over-eager rooster?

[Mykee]

I have a 3-year old Buff Orp rooster who is over-aggressive when mating. He has been separate from the hens for two years due to him pulling the girls' feathers out. I am trying to put him back in the main coop with the hens. Do you have any suggestions for keeping the hens "safe"? And does anyone have a pattern for a hen saddle? I think I may want to use one at first. Thanks!

 

[kellysmall87]

I think they sell saddles on ebay if that helps? I know some tips to 'tame' a young rooster... I don't know if it will help you or whether your rooster is too old for these tips to work. But here it goes...

He needs to think that YOU are the head rooster and that the hens are your girls. So when he mates in front of you, bat him off the hens. To assert dominance, pick him up, hold him tightly and clasp his beak together with your fingers. They HATE it but it shows them that you are the one in charge. Maybe then he will back off a bit. Maybe power has gone to his head?!
I've done that to my Rooster, Bert, since he was little and now I can do anything to him and he doesn't dare mate in front of me - although he does when he thinks im not looking, hehe! - and also the hens stoop for me as they see me as the head of the flock.
Sounds a bit cruel but it's not really. They just need someone in charge and if you want a tamed rooster, then that chicken in charge must be you.
Hope you get it sorted.

 

[chfite]

We got saddles for ours. The rooster had his favorite; and she was taking a beating. She's broody now, so not a current problem.

Chris