Bully cockerel

[rachelb]

I have an 18 week old cockerel who is a bully. I have hatched 5 eggs, unfortunately 3 are cockerels and 2 hens. I am looking for new homes for 2 of the cockerels as they are beginning to fight. In the meantime the main cockerel is becoming a bully and tonight I’ve found him in the coop and the other 4 12 foot high up in the walnut tree roosting. Is this normal please?

 

[azygous]

This young bird is coming into his hormones and feeling his power. It may be possible to train some manners into him, but since you have an abundance of these boy chicks, the easiest way to deal with the issue is to cull before you get attached to him.

Meanwhile, if you are hesitant to cull, here is my rookie-roo tutorial. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/i-think-i-have-a-cockerel-now-what-do-i-do.76274/

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC.
I would not keep a young cockerel with only two pullets or hens. An older rooster might have better manners, but with only two hens, I wouldn't want any males.

 

[sourland]

A very belated welcome to BYC. Time for him to leave the flock, and probably the other two cockerels also.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Is this normal please?

I don't know that I'd call it normal but it's not that surprising. I assume they are all the same age. He has hit puberty and his hormones are driving him batty. He is probably trying to mate the girls and they don't want him to. He's probably picking on the boys for flock dominance. They all decided to get away from him.

Getting rid of a couple of the boys is a good idea.

 

[Mrs. K]

If this is your first year with chickens, cull all three roosters. Roosters take a bit of experience, and IMO, roosters raised with older birds are much better than just hatch mates.

Mrs K