Lonely Rooster

[abraga]

Thank you for the welcome. I separated him from the rest because of his size; 12-14#. 8 of the girls are 20 week old pullets and the rest are smaller ISA browns. I didn't know if his mating would hurt them.

My RIRS roo is twice the size of his hens..they are the same age 5mo. I also have cemanis..and thier roo is twice thier size. Roos are naturally bigger. I think they should be fine. Often..roos will have a favorite hen..u can usually tell who she is because she will be missing feathers. U have a pretty good amount of girls for him..so I wouldn't worry...they will keep him busy. Not all roos are rough on thier hens..just depends on the roo..

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Have you tried chicken aprons also known as chicken saddles? They help prevent feather damage to the hen's backs. Your guy is just young and randy. He will probably calm down once he matures a bit. Hope you are finding this thread helpful. Welcome and glad you decided to join in the fun.

 

[aart]

The Roo is 5-1/2 months old
The heritage pullets are 20 weeks and haven't started laying yet; but I did get 1 light colored "fart" egg yesterday
The ISA pullets are 16 weeks

There's the issue, he's a young cockerel just coming into his testosterone and being overzealous with his amorous attentions, he doesn't know to leave the non-layers alone. If he doesn't calm down keeping him separate is a viable solution,many keep those young bugger separate until the girls, and the cockerels, mature a bit more.

He is now "crying" and night.

Don't let his whining get to you, if he can't behave he needs some time out.

 

[Chickassan]

I'm with aart, wait a little bit until the girls start laying before you reunite them. If you do it now he's going to be like a brat in a candy store. Also he isn't whining because he's lonely, he's doing it because he's anticipatory. He'll learn, good things come to those who wait.

 

[aart]

Also he isn't whining because he's lonely, he's doing it because he's anticipatory.

...or because he's ticked OFF at being locked up away from his targets.
He'll get over it.

 

[Chickassan]

Definitely could be that too all I know is I've never seen lonely rooster tears.

...or because he's ticked OFF at being locked up away from his targets.
He'll get over it.

 

[Windy Lane]

Have you tried chicken aprons also known as chicken saddles? They help prevent feather damage to the hen's backs. Your guy is just young and randy. He will probably calm down once he matures a bit. Hope you are finding this thread helpful. Welcome and glad you decided to join in the fun.

I purchased hen savers; some with the wings and some without. Hoping I won't have to use.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Hope you wont have to use either. But if you need them you will be glad you already have them. Sometimes as the roo's spurs get to full legnth, he will accidentally cut the hens. As I said earlier, he is just young and randy and will hopefully learn to be more of a "gentleman" as he matures.