Having Big Rooster Problems...help!

Get rid of the rooster.

 

Sounds like he seriously needs a time out, as in separated from the girls. Don't pull them out, pull him out. There's an opening at Camp Kenmore.

 

Quote: It took me a second, lol, but I got it.

 

I agree! Lock him up or break his neck, do you really need a rooster, or peace and quiet, your choice..

 

Can't you keep the youngsters seperate until they are big enough to fight back? I have 9 that are 3 months younger than the main flock and we still have them seperate from the others. Might let them out this weekend as they are 3 months old now and look like they can handle themselves

 

Quote:Good Idea, Branston. Keep him away till they can fight back!

 

Remove the rooster until the pullets mature. What is your total number of pullets/hens?

 

I had a rooster that was doing that to my polish pullet. She would hide her head in a corner and just let him be brutal to her. He'd stand on her back when she was stuck in a corner if he couldn't get at her. I try not to humanize my chickens, but it was so sad to see! It really upset the kids, too. We found the polish stuck half way under a bale of straw the other day- she couldn't get out on her own. That was the last straw.

My other roo was able to mate with the hens without any drama like that. Kids didn't mind and it seemed totally normal.

We got rid of the mean roo.......

 

Is the roo the same age as the laying hens or the youngsters? Either way, I'd keep him with the layers and move the youngsters out as they're obviously not capable of fending for themselves yet. Either that or get rid of your roo, although that doesn't guarantee that the older hens won't rough up the younger ones once he's gone (if they haven't already).

I'd wait until all of the birds were of comparable size before combining.