Hen or Rooster?

[Peppercorngal]

My husband grabs a few in the morning and throws them in the coop (Thunderdome). My chickens aren't free roaming. Too many coyotes here.

I can relate somewhat. We had to put up a fence for our "free range area" because during the day coyotes were rushing in from the woods, grabbing a chicken and rushing back out. During the day the fence stops them and at night they are contained in a enclosed run and coop. Now we are also seeing Foxes on our trail cameras! Can't be too careful!

 

[Shellvegas]

Feeling depressed about Mr. Wilcox, the former Mrs. Peepers. It's been about 3 weeks and my new cockerel, Mr. Wilcox, seems to (still) want to annihilate my hens and vice versa. They are in connected but separate pens, and can see each other. Their communication back and forth sounds...not friendly. This morning I thought I'd take one of my tougher hens, a Rhode Island Red (Poppy), into his pen for a supervised visit. It's a very large pen and there are lots of escape routes and things to jump on. Mr. Wilcox immediately ran towards Poppy and pecked her. His feathers were puffed (he's already twice her size) and he looked to be ready for a death match. Poppy wasn't having it and she attacked. The rest was a blur of feathers and claws. I had a hard time getting in there to grab Poppy. So, any ideas? Should I go one hen at a time and maybe he finds one he likes? Or should I mix them all at once? Or just leave it for another few weeks? (or take his punk @#$% back to the pound?).

 

[aart]

or take his punk @#$% back to the pound?

Probably should have done that 3 weeks ago(and I actually thought you were going to)

 

[Mrs. K]

Well I would put up hideouts, roosts, and clutter, then I would put them all together. There will be a couple of dust ups, but mine have all been in love by morning. Chicken romance is not based on being nice. He is probably very frustrated in the see no touch set up. Put them all together and get it over with. Do not separate them, unless there is blood. Each time you do, it does not get better, it is a start over.

Mrs K

 

[Shellvegas]

Probably should have done that 3 weeks ago(and I actually thought you were going to)

I like to give everyone and everything a chance before I chuck em out.

 

[Shellvegas]

Well I would put up hideouts, roosts, and clutter, then I would put them all together. There will be a couple of dust ups, but mine have all been in love by morning. Chicken romance is not based on being nice. He is probably very frustrated in the see no touch set up. Put them all together and get it over with. Do not separate them, unless there is blood. Each time you do, it does not get better, it is a start over.

Mrs K

Ok, this evening I will see what happens. Thanks!