I need your good advice

[CrazyChickenLady 285]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Rooster's are ultimately no protection from most predators in my opinion.. they're just front line sacrifices. A head hen can make predator warnings.

For me.. I keep a stag pen as sometimes the boys need a little time to mature. I would keep him in "jail" but still in sight where they can still interact.. he can treat call, serenade, and drop wing shuffle dance.. basically court the ladies, learn some manners and earn their favor even more in the long run. Maybe even allow full visitation one day a week or something to that effect. Experiment some, and see what works for you.

His immaturity along with the extended daylight hours probably have his hormones raging.

Not all boys will engage in over mating like this. I've kept plenty of smaller flocks and even multiple roosters (2-4 ratio). Some will over mate a favorite regardless of so called correct ratios.

If he's as good with people and valuable to the hens as he sounds then a little maturing time is worth it.. I wouldn't allow my hens or any bird to be brutalized like that under the guise of something worse MIGHT happen.. allow them to recover some also.

The other option if you're sure HE is what keeps predators at bay.. consider putting the girls in a secured run during this time out from him instead of free ranging.. while I prefer free ranging especially when weather is perfect.. I do go on lock down during times of high predator load.

Maybe integrate them all back when the new pullets are ready to go in.

For me, it's not about punishing the boy but protecting the ladies. And if he's harming them even unintentionally that's no protection at all. Just my 2 cents.

All birds are individuals and all flock dynamics are quiet dynamic. I can't tell you what is the right thing over all for you and your flock but I can say I don't allow it in my flock and it's cause for dinner if continued.

Best wishes!

Thank you for your words of wisdom. I appreciate the advice! He IS a good rooster but he IS harming them albeit unintentionally. I like your idea of allowing them some time together but limiting the amount of contact. That makes sense to me. Although I had not intended on having a rooster, I do think he is worth investing some time and energy into. Thank you again for the feedback.

 

[CrazyChickenLady 285]

Can you do a look but no touch run beside him with the new pullets for a few weeks? When will they be ready to lay?

This is the plan. It is in construction now but I don't expect any eggs from the pullets before September or possibly October. It will be a little while before they can integrate

 

[Mrs. K]

Barebacked chickens bother people more than they bother chickens. How do the chickens act? Are they right next to him most of the time? Do they run and hide away from him, stay up on perches, or hide out in nests trying to get away from him.

If they love him, keep him. A lot of time, it will get better.

If they hate him, are not eating well, hiding most of the time, cull him.

To me, roosters are just what they are, training has very limited effect. If the behavior is causing problems, remove the rooster.

Mrs K

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

This is the plan. It is in construction now but I don't expect any eggs from the pullets before September or possibly October. It will be a little while before they can integrate

I get it! Jail bait girls

 

[CrazyChickenLady 285]

Barebacked chickens bother people more than they bother chickens. How do the chickens act? Are they right next to him most of the time? Do they run and hide away from him, stay up on perches, or hide out in nests trying to get away from him.

If they love him, keep him. A lot of time, it will get better.

If they hate him, are not eating well, hiding most of the time, cull him.

To me, roosters are just what they are, training has very limited effect. If the behavior is causing problems, remove the rooster.

Mrs K

Thank you for your thoughtful reply Mrs K. Your insight was invaluable! Keeping him in rooster jail was not about ‘training’ him so much as it was about protecting the girls. That being said, your comment about the girls hanging around him was spot on. They go wherever he goes, so it became apparent to me that the loss of the feathers probably bothered me more than it bothered the girls. Another fellow had also suggested that I allow them some ‘supervised visitation.’ Between your insight, and his suggestion I decided to let him out of the coop for a little while to join the girls in the yard. You could have knocked me down with a feather but he came out humbled and with much better manners!!
I will be keeping an eye on him to make sure he doesn’t go back to being ‘too big for his britches.’
I cannot thank everyone enough for the valuable insights and advice! All of your comments have been greatly appreciated!