Over achiever Rooster

[candycar]

I have a REALLY Nice 1 year old roo (Mille Fleur Belgian Bearded D'Uccle). His only problem is he is over pecking the hens heads. I only have 3 hens and 2 young pullets. The 3 hens are becoming bald from his attentions. They submit but still get head beat. I fear for the young pullets (7wks).
How old before roos become gentlemen? He is very good in every other way, just too aggressive when mating.
Do I need to rehome him to a bigger flock? I can't increase my numbers because of limited space.

 

[azygous]

The problem is his technique. Whether that will improve over time can't be predicted. Since he's only a year old, there's a better than even chance he will learn over time to grab lower on the neck instead of the top of the head where it's harder on the feathers.

I would segregate him from the hens for a while until his hormones quiet down a bit, and perhaps he'll forget his bad habit of grabbing the head feathers.

 

[aart]

They submit but still get head beat.

If he's beating their heads, he is not 'nice' at all.

 

[candycar]

The problem is his technique. Whether that will improve over time can't be predicted. Since he's only a year old, there's a better than even chance he will learn over time to grab lower on the neck instead of the top of the head where it's harder on the feathers.

I would segregate him from the hens for a while until his hormones quiet down a bit, and perhaps he'll forget his bad habit of grabbing the head feathers.

He has been at my BILs house on vacation for over a week now. How long do you think he should stay?
I miss his wake up call that lets me know everyone is OK. And it's too quiet now! On the plus side, the hens are happy and less stressed.

 

[azygous]

It's like he's going to college to be a gentleman roo. The rough edges usually take until a cockerel is 12 to 18 months old to smooth over. Some take until they're two years old to mellow.

The advantage of him returning in a few months will be that he will be junior in rank among the hens and that should further keep him mellowed.