Cockerel attacking molting hen

[vantain]

I'd keep him in the crate out of sight of the flock for a few days to give her time to recover.

This is where I have him for now. It's not very big, but it's all I have. I have him in my shed. He is near the chickens, but cannot see them. He's going crazy in there, and crowing constantly this morning. How long should I keep him there? Do I need to provide a bigger space for him?

I'm still on the fence about whether to keep him or not. I'm leaning toward just not having a rooster. He's been absolutely great with everyone, until this issue started with this one hen. To be fair, Gwyneth is the top hen, and is 2 years older than my cockerel. I think what may be happening is that she has always refused his mating. I'm guessing something switched over in my roos head, and he decided that he had enough of that, and that is what led to this whole...."you will submit to me" fiasco. I guess I'm not sure if keeping him away for a few day will be enough, or if returning him to the flock will just cause the issues to start up again.

Everyone seems to be doing fine without him, but they can hear him, and so they are aware he is around.

 

[aart]

Do I need to provide a bigger space for him?

That looks good.
He may calm down after awhile.

 

[vantain]

That looks good.
He may calm down after awhile.

He's been in there since last night. His comb is a bit bloodied from his efforts to get out.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Sounds a lot like something that happened to me several years back. I raised a cockerel with the flock and removed the dominant rooster when he was about six months old. By the time he was 11 months old that cockerel was mating every hen in the flock except the dominant hen. When she saw him mating she's knock him off to show she was boss but no real violence.

Then one day he decided to stand up to her bullying. He wanted to be the dominant flock master so he stood up to her and beat her up. For two days any time she came close to the flock he ran her off. He'd attack her, trying to peck her head which is where they can do the most damage. It was fairly vicious for a couple of days but no blood was drawn. After two days she somehow signaled that she accepted his dominance and they became best buddies. But it could have ended very differently if blood had been drawn.

I’m thinking they may just be better off without him. I don’t need a rooster, I just had him because he wasn’t a she when we got our chicks back in April last year.

In that case I think this is the right decision. Most of my cockerels are able to take over a flock of hens at 7 months or so. Their personality develops by then. Plus I think the personality of the dominant hen has a lot to do with that. My late developing 11 month old never made that great of a dominant rooster. I don't think he had the self-confidence and dominant personality a dominant rooster needs. Your 10 month old cockerel may fall in that same situation. That's why I prefer an early-maturing rooster.

I suggest keeping as few boys as you can and still meet your goals. From what I've read I think the perfect answer for you is zero boys.

 

[vantain]

I have posted his availability to be given away to several sites. No takers yet. For now, he’s still in the cage, but he has not settled down yet. He also won’t stop crowing...constantly...all day long.

 

[vantain]

Everyone will be happier once he's gone.
It's a hard decision, but the peace that reigns after a troublesome bird leaves is worth it.

I am
Looking for someone to take him. I’d prefer to rehome him, rather than culling. My only other option, while I hope and wait for someone to adopt him, would be to maybe pen him separately from the girls. Would it work to have him living in the same run, but separated, where he can’t physically get to them?

 

[aart]

Would it work to have him living in the same run, but separated, where he can’t physically get to them?

Better that than letting him attack the molting bird, but he won't be happy.
It's pretty hard to 're-home' a male bird.

I kept a cockerel in a fenced off part of the coop all my first winter, while I got up the nerve, knowledge and equipment to learn to slaughter.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Would it work to have him living in the same run, but separated, where he can’t physically
get to them?

Yes. Probably the best option for now. Sometimes there is no perfect option so all you can do is the best you can.

 

[vantain]

I’m happy to report that he was adopted. A family nearby with rural property took him in. They want to raise barred rocks, and needed a barred rock rooster. They already have a few hens. This is probably ideal for him, and I hope he gets along just fine with the new ladies, and plenty of free range space to exercise his protective instincts.

 

[aart]

I’m happy to report that he was adopted. A family nearby with rural property took him in. They want to raise barred rocks, and needed a barred rock rooster.

Excellent, What Luck!