Icelandic Chickens

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Thank you NAF, I did recall that post and thought since they were submitting/squatting & not squawking it was ok. But I probably don't have the knowledge to know if it's a forced submission or not. I know it doesn't particularly look like fun. I have been on the lookout for signs of wear and have not seen any but it sounds like there could be worse damage than I even imagined. I guess I need to do something w him ASAP. I may re-think the free ranging also, I liked the fact that he kept an eye out & saw him alert to hawks several times. Sorry for all the amateur questions, I really do appreciate the wealth of knowledge you have.
 
Your cockerel may turn out to be a great flock leader. The problem is getting them through the first two years when their hormones are raging, especially in spring and summer. Are the pullets laying yet? Do you have any older hens that you could leave the cockerel with and keep the pullets separated until they are older?
 
They have all been laying for 2 weeks. 1 was laying 1 month prior (4 months of age) but stopped and has started back again. The eggs I hatched this March are my first experience w chickens so I don't have anyone older for him. The vet said to keep them seperate & maybe just let them together every once in a while. It would certainly give the girls a break but I would think he would just be harder on them when he was around?? Maybe thats not possible. I thought you were never supposed to keep 1 chicken by themselves. What would that do to him for extended periods of time? I was thinking about trying to let him out of the coop but not the hens during the day while Im at work (not sure if I could make that happen on a consistent basis or not) so he could see them & be near them but not get at them. He would have the full run of the place but I would let them all out in the evening & then lock them up together at night. I'm not sure how they would all act. He is very protective over them and don't know if that would cause behavior problems or not & would he just mate them at night?? I'm not sure how much activity goes on in there... it doesn't look like any but I could be wrong. I also don't know if he would freeze to death if he was by himself in the winter (day or night). I have a few months before that happens but itll be here soon enough.
I honestly thought the worst problem w a rooster was pulled feathers which could be serious if allowed to continue. I didn't realize he could be cause broken bones and even stress related health problems.
 
I'm sorry to say but we lost her last night. Here is a pic of her @ 2 months old. She got more brown as she got older & had a floppy red comb. I miss her and am terribly sorry I wasn't able to help her.
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