Making decisions about Barred Rock, and Roopecca.

[Cryss]

We are building the bigger coop so that we can have a few new pullets. Over the past couple months I've learned Barred Rock, although calm and friendly enough with all humans, are not good with a mixed breed flock especially if those breeds are of a gentle nature. I want peace in my flock when I am finally able to add a few more. For this reason I have offered my 2 BR laying hens in the 'Animal's in need of free rehoming' portion. They just turned 1yo on March 6.
I'm also contemplating doing the same with Roopecca. This is breaking my heart big time. I may have to cull him. When he first became hormonal last year he would try to bite and would fluff at me. I did a lot of research and tried many methods to stop this. Finally during winter it seemed I was successful. I could walk right up to him or brush past him and he would simply follow me along with the ladies. He's not rough on the girls although there are some little signs of his activity on the girls, a small patch of "disturbed" feathers or so. However, the past week he has begun to sneak up and "bump" me. This turned to fluffing at me closer than before. Then 2 days ago he charged me. Now he sees me coming and waits at the gate. I don't even get inside and close the gateand he starts. Yesterday he charged me from behind nipping behind my knee through my jeans, then came around front and charged biting me on the inner thigh drawing blood. He continued to charge as I used my knee to keep him away. I have never been afraid of him even when he used to try attacking. I'd just correct him or totally ignore him as if he wasn't there. Now I'm petrified. He is 18 months old, hatched October 1st 2017. He has been a favorite. Suddenly I'm contemplating culling. I'm so broken hearted. And he's a beautiful Lavender Orpington in the spite of his bra. In light of my possibly finally going to be able to increase my flock this year, and I want peace and be able to sit with and enjoy interacting with my flock, I need to do something. Is there anyone interested in rescuing this boy?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Roosters are driven by hormones. Hormones levels are affected by amount of day length. Most roosters are docile during decreasing light, especially during winter. All roosters ramp up in spring as increasing daylight causes hormone surges.

If I have any trouble making roosters this time of year they get penned separately until they can calm down.

Hens too are affected by the increasing daylight, so your hens aggression can be from daylight as well. Also without enough room to burn off excess energy many breeds will look for ways to burn off that energy, and it's usually in the form of aggression towards flock mates. My barred rocks have never given me any troubles.

 

[Cryss]

Roosters are driven by hormones. Hormones levels are affected by amount of day length. Most roosters are docile during decreasing light, especially during winter. All roosters ramp up in spring as increasing daylight causes hormone surges.

If I have any trouble making roosters this time of year they get penned separately until they can calm down.

Hens too are affected by the increasing daylight, so your hens aggression can be from daylight as well. Also without enough room to burn off excess energy many breeds will look for ways to burn off that energy, and it's usually in the form of aggression towards flock mates. My barred rocks have never given me any troubles.

There are 7 birds with just shy of 300sqft run. I really don't have an area to raise roosters separately. How does it work? Do they only stay few hours? If so how long would he stay calm?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I actually will pen mine up for months if necessary. Generally hormones start to wane after the summer solstice and roosters calm down. Generally the first adult spring is the worse for some roosters.

If you don't have the room to manage him, and he's too much trouble than it may be better to move him along. I wouldn't recommend breeding from an aggressive rooster just in case it's genetic.

 

[Alaskan]

I have found aggression in roosters to be strongly genetic.

Sad though it most certainly is.....

I think for a peaceful backyard flock, it would be best to rehome or cull him and stick with only females.

 

[Cryss]

33 Eggs Today and lots of rain.

I have found aggression in roosters to be strongly genetic.

Sad though it most certainly is.....

I think for a peaceful backyard flock, it would be best to rehome or cull him and stick with only females.

Yes I would never breed him anyway. He's just been a loved pet. And yes, I'm considering my options for peace.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Get rid of the Plymouth Rocks

Get some Leghorns, Marans, & Legbars. If you get a Legbar cock and cross him with your Marans you’ll get Olive Eggers

 

[Cryss]

Hmmm...legbar cock? I wonder the personality.

Get rid of the Plymouth Rocks

Get some Leghorns, Marans, & Legbars. If you get a Legbar cock and cross him with your Marans you’ll get Olive Eggers

 

[Cryss]

There are 7 birds with just shy of 300sqft run. I really don't have an area to raise roosters separately. How does it work? Do they only stay few hours? If so how long would he stay calm?

Well!! Update!
I was wrong, wasn't thinking!!
First, Roopecca! I haven't been able to go in the run with the hens because of HIM! Hubby got tired of being sneak attacked when cleaning poop or gathering eggs. He spontaneously popped Mr. Pecca Roo (another name) into the tiny Guesthouse coop and closed the door. That was it! Ok, the coop is too small run-wise for him to live in it. It's meant to be a sick-house, separation coop, introduction coop...hence the name Guesthouse. But temporarily it can keep him from swimming with dumplings! Meanwhile we are building an 8X12 coop for the gals. Once they can actually move into the new coop the old coop will be available to move Roopecca into. I can remove the panels that we used to cover the attached run making it all coop without an attached run, and thus expose the attached run once again. He will have a 26sqft run and a 7sqft coop all to himself all within sight of his flock. Btw, the Guesthouse was donated to me by @Brahma Chicken5000 . What a blessing it has proved to be. So what do y'all think of this idea?

Ok, now the Barred Rocks. I am happy to say that a BYCer @Dkbahoo has offered to give them a home! She is coming to pick them up tomorrow, Thursday afternoon. Fraggle and Petra just won't stop picking on poor Henneth. Henneth stays away but I believe it is the reason she has stopped laying. So this means I will only have 4 hens. And only 3 laying unless Henneth gets on the ball.
I'll have to think about adding to the flock.
Updates to follow

 

[Cryss]