Over amourous Rooster?

[NevadaEmma]

I have a young rooster who has just started to crow. Lately I have noticed the females that he has been raised with, crying out (kind of when I try to pick them up for a snuggle!)

A couple of days ago I found a dead young chicken in the coop where I have been keeping this generation of birds. She had no wounds other than a HUGE blood clot on the back of her neck ( about 2" across). I thought maybe a hawk had tried to take her, but when I noticed the rejected attempts of the new rooster to mate, I thought maybe he clamped onto her so aggressively that he injured her.

Has anyone had this problem? No I did not take photos. I have not had any dead hens for the last couple of days and have noticed any with wounds on the back of their head.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi,

So sorry for your loss.

Yes, that's very possible your young rooster did that. I'd separate him for what could be a few weeks or months even until his hormones settle down.

I have had a dead hen in my yard, and my suspicions were confirmed when I caught a rooster in the act of literally pounding a pullet's head into the ground. He was actually exterminated as that would have been two he'd have killed had we not caught him in the act.

 

[NevadaEmma]

Oh dear! My older rooster was so gentle and gentlemanly. But he has not been mounting the hens for a year or so. I will keep an eye on him, the Salmon Faverolles rooster are known for their gentleness, but maybe I got unlucky.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I have a young rooster who has just started to crow. Lately I have noticed the females that he has been raised with, crying out (kind of when I try to pick them up for a snuggle!)

A couple of days ago I found a dead young chicken in the coop where I have been keeping this generation of birds. She had no wounds other than a HUGE blood clot on the back of her neck ( about 2" across). I thought maybe a hawk had tried to take her, but when I noticed the rejected attempts of the new rooster to mate, I thought maybe he clamped onto her so aggressively that he injured her.

Has anyone had this problem? No I did not take photos. I have not had any dead hens for the last couple of days and have noticed any with wounds on the back of their head.

Thanks in advance.

You do not have a rooster, you have a cockerel, full of raging hogmones. And it sounds like your "hens" are young pullets who do not know how to deal with him or protect themselves. @Debbie292d 's advice is good, separating this youngster until he matures may help, but seriously I have my doubts. Cockerels raised in a flock of older, experienced hens from a very young age tend to learn manners as the old biddies won't put up with shenanigans from randy young cockerels. And if there is a seasoned rooster in the flock, so much the better, as he will knock the youngsters off the hens and pullets until they earn the right to some of the hens. Do you even need a rooster? Unless you plan to hatch chicks, you may not. And if you decide that you do, keep an eye out on Craig's List or FB Marketplace for a sweet, gentle mature one that someone really doesn't want to part with because he is a real gem, but they have too many roosters or can't keep him for some other reason. And if they're willing to take him back if he doesn't work out, so much the better.

 

[BDutch]

sorry this happened.
The explanation and advice of Bigbluehen is good.

 

[NevadaEmma]

You do not have a rooster, you have a cockerel, full of raging hogmones. And it sounds like your "hens" are young pullets who do not know how to deal with him or protect themselves. @Debbie292d 's advice is good, separating this youngster until he matures may help, but seriously I have my doubts. Cockerels raised in a flock of older, experienced hens from a very young age tend to learn manners as the old biddies won't put up with shenanigans from randy young cockerels. And if there is a seasoned rooster in the flock, so much the better, as he will knock the youngsters off the hens and pullets until they earn the right to some of the hens. Do you even need a rooster? Unless you plan to hatch chicks, you may not. And if you decide that you do, keep an eye out on Craig's List or FB Marketplace for a sweet, gentle mature one that someone really doesn't want to part with because he is a real gem, but they have too many roosters or can't keep him for some other reason. And if they're willing to take him back if he doesn't work out, so much the better.

Thanks for the reply. The younger rooster does not appear to be trying to mate with the older hens, at least at this point.

I sperated the two groups from an early age. The younger hens and the younger rooster went into a second coop from the main coop.

The two groups intermingle during the day, but seperate at night.

Tank, the older rooster used to knock off younger roosters from "his" hens. He is 4 years old now and I think does not want a fight. I am hoping that there will not be a fight between them over the hens. If it gets to that point, I will rehome the younger rooster and some hens his own age.

I used to incubate the eggs when Tank was fertile, intending to raise one of his sons, but it did not happen for various reasons. Tank is an amazing rooster and even though he is old and we would miss him terribly.

 

[BDutch]

Tank, the older rooster used to knock off younger roosters from "his" hens. He is 4 years old now and I think does not want a fight. I am hoping that there will not be a fight between them over the hens. If it gets to that point, I will rehome the younger rooster and some hens his own age.

I used to incubate the eggs when Tank was fertile, intending to raise one of his sons, but it did not happen for various reasons. Tank is an amazing rooster and even though he is old and we would miss him terribly.

Tank is not old. Roosters (normal strong heritage breeds and barnyard mixes) can reach the age of 10 easily. I know of other old BY roosters who gave offspring til their last year.

Are you sure he is not fertile anymore?
What breed is he?
What do you feed your flock? Which extras?
Tag Shadrach if you want an expert to chime in.