My rooster is being bullied!

[aart]

Looks a tad crowded.
What all and how exactly are you feeding?
I'd get rid of the ladder thingies and put roosts all around the wall 12" out.

 

[GardenJen77]

Looks a tad crowded.
What all and how exactly are you feeding?
I'd get rid of the ladder thingies and put roosts all around the wall 12" out.

They roost on the "ladder thingies" just fine, unless you mean the real small one. We feed them crumble feed, in feeders, and whole corn during the winter, as well as grit and ground up dried egg shells.

 

[GardenJen77]

Our coop is a revamped old camper. It's got a few roosting poles and the old benches were turned into lidded nesting boxes, which also provide perches. Two of the walls have windows, so no poles can go on those walls. It's a bit tight during winter, but husband will be building a secondary coop this spring to remedy that.

 

[mixedbreeds]

Do you reall feed like a big bucket of corn every day. I’m not judging just curious.

 

[aart]

We feed them crumble feed, in feeders, and whole corn during the winter

Depending on protein percentage of crumble, and how much corn, they may be lacking in protein...and why they are eating your rooster.

 

[Mrs. K]

I thought you suggested keeping two flocks?

Is there a chance that your rooster is molting? They rather look tough when they are. Mine lost his tail feathers, and feathers along his neck when he molted.

Mrs K

 

[GardenJen77]

Depending on protein percentage of crumble, and how much corn, they may be lacking in protein...and why they are eating your rooster.

I feed them the higher grower crumble, and a large scoop of corn.

 

[GardenJen77]

I thought you suggested keeping two flocks?

Is there a chance that your rooster is molting? They rather look tough when they are. Mine lost his tail feathers, and feathers along his neck when he molted.

Mrs K

I had suggested moving my rooster into a new flock of young pullets, once I get them. If that would work, to save him. I don't know a lot about roosters, if he would accept a new flock. That was sort of my question with the move.

Just trying to figure this all out. No he's not molting. This has been going on since the fall. We have also seen hens pluck his feathers and scramble back into the flock so we can't figure out exactly what one did it, to catch them. All the ISAs look the same.

 

[GardenJen77]

Do you reall feed like a big bucket of corn every day. I’m not judging just curious.

Because it's been frigid temps, we do feed corn as a supplement every day, yes. I was instructed that they need the corn to help produce more body heat to stay warm this time of year.