Is it normal for roosters to feed the hens?

[Deblett]

Thank you, I hoped that was just the case as I do rather like him.

 

[aart]

But all treats are taken by him and he absolutely won't let the hens have any and gets very aggressive towards them if they try to sneak some. Is this abnormal or is it because he is still a juvenile? He is not aggressive towards them at any other time.

Hmmm...that would be in the 'not cool' column. He should not be chasing them away for food, even if he's not tid-bitting them.
Do you have other chickens?

 

[Shadrach]

I know this is a pretty old thread but you all talk about the Rooster giving treats to the girls but my Rooster is totally selfish. I got 2 hens and a Roo when they were 10 weeks old, all from same clutch, they are now about 20 weeks, combs have turned red, no eggs yet and no obvious sign of mating yet. But all treats are taken by him and he absolutely won't let the hens have any and gets very aggressive towards them if they try to sneak some. Is this abnormal or is it because he is still a juvenile? He is not aggressive towards them at any other time.

20 weeks is still young. The behaviour is because he's a juvenile.
Roosters don't feed hens because they're nice guys, they do it so they get to mate with the hens.
If your hens are only just getting ready to lay, there is no incentive for your rooster to feed them.

 

[Deblett]

Aart, no, I just have the 3 at the moment. But as per other reply's, it sounds like he is just still young and greedy!! Thank you all, I will wait and see how he matures.

 

[aart]

Aart, no, I just have the 3 at the moment. But as per other reply's, it sounds like he is just still young and greedy!! Thank you all, I will wait and see how he matures.

I'd have another enclosure ready in case he over mates the girls.

they are now about 20 weeks, combs have turned red, no eggs yet and no obvious sign of mating yet.

I'm surprised he's not been trying to mate them....stealing snacks is forgivable in that case.

 

[Cthembirds]

I am new to chickens. Had them a little over a week now. They are not pets so I have been spending time trying to get them more used to me so catching one won't be a hassle. Today when I offered them a treat in my hand one hen ate and the rooster would take a bite then turn and give it to the other hens that wouldn't take food from me hand. After each of them had a bite he ate then repeated the process. If there is info already on this please point me to it. Thanks.

Hand feeding roosters doesn't mean they will become aggressive I just prefer they maintain a view of me as the big dog and keep their distance .I've had roosters take over a year to get aggressive that fed from my hand all along.I agree that their are many factors to making an aggressive roosters but believe that letting a rooster letting him loose respect for you can be one of those factors.

My rooster did this too the other day. I gave my hens a green pepper. I did not chop it up much, but the rooster started pulling pieces of the pepper off. He would drop them on the ground and the hens would eat those pieces. Lol! It was so fascinating to watch!!

 

[Chicken poppy]

I am new to chickens. Had them a little over a week now. They are not pets so I have been spending time trying to get them more used to me so catching one won't be a hassle. Today when I offered them a treat in my hand one hen ate and the rooster would take a bite then turn and give it to the other hens that wouldn't take food from me hand. After each of them had a bite he ate then repeated the process. If there is info already on this please point me to it. Thanks.

Happens to my roos all the time, its tottally normal, thats a good roo there. Mine always calls them over, but hes cried wolf so many times (lied about having food to do the wing dance and get their attention) they never beileve him anymore though lol! But he Finds grasshoppers, crickets and all that noe so he always feeds it to him. Definitely good behavior there

 

[Chicken poppy]

They are approximately 1 yr old. Once I figured out that was the cause of his crowing I have quit going over to where he can see me. I still go to check for the possibility of a predator around. Hopefully I will learn the difference in sounds eventually!

One year? Yes, thats definitely good. he probably wont change his behavior with the hens then if hes that old (And yes, dont go out there everytime he calls you) Ive done that before and it gets quite annoying, hes pretty much stopped now, if it does get to annoying crows though *which it will, we got atleast 50 a day here, starting around 4-5 AM, But of course some breeds and personalitys are less like that, it can depend. Then try to make sure theres enough food and water, theres nothing scaring them. Etc etc)