Good or bad rooster?

[athalia17]

I have a 12 week rooster that is starting to mount now. The hens are also 12 weeks. He pulls them by their feathers and they are traumatized. They are avoiding him now. He is a buff orpington and has been skittish since he was a chick. I give the hens treats and they eat out of my hand, sometimes they accidentally peck the hand, but nothing intentional. The rooster was eating out of my hand and I look away for a second and he bit my finger. This isn't a first that he has tried to bite, like when you reach for him. The rooster will come up to me and flap his wings. I walk towards him and he'll run, but not far. When we pick him up he panics and tries his hardest to get free, clawing and all. On the good side, he waits for all the hens to get in at night. Is hee going to change or just be an a ornery cuss? I have a couple roos I believe coming up that are friendly. They are blue orpingtons. Do I keep this guy around, separate him, or get rid of him? There's not much to him too bring him to the butcher. Seems like a waste of a bird. He has never been one to call the hens to him and if they are by treats, he chases them away. I'm completely new to this, but they seem like bad characteristics, except that he waits for them all to get in at night and when one is distressed (being first held, etc) he will go inspect and make a distressed noise too. Any opinions? I'm nervous to let the 5 week old babies out too if some are roosters, will he kill them? He has never tried aggressively attacking any hens besides his constant desire to mount.

 

[fshinggrl]

Wow.. I've never seen any of our accidental roosters start that this early. I raised 2 welsummer roosters from egg and they were pretty aggressive. One would charge me a couple times and at times they fought each other somewhat. The rooster we have now has NEVER EVER charged me. IF he had, he'd be gone.

My opinion.. you could try to 'change' him by carrying him around and showing him who is boss, but you say you have some more roosters coming up.. I would get rid of him. I don't have time for bad genetics (if you plan on hatching chicks) or aggressive roosters.

 

[junebuggena]

His wanting to mount the hens is not aggressive. It's normal, teenage, hormone fueled behavior. I would separate him from the girls until they are old enough and mature enough for a rooster in their flock. By 16 to 18 weeks old, they will be ready. Do you have at least 10 girls for him? Do not let 5 week old chicks near 12 week old birds. There is just too big a size difference. They will get hurt. Wait until the little ones are at least 3 months old before starting the introduction process.

 

[Mrs. K]

Really that rooster needs to go. It is not going to get better, it is going to get worse. I highly recommend only hens the first year. It lets the pulleys grow up without harassment.

 

[athalia17]

Thank you for the responses. I agree about the rooster. Hopefully by the time the little guys are old enough, it won't cause so many issues. Then I can keep my favorite. I have probably 25 hens right now. I was off, he is 13 weeks.