Cockerel Suddenly Aggressive with Hens

[HollyWoozle]

Thanks Cryss!

 

[DobieLover]

BYC HAS SO MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN ON HERE FOR YEARS JUST WANTING TO CHAT LIKE SOCIAL MEDIA BUT THEY DONT SEEM TO PROGRESS OR LEARN ANYTHING ABOUT CHICKENS FLOCK DYNAMICS LETS JUST CHAT
SEND THAT AGGRESSIVE ROOSTER TO FREEZER CAMP EVEN THOUGH HES NOT FULL GROWN AND LEAVE YOUR HENS WITHOUT A MATE
THEN HATCH A BUNCH MORE ROOSTERS AND MOVE TO NYC AND GET CROW CALLERS ON ALL OF THEM
SKIPPER81 OUT

Not looking to start a raging battle here but I think this comment is a bit narrow sighted. Most of the folks who have been here for years have terrific insight and offer it to us newbies. I have been learning from them and my flock for over 6 months now and find that hands down, the folks who remind us constantly that we are dealing with chickens (not people or dogs or what have you) are the ones who turn out to be correct most of the time.
I agree that a young cockerel should be given the chance to come around and prove himself as my oft used phrase "testosterone poisoning" is a real disease! But that is dependent on who will have to deal with the boy. I wouldn't want a child or other person unable to recognize a threat from a cockerel to be injured or otherwise traumatized.
The OP is looking for suggestions and advice. At the end of the day, she will read what is posted, try a few or many things and make her own informed choices based on the outcome.

 

[Shadrach]

I have no intention of doing anything rash with or to the cockerel, I just wanted to know if this was common behaviour or if something is wrong and I can solve it (for example this thread has made me realise that our feeding regime might be causing an issue). I like having Olaf and have always felt he knows what to do best, but several people have commented on his sudden change in behaviour towards the hens so I thought it best to ask opinions.

Thanks for your thoughts. Their staple food is 16% protein but their diet is supplemented with extras as it goes, things like scrambled egg sometimes, leftover cat food, sunflower seeds and sometimes treats, although not much and not everyday (and only in the afternoons). I understand that corn shouldn't replace their main feed but had read various sources suggesting it is a good addition on cold days, fed later in the day. It is recommended by the British Hen Welfare Trust here in the UK (who I got the hens from) but perhaps I should reconsider this in light of what you have said.

The chickens range a good sized area so do also pick up worms and insects. We had taken to putting out food regularly rather than leaving it out as it seems to encourage rats, but perhaps we could make some feeding stations and take leftover food up over night.

ETA: I have tried to give more high protein additions at times when they are moulting/regrowing but maybe not enough!

I've lost track a bit.
Can you leave food out 24/7?

 

[HollyWoozle]

Shadrach, yes, we can do that. My parents (they are family chickens, not purely mine) used to leave feeders out all the time (inside at night) but we had a rat problem. I had read some views that you should only feed as much as they would eat, so we took the feeders up and have been feeding them as I mentioned earlier. It seems this was an error! I think we can go back to how we did it before but perhaps just take up the food at night when the chickens have gone to roost?

 

[HollyWoozle]

Olaf says thanks for all the help by the way (pic from summer). And that's a hen behind him and not an extra side tail.

 

[Shadrach]

Shadrach, yes, we can do that. My parents (they are family chickens, not purely mine) used to leave feeders out all the time (inside at night) but we had a rat problem. I had read some views that you should only feed as much as they would eat, so we took the feeders up and have been feeding them as I mentioned earlier. It seems this was an error! I think we can go back to how we did it before but perhaps just take up the food at night when the chickens have gone to roost?

That's all good then. I can't leave food down here unfortunately. Everything eats chicken food as well as chickens it seems.

 

[Shadrach]

View attachment 1585511

Olaf says thanks for all the help by the way (pic from summer). And that's a hen behind him and not an extra side tail.

That looks very English and he's a handsom chap.

 

[Mosey2003]

He was only a cockerel until he turned one, he's a cock now Or rooster, if you prefer.

I agree with taking the food up at night at least. I only feed mine the amount they'll eat in a day, but I've always done it that way, so nothing has changed for them.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Shadrach, yes, we can do that. My parents (they are family chickens, not purely mine) used to leave feeders out all the time (inside at night) but we had a rat problem. I had read some views that you should only feed as much as they would eat, so we took the feeders up and have been feeding them as I mentioned earlier. It seems this was an error! I think we can go back to how we did it before but perhaps just take up the food at night when the chickens have gone to roost?

Make feed available free choice during waking hours and just take up the food at night.
This is what I do, it's not a problem, just gather the feed containers when you lock your flock up at night.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I would honestly let him work out his relationship with the hens they all know what there doing
Some men come home from work with an attitude and some come home with roses but we no reason to try to counsel a rooster
Those are his girls not yours and he may have a plan

His plan is to become a flock rooster and I am sure that he understands more about that job description than you or I ever will. But remember that a cockerel is not necessarily the ubber chicken in the flock, usually a more mature hen is the top chicken until the rooster is fully mature. Once he becomes an adult then it is natural for him to assume the role of the top hen. The process of assuming that role is not a pretty one.