Flock dynamic if I remove the Cockerel

[Muser]

I have a New Hampshire Red style Rooster that's just coming up on a year old, I raised him from a chick, but he's tried a few times to flog my partner and recently he's started to try and flog me too, but his spurs aren't sharp thankfully as he's only a year old. Despite these negatives, I have some positives for him too. He's gentle with his hens, he never draws any blood when mating and doesn't relentlessly chase them. He trills for food for the ladies and waits for them to eat first, looks out for predators, he takes his job very seriously. I can pick him up without him getting angry and I can get him to snooze on my lap when he's chill. He attacks me only when I'm facing away from him or carrying the coop tray, he's a coward when he does attack and doesn't challenge me when I turn around (yet). I usually pick him up for a couple of minutes, tell him he's an idiot and place him back down, he then walks away.

I'm worried that if he keeps escalating this aggression I might have to cull him. What will this do to the flock dynamic? Will the head hen likely become a bully? Will they be more nervous free ranging? I'm new to this chicken socialisation and I'm worried if I upset the dynamics, I may end up with bigger problems for my flock. I've tried treats, and gently pinning him (when he's being an idiot) and handling him, but he's not changed a bit. Spring has made him extra spicy and I'm saddened to have to keep my eye on him when interacting with my gorgeously tame hens.

If you wonderful lot have any advice on what you would do, what you have done or your experiences, I would love to hear them! Thanks

 

[nuthatched]

They don't need him, I'd rehome him will full disclosure. There are many good roosters that can't be kept for whatever reason and human aggression can be passed to chicks.

 

[sourland]

I'd carry a switch/broom/fly swatter to deter his attempts. It may be a maturing phase or it may escalate. If it escalates, I'd cull him from the flock. Flock dynamics may not change all that much.

 

[Mrs. K]

In three days after you cull, you and the hens are going to wonder what took you so long. Most of us, hesitate too long to keep a rooster like this. Making excuses for him, and just wishing he would be nice.

At a year, the only changing he will make is to become more and more aggressive, he will be heavier and become better at it. Beware if you have small children, although anyone can be seriously injured. Not too lone ago, a man posted on getting stitches near HIS EYE.

If you are new to this, and just getting started, I am assuming that he was a flock mate, often times those birds do not turn out. Not always, but often.

If you want a rooster, the best plan is to raise up chicks in a flock, the absolute best is under a broody hen. I would want at least 3-6 rooster chicks. Watch them, weigh them occasionally, and then cull them down to a good one.

If you are wanting an adult rooster now, for your dynamics and free ranging, take a look at the feed store, post there that you want a nice one. Ask at poultry clubs or 4-H groups. What would be ideal, is a rooster raised up in a multi-generational flock, that has free ranged in similar country, and has been so dang nice, that people who would and could cull him has not. THAT is a good rooster to get.

Just remove the bad one, let the good one loose, and the girls will be in love by morning. They really have almost no loyalty to a rooster.

Mrs K

 

[FrostRanger]

An all hen flock will be fine. Many of us, myself included have all hen flocks, and a good head hen will take over many of a rooster's duties. I don't free range much, but they've never been shy about free ranging and always head out enthusiastically. Sad story, but shows how amazing a good head hen can be, about a month ago around the time i was working on some improvements to the coop/run, i got quite sick and had to put that on hold. Unfortunately, one day they had escaped their run and my neighbor's loose dogs (animal control thankfully came and got them after this) came and attacked them. Parsley managed to get away but they got Thyme. I later saw when I was reviewing my security camera footage that Thyme saved Parsley by running out from cover and distracting the dogs. She was absolubtely the best head hen i could have hoped for, very sweet and brave and kept ms. Cranky herself, Parsley in line without being a bully herself. Roosters can be amazing but don't underestimate a good head hen either

 

[Muser]

Well, I went out to the garden about an hour ago, and he full on relentlessly attacked me, really vicious! I held my ground and faced him at all times without running, but he had me held up in the walk-in-run with the girls, thank you all, he's getting a fast track ticket to freezer camp!

Thanks for your stories and experiences, this has really helped my mind be at ease! <3

 

[Muser]

After a few weeks of the Cockerel not being around, I can honestly say Mrs. K was right. I haven't missed him, I can walk freely around the yard without being stalked or flogged or watched constantly, even the girls seem like they can just chill out and relax better. They weren't bothered and my top hen tidbits for the others and makes sure all the girls go into bed in the night like she was born to take control. Thanks for the advice all, you were correct

 

[PopoMyers]

After a few weeks of the Cockerel not being around, I can honestly say Mrs. K was right. I haven't missed him, I can walk freely around the yard without being stalked or flogged or watched constantly, even the girls seem like they can just chill out and relax better. They weren't bothered and my top hen tidbits for the others and makes sure all the girls go into bed in the night like she was born to take control. Thanks for the advice all, you were correct

Isn't it a bit more relaxing instead of having to armor up just to go outside? Trash can lids for a shield, and a rake. Had a similar experience as well. First one was mis-sexed, was a mean cockerel who suddenly died. Second was a broody raised one that got rehomed. Third was his broodmate, he was beautiful and kind, but tore up the favorites hens' back feathers from mating. He was killed by a coon or weasel.

No more roos for this chick.

 

[McChooky]

I'm hoping one of my austraulorp's or sapphire gems will go broody and give me chicks sometime this year. I have a good rooster but want my hens to raise my next one. This ones only a year old so they have a while

 

[Folly's place]

We have 'been there, done that' and only keep nice roosters. I like having them, but only the good ones.
Any breed cockerel can be either a winner or not, but hatchery type RIRs have a bad reputation.
As usual, @Mrs. K has excellent advice!
We raise either straight run hatchery chicks, or broody raised chicks with our adults, and sort out the cockerels as they mature.
And we have zero tolerance for bad behavior! No hope that a jerk youngster will 'mature out of it' either.
Mary