Hi Karen
It sounds as though you would be wise to get rid of the mean rooster. And now that you've got baby chicks (congrats, by the way!) it may be smart to read up a little on roosters and aggressive behavior. Rooster Reds page is a great place to start https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2588-Roo behavior Being able to handle and pick up your rooster is really important - not only for you to establish dominance, but to care for him should the need arise.
In addition to what Rooster Red recommends, I also try to "act" like a rooster to my rooster. I learned this from another member of these forums whose name completely escapes me. (PLEASE if you are reading this, chime in! I apologize for being so forgetful - and I'd like to reference your page on this subject). I have another rooster, Bobby Lee. He is second in command to Duke. Duke will not allow Bobby Lee to mate a hen in front of him. I do the same to Duke. I don't seek him out, but if he attempts to mount a hen in front of me, I gently knock him off of her with my foot. I don't feed him treats until the girls start eating first. Just observe your roosters behavior, and then treat him the same as he treats those lower on the pecking order. Might sound weird, but to have a rooster who is aggressively protective of his flock (which is what I want) you need to teach him you are the Alpha in the flock and you really kind of have to learn to think and act like a rooster to him. Deal with him in terms he can understand.
Best of luck with the new puppy and chicks!
Take care,
Penny
It sounds as though you would be wise to get rid of the mean rooster. And now that you've got baby chicks (congrats, by the way!) it may be smart to read up a little on roosters and aggressive behavior. Rooster Reds page is a great place to start https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2588-Roo behavior Being able to handle and pick up your rooster is really important - not only for you to establish dominance, but to care for him should the need arise.
In addition to what Rooster Red recommends, I also try to "act" like a rooster to my rooster. I learned this from another member of these forums whose name completely escapes me. (PLEASE if you are reading this, chime in! I apologize for being so forgetful - and I'd like to reference your page on this subject). I have another rooster, Bobby Lee. He is second in command to Duke. Duke will not allow Bobby Lee to mate a hen in front of him. I do the same to Duke. I don't seek him out, but if he attempts to mount a hen in front of me, I gently knock him off of her with my foot. I don't feed him treats until the girls start eating first. Just observe your roosters behavior, and then treat him the same as he treats those lower on the pecking order. Might sound weird, but to have a rooster who is aggressively protective of his flock (which is what I want) you need to teach him you are the Alpha in the flock and you really kind of have to learn to think and act like a rooster to him. Deal with him in terms he can understand.
Best of luck with the new puppy and chicks!
Take care,
Penny
