Disrespectful Rooster

[berryncherry]

I have one rooster that I have raised from a chick. He doesn't crow much and is the first to run away when danger comes. When mating, he would jump onto one of the hens without any warning. I've heard this could be a problem because roosters can injure the hens pretty badly if they don't do the "rooster dance" before mating. Is there any way I could fix this? Or do I have to give him away or butcher him?

 

[PioneerChicks]

Roosters jump on hens unexpectedly all the time, mostly because cockerals can't catch them if they give a warning. The rooster dance is not necessary for mating and is used to herd the hens. He is a cockerel, he'll grow out of it.

 

[berryncherry]

Will the hens get hurt in any way while doing so?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Out of the 9 males I have, only 2 dance. I think it's more that it surprises the hens. Obviously if the male is too big, he'll hurt the hens

 

[PioneerChicks]

Will the hens get hurt in any way while doing so?

When a rooster mates a hen they grab a feather or two and jump on top of them. Often times they pull the feather out. Sometimes they scratch them out. Cockerals (young roosters) loose more feathers than cocks (adult roosters).

When overmated the hens can have feathers missing on their backs. It does look painful and cold, but I believe it is the natural way of life. Just provide them with lots of space to run away from the roosters and let them live life.

 

[LaFleche]

A violent cockerel or rooster may very well inflict serious injuries, such as broken spine or hip, dislocated thighs, dislocated wings, twisted or even broken necks, broken eggs inside the chicken, more or less severe scalping, and the list goes on.

This applies even more with a very large or heavy rooster.

 

[aart]

I have one rooster that I have raised from a chick. He doesn't crow much and is the first to run away when danger comes. When mating, he would jump onto one of the hens without any warning. I've heard this could be a problem because roosters can injure the hens pretty badly if they don't do the "rooster dance" before mating. Is there any way I could fix this? Or do I have to give him away or butcher him?

How old are these birds, in months?
How many males and how many females?

Chicken mating can be alarming and it's takes some experience to know if/when to intervene.

 

[berryncherry]

The rooster is turning 6 months just today. I have 4 egg-laying hens that are about 1 year old. We also have 8 other 6 month old females(haven't laid yet).

1 male 12 females.

 

[LaFleche]

At 6 month he is still a hormonally over-agitated adolescent (cockerel) and should get the opportunity to come around.

 

[berryncherry]

yeah...he's afraid of the hens. I don't know if that's normal.