Cockerel hurting hens???

[ChickenKiera]

I have a cockerel and he is starting to mount the hens. Does it hurt them (the hens) when he does it or will it be ok. The cockerels are about the same size as the hens but I’m worried that he will injure them

 

[HeavensHens88]

Keep an eye on him, but as long as you've got a healthy M:F (1:10, or so) ratio, you shouldn't have any issues with major injury. Some vocal protest /or feather loss around the girls' heads and back/saddle areas is normal. But if you see they're getting plucked raw to the extent of bleeding, you could have a problem.
If he does end up getting too zealous, a a hen apron might be a good course of action.

 

[aart]

I have a cockerel and he is starting to mount the hens. Does it hurt them (the hens) when he does it or will it be ok. The cockerels are about the same size as the hens but I’m worried that he will injure them

How old are these birds, in weeks?
They can possibly be injured if cockerel doesn't have good technique.
Multiple males can make them all behave at their worst...not sure if you have one or more.

What are your long term goals for keeping chickens?
Unless you want to hatch out more chicks in the future, you don't need any males.

The 'rooster' to hen ratio of 1:10 that is often cited is primarily for fertility efficiency in commercial breeding facilities.
It doesn't mean that if a cockbird has 10 hens that he won't abuse or over mate them.
Many breeders keep pairs, trios, quads, etc
It all depends on the temperaments of the cock and hens and sometimes housing provided.
Backyard flocks can achieve good fertility with a larger ratio.

 

[ChickenKiera]

How old are these birds, in weeks?
They can possibly be injured if cockerel doesn't have good technique.
Multiple males can make them all behave at their worst...not sure if you have one or more.

What are your long term goals for keeping chickens?
Unless you want to hatch out more chicks in the future, you don't need any males.

The 'rooster' to hen ratio of 1:10 that is often cited is primarily for fertility efficiency in commercial breeding facilities.
It doesn't mean that if a cockbird has 10 hens that he won't abuse or over mate them.
Many breeders keep pairs, trios, quads, etc
It all depends on the temperaments of the cock and hens and sometimes housing provided.
Backyard flocks can achieve good fertility with a larger ratio.

The cockerels are about 20 weeks old and the hens are about 23 weeks old. We have 2 roosters and about 40 hens so the ratio to roosters and hens are ok. We are thinking about keeping the roosters forever with the hens as like a security guard. One of the roosters is a barred rock (which I have read that they have a good temperament) but I don’t know what the breed of the other rooster is ( I will make another thread based on that)

 

[aart]

The cockerels are about the same size as the hens but I’m worried that he will injure them

Pullets may sound like they are being 'hurt'....
.....but unless they are bleeding, or pinned down and beaten unmercilessly or constantly being chased.....just let them work it out.