Older Rooster Rejected By Younger Roosters

[Isaiah54]

Hello folks,
So I have this amazing rooster named Monsieur — he’s a huge 2-3 year old white Brahma, great with the hens, always looking out for them and protecting them from predators, and he’s not aggressive toward us. All around, he’s the best rooster I’ve ever had. But last year we added two new roosters (a bantam and another smaller one), and somehow they’ve gotten above Monsieur in the pecking order. He’s scared of them and avoids them, and recently he’s been escaping the coop and living a hobo life — something he never used to do. What should I do?

Does his behavior (that he’s no longer able to hold his own against the younger roosters) mean that he won’t be a good protector any more? Is he past his prime and it would just be best for the flock for him to move on? Or should I do something about the younger roosters and restore Monsieur to his rightful place?

 

[sourland]

He is plenty young enough to be a viable flock rooster. If I wanted to keep him as such, I would get rid of the two roosters who have dominated him.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

x2 on @sourland's post - there is much to be said for a gentle rooster who looks out for his ladies. I'd keep Monsieur and rehome the others.

 

[Isaiah54]

That sounds good. He’s responsible and mature and the others are just young and blustery.
Here’s a picture of him and also a close up of his feet. They’re a little gnarly looking. We think he lost some toes fighting predators, and I always figured his feet were red because the other chickens pecked the growing feathers. But I wonder if it’s anything more than that.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

But I wonder if it’s anything more than that.

X's 3 the first posters comment! A good rooster is worth their weight in gold.

How does his skin below his vent look?

I have seen many chicks hatch with short pinky toes.

That reddening looks more parasitic (scaly leg or regular mites) than pecking (to me). Could it be just the hormonal red showing up like that? The scales don't look like they have crusty keratin growth of SLM.

He even looks like a lover not a fighter!

 

[3KillerBs]

Is there a particular reason you wanted those other roosters?

I suggest that you evaluate your reasons for having roosters and decide which of your boys best suits those reasons.

If you have reasons to keep the others in your breeding program but can't part with this lovely fellow you might give him separate housing with a few of his favorite hens for company.

 

[Isaiah54]

That reddening looks more parasitic (scaly leg or regular mites) than pecking (to me).

Thank you! If it is parasitic, what would be the way to get rid of it? Also, how should the skin below his vent look, and what’s the importance of that?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Thank you! If it is parasitic, what would be the way to get rid of it? Also, how should the skin below his vent look, and what’s the importance of that?

Below the vent and on the abdomen should just be pale or light colored skin with smooth feather shafts. It should not be angry red or crusty or have dried up looking "dirt" balls clinging to the feather shafts, which would be a likely indicator of either mites or lice, which both are common depending on location. Consider adding your location to your profile as it *can* help folks give the best information available.

Here, all the birds get the inspection monthly. Some years I have to treat and others I don't. I even had the vet verify no bugs on one bird and the same day went home and found them on another bird.. each bird will have it's own immune system and bathing/foraging habits so even in the same flock some may be effected while others are less so. If I do need to treat one then I treat them all. There are a few effective treatments.. depending on your location.. in the US a permethrin based "horse fly spray" has been effective against most mites and lice (except SLM) with no egg withdrawal required. Scaly leg mite is treated by many through suffocation by repeated application of viscous (edible) topical fats/oils or with Ivermectin (not labeled for use in chickens). Egg withdrawal required.

His scales look fine, to me, considering age. But I am far from expert.

The only significance is looking at the clues that are available to us The other skin'feather condition can either help confirm or rule out (external) parasites verses hormonal flushing, picking, or something else. Below the vent is often the easiest place to see conditions effected by parasites. Looking after dark with a flashlight can also be quite revealing, as well as prevent any chasing of flightier birds that need inspecting.