Is it normal for roo to chase young pullets at times?

[wendy2012]

So I've noticed my rooster can give pecks when eating food. Pulllets know to stay away for a little bit and then eat when he don't notice. He can peck at them at times while they are doing their own thing. I've seen him chase them and pullets run away I guess to not be pecked. He is a 6 month old rooster and they are about 2 months old. I have not seen him draw out blood just gives them a fast peck if he dont like something or chase them at times. I do love that he can give me a cackle when something isn't right like a cat prowling their area once twice. He is a silkie and my girls are cherry eggers. Should I separate him? Not sure. I do see pullets run away and not sure where else to go to get away. He does stop after running across run and usually pullets stays away from him. There are times they can all be in same area and not disturb each other. But this peck and chase can happen a few times during throughout day.

 

[azygous]

He could be doing this to discipline them for quarreling with each other. That would be in his job description - breaking up fights and chastising the guilty party. Or he could be up to some selfish mischief - bullying the youngsters for sport. That would be typical of a young cockerel.

Since he's just six months old, he likely doesn't have the maturity to be a peace keeper yet, so he's likely chasing the pullets for sport. He needs for you to discipline him.

 

[sourland]

If he were mine, he would be separated from the pullets until they begin to lay.

 

[wendy2012]

He could be doing this to discipline them for quarreling with each other. That would be in his job description - breaking up fights and chastising the guilty party. Or he could be up to some selfish mischief - bullying the youngsters for sport. That would be typical of a young cockerel.

Since he's just six months old, he likely doesn't have the maturity to be a peace keeper yet, so he's likely chasing the pullets for sport. He needs for you to discipline him.

How do you recommend I discipline him? Someone says separate. Any other methods?

 

[azygous]

When a mature rooster is disciplining a cockerel whose hormones are outpacing his good judgement, he chases the scamp around the yard. When disciplining a chicken for bad behavior, it works best to mimic how chickens discipline one another, so run the scamp around the yard when he misbehaves.

Be aware that this may only be the beginning. You would do well to read some of the excellent cockerel training tutorials here to prepare yourself in the event this fellow gets out of line with you. In that case, you would immobilize him until he calms down, then let him go. Cockerels need boundaries as dogs do. Be prepared.