Is his behavior normal?

[KikiDeAnime]

I recently had to separate our Bantam Polish from the main flock because our cockerel and one of the pullets were losing their head feathers. I put them in our baby chicken coop as they're not too big for it and it has plenty of room for them to walk around in the run. I also put our other pullet in with them even though her head is full of beautiful feathers because she's bonded to them as they all grew up together.

Anyway, I've noticed that our cockerel will pace around in the coop run all day and will only stop when I put food and fresh water out. The coop that they're in is inside the huge chicken yard so he can still see his other ladies.
Earlier today he nearly hurt himself because I stuck my hand in to grab the water container and he started freaking out thinking I was going to grab him so he tried to push himself away from me as far as he could.
The pullets don't actually care that they're in there and have been really calm since I put them in there. I also didn't realize how small they looked compared to him.

Is his behavior normal?
What should I do or put in to help keep him calm while he's in there?

This is the only semi-recent photo I have him

 

[AllenK RGV]

Sounds very normal, my roo's do not like me close to them at all, but I will phone a friend.... @aart if you look at the Texas thread a couple of us do shave the heads of our Silkie/Polish chicken as that improves their chicken behavior.

Being able to see is apparently important for them.

 

[KikiDeAnime]

Sounds very normal, my roo's do not like me close to them at all, but I will phone a friend.... @aart if you look at the Texas thread a couple of us do shave the heads of our Silkie/Polish chicken as that improves their chicken behavior.

I'm not worried about him not liking me. I was asking about his pacing behavior.....

 

[AllenK RGV]

I'm not worried about him not liking me. I was asking about his pacing behavior.....

Trim his head so he can see, then see if that worried behavior continues is my advice. I just know how our silkies are.

They mellow out after a fresh haircut.

 

[aart]

@aart if you look at the Texas thread a couple of us do shave the heads of our Silkie/Polish chicken

Huh, who me?

 

[AllenK RGV]

Huh, who me?

You are just the most resourceful chicken keeper I know. I'm not trying to drag you into anything controversial.

My wife and I are firm believers in trimming the roosters faces, they do so much better behaviorally. Trust me I wouldn't do this without assistance/support.

 

[aart]

I was confused as to the reference about trimming silkies and polish.
Agrees to the fact that they can't see well an cause some neurosis'.

As to the cockerels pacing...
... you moved him(or his pen mates) to a different pen?
He doesn't like the change I guess.
Time may calm him.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Mine tolerate being locked in their run all day. I do not know how different the baby run is from their normal pen, my birds would do ok with it. To tell the truth silkies aren't that smart. Polish must be different.

We did wrangle them in for the night! That is always an accomplishment. I even had one rooster hiding in tall grass thinking I couldn't see him. What is up with these birds?