Cockeral scared of older hens

[ayeitsmeme]

So my sweet little old hens are apparently very good at whopping cockerel butt . They're 4 years old and never dealt with any man other than my 2 drakes, which they also put in their place as they got older. All 3 of my cockerels are scared of my 2 black sex link hens. Whopper my BCM has mounted Flour twice that I know of successfully, and after he ran away scared when she ran after him. Any other time he's tried Pepper comes over and pecks him and he runs off. And with Pepper he keeps trying, like he'll grab her comb and every single time it ends in her getting the upper hand and pecking him on the head . Its gotten to the point if either Flour or Pepper make this low chirp the boys start looking for where to run.

Side note...my boys (except my sebright) are all bigger than those 2. Is this something that will continue to be how it works out in the pecking order? Does anyone else have hens that rule the roost??

Sweet old lady Pepper

The guy who's terrified of this sweet little round ole girl

 

[orloffer]

An interesting situation. I do not have a rooster and therefore cannot offer you any advice, but hopefully someone who can will come along shortly. Both your cockerel and your hen are beautiful birds!

 

[orloffer]

Well, if you are not looking to hatch eggs in the nearer future, maybe it is not a problem? Sometimes older hens will try to show young cockerels who is in charge.

 

[ayeitsmeme]

Well, if you are not looking to hatch eggs in the nearer future, maybe it is not a problem? Sometimes older hens will try to show young cockerels who is in charge.

Certainly not a problem, more just interesting to me how things are going lol. You have these super laid back hens running things while hes strutting around thinking hes the greatest thing since sliced bread and he runs away scared if one of the old girls comes over lol. I'm all for my girls putting him in his place!

 

[abosman]

He’s beautiful! I don’t think it’ll be a problem. As he gets older, i’m sure your ladies will learn to tolerate him.

 

[ayeitsmeme]

He’s beautiful! I don’t think it’ll be a problem. As he gets older, i’m sure your ladies will learn to tolerate him.

Thank you! Hopefully by then they will have taught the young guy some manners lol

 

[MarkJr]

My cockerel is 8.5 weeks old.... and is in with the 21 week pullets (10) 6.5 week old fresh weaned pullets (4) from under the single momma hen (2-3 years)

He has learned quickly to disappear, and roost time is pure finesse. He waits for the fresh weaned pullets to start getting knocked down the order a bit.... then slides onto the quietest spot on the roost away from them. When he gets the girls attention, he hunkers down and takes a few pecks.

The only ones in the flock that don’t ride roughshod over him are now the 4 youngest pullets. Yesterday he wasn’t able to look twice because of momma. Typical hen light switch milestones...... she woke up with weaned chicks. He, in turn, used it to his advantage.

I’ve been told this makes them more respectful. Had a CM roo come in and take charge. I think the CM had it better.

Good luck with your gentle guys. I’ll be watching to see how he turns out.

 

[calboy147]

So my sweet little old hens are apparently very good at whopping cockerel butt . They're 4 years old and never dealt with any man other than my 2 drakes, which they also put in their place as they got older. All 3 of my cockerels are scared of my 2 black sex link hens. Whopper my BCM has mounted Flour twice that I know of successfully, and after he ran away scared when she ran after him. Any other time he's tried Pepper comes over and pecks him and he runs off. And with Pepper he keeps trying, like he'll grab her comb and every single time it ends in her getting the upper hand and pecking him on the head . Its gotten to the point if either Flour or Pepper make this low chirp the boys start looking for where to run.

Side note...my boys (except my sebright) are all bigger than those 2. Is this something that will continue to be how it works out in the pecking order? Does anyone else have hens that rule the roost??

Sweet old lady Pepper View attachment 2257985
The guy who's terrified of this sweet little round ole girl View attachment 2257986

They will work it out. Your roosters just haven't figured out they are roosters yet. Have had several hens attack Rodger. had one Silver Wyandotte that would square off with him, them juke him really bad and get away from him. But now she goes looking for him and usually follows him around with all the rest. And submits instantly.