Help for a Bullied Rooster

[VTBobCat]

I recently added 2 roosters to my existing flock of 16 full-sized hens. The girls are 23 weeks old. One of the roosters (Buddy, a bantam cochin) is about 1 year old. The other (Red, a young NH red) is about 3 months. I'm adding their names in here just to make it easier to follow. I typically just call them "the roosters". Within a few days of being integrated into the existing flock, Buddy quickly moved his way up to the top of the order (despite the fact that he is half the size of the ladies!). Red, however, has really struggled. As he is a few months younger, he is not quite as filled out as the hens. He matches their height, but not their weight. He was raised with Buddy so they get along fine, but the girls want nothing to do with Red. It doesn't matter if he is eating, grazing, trying to go to bed... the girls just won't leave him alone. Not all the girls, but really just a group of 3 or so Speckled Sussex. Even when he's just trying to get into the coop at night, he jumps in and the sussex' will sometimes just chase him right back out. I have not noticed any crazy fighting, though he has a couple of small spots on his comb - nothing major. I'm hoping as he matures, he will make his way up the ladder more - at last enough so that he is not picked on so much. Do you have experience with a cockerel on the bottom of the order? I know there isn't much I can do here for him other than hope that the ladies eventually let him be. Should I attempt to rehome him? Or will he grow into himself and start standing up for himself more?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

As long as he can get away he will be fine. He will learn some respect. In a few months they may be running from him, though my bantam cochins are feisty, so yours may be chasing your bigger boy too by next spring.

 

[VTBobCat]

Thanks. The one who is having issues is not a bantam, but a young NH red. He will end up bigger than the rest in time and I'm hoping he starts standing up for himself as he reaches maturity. My bantam is actually the one who has no issues at all.

The NH red is good during the day as they are all either free ranged or in our 700 sq. ft. run, so he has plenty of opportunities to hide from the mean old ladies. I'm more concerned with nighttime as they are locked in their coop then. They have an 80 sq. ft. coop, but those sussex ladies can be so rude. Luckily, the little guy has found one of the window sills to be a perfect place to wait for me to let them out. I just hope he doesn't have to wait up in the window every morning for the rest of his life.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It will all work out eventually. The bantam cochin may still remain the head rooster. My bantam cochin boy are all feisty.

 

[aart]

(Red, a young NH red) is about 3 months

He's a baby, not even sexually 'mature', let alone mature.
It's basically a single bird integration, because the older male is mature and took charge.
Not sure why you took 2 males, maybe a package deal?

I just hope he doesn't have to wait up in the window every morning for the rest of his life.

Nope, just until he's older, maybe a couple more months.
Might put up another roost for him.
Of course once Red starts the hormone flow here soon, Buddy may no longer be so complacent of a 'Buddy'.

 

[VTBobCat]

Not sure why you took 2 males, maybe a package deal?

Yep - package deal. Plus I plan on adding about 5-10 more hens and I was worried that would be too overwhelming for just 1 rooster.

Might put up another roost for him.

Excellent idea - I am planning on building a temporary one this afternoon.

Of course once Red starts the hormone flow here soon, Buddy may no longer be so complacent of a 'Buddy'.

Agreed, but I'm really hoping they manage to stay tolerant of each other.

 

[Chickassan]

Lol,he's not being bullied your hens still register him as a chick so they aren't tolerant. He will grow some machismo in a month or two. I hope your boys get along even with the additional hens just know the hens pick a rooster not the other way around and if someone has no hens or way less hens it could get interesting.

 

[VTBobCat]

Lol,he's not being bullied your hens still register him as a chick so they aren't tolerant. He will grow some machismo in a month or two. I hope your boys get along even with the additional hens just know the hens pick a rooster not the other way around and if someone has no hens or way less hens it could get interesting.

I know he's not technically being bullied, but it is the easiest way to describe it. Some of the ladies are tolerant of him, but there is a group that just won't let him be. In all honestly, I think all chickens are just natural bullies. They're more cliquey than middle school girls

As for the 2 boys getting along later, I'm just hoping it works out. If it doesn't, I will find him another home. But again, I'm keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed! I will even braid my hair to add more "lucky" crosses if I have to!

 

[Chickassan]

Lol I know, my heart breaks for my young fellas when they're turned out with the old battlaxe hens.

I know he's not technically being bullied, but it is the easiest way to describe it. Some of the ladies are tolerant of him, but there is a group that just won't let him be. In all honestly, I think all chickens are just natural bullies. They're more cliquey than middle school girls

As for the 2 boys getting along later, I'm just hoping it works out. If it doesn't, I will find him another home. But again, I'm keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed! I will even braid my hair to add more "lucky" crosses if I have to!

 

[aart]

In all honestly, I think all chickens are just natural bullies. They're more cliquey than middle school girls

Indeed!..or HS girls or even (non)grown(up) women.