Girls won't go in run all of a sudden...

[tripletfeb]

Hi all! I have 5 pullets, one cockerel, all almost 3 months old. They have been together since the beginning. The cockerel has been sort of a bully to his ladies, chasing them around and trying to mount. Even holding them by the neck and ripping feathers out! I have put him in rooster prison for a few days and he seemed to calm down. The ladies used to love going in their run when I would open the door. But lately, only the cockerel goes out. I have tried putting treats out for them, they don't want any. If I trap them out there, they will all huddle on the ramp, waiting to go back in the coop. While the cockerel loves it out in the run. He is always digging around for goodies to eat and crowing. Could it be that they just don't want to be near him? It has been so hot here the past few weeks, highs in the 90's. They will just sit in their coop and pant. I have let them outside while he was trapped in the coop, they just huddle on the ramp again, wanting in. What could be going on? Thanks!

 

[sourland]

My gut says that the presence of the cockerel is the source of the problem.

 

[tripletfeb]

Well, I will be getting rid of the cockerel in 2 weeks. The family farm in PA won't be ready for him until then. I feel bad for my girls but I guess they will just have to deal because I don't have anywhere to put him for the 2 weeks. Thanks!

 

[rachelsflock]

Time for freezer camp...or maybe more prison time. Maybe 6 months to a year.

 

[tripletfeb]

Do you think they will go out when he is gone?

 

[lazy gardener]

Personally, I'd not subject the pullets to an other 2 weeks with this cockerel. I would remove him from their presence immediately. Find other accommodations for him, even if it means buying or borrowing a dog crate to keep him in.

When keeping animals, it's important to do what's best for the majority. And your pullets are who you need to be looking after right now.

 

[tripletfeb]

Personally, I'd not subject the pullets to an other 2 weeks with this cockerel. I would remove him from their presence immediately. Find other accommodations for him, even if it means buying or borrowing a dog crate to keep him in.

When keeping animals, it's important to do what's best for the majority. And your pullets are who you need to be looking after right now.

I was thinking of doing that, putting him in a dog crate for now, but I'm afraid he will crow all day long. And it's too hot to keep him in my garage.

 

[tripletfeb]

I borrowed a dog crate from my sister and put the cockerel in it but in the run too. I hope that will keep his crowing down, since he can still see them. I don't mind the crowing but I'm not allowed to have roosters where I live. He has food and water and a perch. The girls realized that he couldn't get to them and have been in the run for awhile now! Dust bathing and eating meal worms I put out for them. Hopefully he will be fine in there for 2 weeks, he seems really mad but I can't have him being mean.

 

[lazy gardener]

Just be sure he is shaded all the time. A small enclosed space with sunshine is a recipe for disaster.

 

[tripletfeb]

Just be sure he is shaded all the time. A small enclosed space with sunshine is a recipe for disaster.

He is shaded because he is still in the run, which has a roof on it, in shade all day. And I put him in a wire dog cage, so he has fresh air all the time. But I'm not home now and it is raining, so I might be going home to a wet bird!