Bully

[KaseyMarch]

We’ve got a bully in our flock that I’m not sure what to do with. The entire group (13) hatched Memorial Day weekend, so as of this writing they’re 12 weeks old.

Bully (grey bird in the picture below) is chasing are the hens and pulling feathers out in tufts. It’s not one or two others - anyone that gets too close (even the birds that are bigger), except the roosters.

The entire group shares a coop with access to a run at night, but they free range all day.

Any ideas on what might be causing the behavior or how to curb it? It’s only been bad for the past week, but this bird has always been the most likely to peck another.

 

[FeatherTay]

That's what I call hormones, my friend. Best bet is to separate them. Sometimes they snap out of it and mature into a nice guy, but sometimes not.

 

[Ruby Rogue]

He's more than likely trying to take his place as the dominant rooster. You have many. What are you planning to do with all the boys?

 

[Cecisflock]

He's more than likely trying to take his place as the dominant rooster. You have many. What are you planning to do with all the boys?

X2

 

[Ridgerunner]

Any ideas on what might be causing the behavior

It's called puberty. At 12 weeks he's a little early but not that much. Several of the other boys should follow suit before too long. They may harass the girls or they may fight among themselves. Probably both. His hormones have hit and are telling him to dominate the others. I'm a little surprised it's only the girls, he and the other boys should notice each other soon.

or how to curb it?

Eat him, get rid of him, or separate him from the girls.

this bird has always been the most likely to peck another.

Some cockerels (and pullets too) can be pretty aggressive. I usually let this behavior go unless someone is getting hurt. To a certain extent I consider it them being chickens and growing up in a flock. They are setting up social rankings and relationships. It can be violent and hard to watch. They can get hurt. We all have different experiences and tolerances. I have a place set up that I can separate one or a dozen boys from the girls if it exceeds my tolerances. I use that place once about every three or four years.

Most of them calm down when they mature from cockerels and pullets to roosters and hens but getting to that point can be rough. Keeping multiple males present challenges too. Occasionally you get one (boy or girl) that is just a brute. I solve for the peace of the entire flock, not for one individual. I have been known to remove troublemakers permanently.

 

[KaseyMarch]

We are planning to keep one of the ayam cemani roosters for breeding and give away the other ayam cemani roosters or process them if we can’t rehome them. Not sure if anyone will want this rooster since it’s a mixed breed.

 

[FeatherTay]

We are planning to keep one of the ayam cemani roosters for breeding and give away the other ayam cemani roosters or process them if we can’t rehome them. Not sure if anyone will want this rooster since it’s a mixed breed.

Where do you live? My Ayam Cemani Rooster just died last night.

 

[KaseyMarch]

Oh and the other three roosters crow up a storm. This one does not, so we were wondering if that’s odd.

 

[KaseyMarch]

Where do you live? My Ayam Cemani Rooster just died last night.

So sorry for your loss. I’m in Southern VT.

 

[Cecisflock]

Where do you live? My Ayam Cemani Rooster just died last night.

My condolences.