How rough is your Roo?

[tnmommy]

I am sure that some "bullying" is normal with a roo mating with hens, but do they always have to grab the hens by the comb like that?
He's such a beautiful fella but I don't want him to hurt my girls

 

[Chrysolinsbirds]

Is he new to mating or an old pro picked up just for your girls? Does he draw blood? Do your hens rub in fear or socialize and submit to him? Raised together or recently introduced?

 

[marmca]

If I may join in.

I used to have a Dark Cornish Game raised with the girls that was actually kind of a gentleman when approaching hens, worst I can say is his spurs cut one hen rather badly after some time, didn't really lose feathers but spurs were a problem. He was a bully to another rooster I had meat bird, had been through a rough patch, and was very subserviant. DCG was intent on killing him so they got separated.

Of course the DCG had a hen that was also DCG, taught him manners from the start, I think that had a lot to do with how he behaved toward hens in general.
As they got older a young roo coming of age. I swear the hens were "cougars" They would crouch and make trilling noises, if older roo came by if they would break up the 'hen party' go pecking about their business. So funny to watch thier interactions.

I have a Welsummer rooster now that is just a brute. Of course he has had a lot of loss in flock. None of originals survived with him, Something got in pen and killed all the girls, I let him run loose as he was kind of freaked out by everything. Found him some new hens, that turned out to be too young for him. They were laying, just not comfortable with him. Lost those except for one that still avoids whole flock. Found some older hens that were being replaced and brought them home to keep him company. They do nest together at night, but he is selfish and brutish when it comes to breeding. Still trying to trick them into coming over like he has found some thing interesting. Had to put saddles on the ones I could catch one still about with bare back. He's moulting now so doesn't even look pretty anymore. Have 3? youngsters about a month old, coming up if I want to replace him, give him some assistance watching the girls.

5 crossbred pullets are approaching laying age. Young Orpington still playing feral bird

yes, like that.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Is he new to mating or an old pro picked up just for your girls? Does he draw blood? Do your hens rub in fear or socialize and submit to him? Raised together or recently introduced?

Agreed, all these things are important for us to know before we can help.

I currently have a gorgeous roo that I think is too rough--all my hens have bald patches on the backs of their heads. He gets to stay for the winter until my cockerels grow up a bit and are introduced to the flock (we need hawk protection), but after that I'm getting rid of him. He's not much of a dancer, and a bit too rapey for my taste.