grumpy rooster

[backyardmomma3]

Iam new to the whole backyard farming thing,and ive already learned a lot just from reading posts on this page,aswell as talking with other farmers and just doing my homework before getting into it..
I currently have a mixed flock at the moment(bought dual purpose birds from local hatchery) and 2 turkeys(male and female)..
Ive always been one for heritage breeds,as the whole point of doing this is to raise chickens that are healthy,happy,and of good quality for my family and to stay away from mass farmed poultry(terrible conditons those poor birds live in)so ive recently acquired a beautiful Buff Orpington rooster(Colonal Sanders..lol) and will be picking up 5 Buff Orpington hens this coming weekend, my plan is to eventually have only heritage birds,however my girls I have right now(8 weeks) are perfectly fine with our Roo,he however is very VERY pecky with them(hes only 9 weeks), he pecks them hard on their backs everytime they go to eat,I don't know if this is natural or if its because he was so low on the totem pole at the other farm that he was often last to eat,and was bullied by the other roosters..
Its only been a few days since weve had him,and besides the pecking of my girls,and the show down with my one turkey(its how I actually found out I had a male and female turkey..lol) everything is fine...So is it just natural or is it because of his lower status at the other farm?
Everyday I take organic fruit/veggies to the run for my birds and they usually all get along,making room for eachother,but everytime one of my girls goes to eat and my Roo is close he'll peck them on the back,and hard it seems cuz my girls will yelp and run off..

 

[sourland]

Normal chicken social behavior. Everything will mellow out as they mature. As long as blood is not being drawn, there is nothing to worry about.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

I have had to spread out treat type food so all could get in and get some, even with just hens in the flock. Your young roo should settle down once pecking order is resolved. With that said, pecking order always starts over when a new chicken is added to the flock, especially if it is another roo. Good luck

 

[rjohns39]

This could be caused by a variety of things and he could just be a jerk, it happens As a general rule, the "good" roo will ensure his girls get to eat first. In my flock, my roo's will try to chase away the babies and turkeys until his girls get to eat; however, it never fails, he'll peck on a turkey hen and the turkey tom will put him back in line. As sourland said, just keep an eye on it and let them work it out. Nothing really there to worry about just yet.

Edited to add: I also use multiple feeders and spread treats around so all get a shot. I'm also known for hand feeding those that come up short--but that will generally get them pecked too.

 

[backyardmomma3]

I have had to spread out treat type food so all coulds get in and get some, even with just hens in the flock. Your young roo should settle down once pecking order is resolved. With that said, pecking order always starts over when a new chicken is added to the flock, especially if it is another roo. Good luck

I don't plan on getting another roo(unless by chance things don't work out with Colonal Sanders),and I know I have to slowly introduce my hens ill be getting into flock because of the pecking order,i just hope that the Colonal gets over his grumpy stage ,hes a Buff Orpington which is known for being very calm and docile and great for beginners at the backyard farming...Just hope I didn't make the wrong decision about getting a rooster..But my hopes are to eventually have my hens hatch their own chicks and not need to buy from a hatchery.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Glad you have and can keep a roo, he will be your best asset for protection and reproduction. Let him settle down and take his rightful place in the flock. I think all will be fine in the end, just make sure he is not drawing blood as he establishes himself.

 

[backyardmomma3]

Glad you have and can keep a roo, he will be your best asset for protection and reproduction. Let him settle down and take his rightful place in the flock. I think all will be fine in the end, just make sure he is not drawing blood as he establishes himself.

great thank you...and yes ive been checking my girls and no blood..

 

[aart]

with our Roo,he however is very VERY pecky with them(hes only 9 weeks),

Its only been a few days since weve had him

He's very young, the real show won't start until he's about 16 weeks old....
.....and a few days is not long enough for him to actually be integrated with the existing birds.

FYI.....semantics, maybe, but can be important communication terms when discussing chicken behavior.
Female chickens are called pullets until one year of age, then they are called hens.
Male chickens are called cockerels until one year of age, then they are called cocks(or cockbirds or roosters).
Age in weeks is also a good thing to note.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Aart, thanks, those are not terms we see used on this site very often, but are very important when discussing chickens. We should all be more careful with the terminology we use, so as to be clear as to what we are actually discussing and/or saying. Thank you again.

 

[backyardmomma3]

He's very young, the real show won't start until he's about 16 weeks old....
.....and a few days is not long enough for him to actually be integrated with the existing birds.

FYI.....semantics, maybe, but can be important communication terms when discussing chicken behavior.
Female chickens are called pullets until one year of age, then they are called hens.
Male chickens are called cockerels until one year of age, then they are called cocks(or cockbirds or roosters).
Age in weeks is also a good thing to note.

Ive referred to my pullets as My Girls,and to the Hens I will be getting ive called them Hens because they are..Also I didn't intergrate him in with my pullets right away,it was a slow thing done over a 2 day period which according to the farmer I got him from and articles on this forum 2 days was sufficient...Its only been a few days since weve had him in the coop with my pullets...and I plan on doing the same process with my hens I will be getting this weekend(instead of 2 days it will be dependant on behavior)..
As for my cockerel(colonal Sanders) there are NO other males in my flock besides my one turkey(which as I said I didn't even know he was male until he started to show down),anyways..my Cockeral is doing just fine today,his behavior was never rough or bothersome to begin with I was simply inquiring if him pecking my pullets was normal..
I do apologize if I upset anyone for not using correct terminology on my post!