Cockerel is not behaving

[tempest555]

I have a flock of 18 week pullets and a cockerel. We also have 4, 8-week old pullets that we are slowly introducing to the flock. A couple times, a younger pullet has escaped the enclosure and the cockerel is ready to attack, pecking and stomping on the younger one.

I’m getting a little anxious about this behavior because I am 37 weeks pregnant and will need the younger birds completely moved in with the established flock before we leave to have the baby.

Should I just let them go at it or separate my cockerel for a couple days to teach him a lesson?

 

[DobieLover]

Should I just let them go at it or separate my cockerel for a couple days to teach him a lesson?

It's not so much to teach him a lesson because he wouldn't "get it" regardless. It would be to keep him from interfering with the integration of the pullets. I would crate him with food and water in an area with full shade and allow the pullets to intermingle. Make sure you have lots of things to jump up on to perch and to hide behind and multiple food and water stations before you allow them to interact. Leave the cockerel crated for at least a week during this time while the girls get to know each other and establish their pecking order.
They will remain as two sub-flocks for some time but they will become a more cohesive flock when they all hit POL.

 

[BlueBaby]

I agree with @DobieLover as it being the best thing to do.