interested in his offerings. For now, the 2 boys are sharing the flock as well as can be expected.

 

[aart]

About the same here, but things are much calmer today. Only heard a couple of scuffles, 'cockerel couplings' I believe. Boys are keeping their distance for the most part. Lucky to have 2 runs off 1 coop, plenty of room for both. The girls seem to go back and forth, some of each age with each boy.

Willie is not chasing too hard/long/often or pinning down, and is staying away from Woody and me. I think his demeanor bodes well for the future(hope I don't have to eat those words after Woody is gone).

 

[lazy gardener]

Likewise, i am pleased with what I am seeing of Goliath. He's a chatty fellow. I just love the constant rooster "chuckle" noise they make. Jack continues to exhibit his "nesting" behavior. Goliath seems to be putting most of his effort into providing treats. Today, I put out some clabbered milk. Not a lot of interest in it b/c they'd been out foraging most of the day, but several of the girls came and slurped it down. Goliath had never had it before. He tried some, then, knowing that it must be good, b/c the other girls were sucking it down, he spent the next 5 minutes tidbitting the SIDE of the bowl, instead of the milk. I got some pics of Goliath today. he was having a crowing jag. Evidently, he's in love with his own voice. Tried to catch the glow as the sun shines on those feathers, but sure the camera will not do him justice.

 

[aart]

Things are pretty calm......Woody's keeping Willie intimidated without physical contact.
Saw Woody gently(she submitted) mount a pullet today, one who looks red but hasn't laid yet.......and Willie chase down a hen until her head was in the corner behind a block, mounted her(kinda) after she tried to get away again (she did not really submit) then let her go, Woody did not 'rescue' her. I guess I'm glad Willie didn't beat her while she was down, but makes me wonder/worry about when Woody is gone(probably this week).
Sigh, Chicken Juggling, SMH.

 

[lazy gardener]

Goliath seems to be figuring things out now. He's showing a bit more success with the ladies. Honestly, I don't expect them to be willing participants with him as long as Jack runs the show. But, he seems to be having a bit of success with the ladies today. Still a lot of yelling. Has dog and me running for the back door often to see if there's a hawk swooping in for the kill.