Please help!!

[Rockland Farm]

My Dad and I were probably going to bring back my favorite pet chicken tomorrow since he ended up being a male. The reason why we would bring him back is because we are afraid that when we go to collect eggs when our hens start laying, he may get territorial and attack us or not let us near the nests. Are all roosters like this? and is it possible that he wont do this? (i really want to keep him as long as he wont hurt anybody) oh and also... we have smalller pullets (about 6 weeks) that he has tried to umm... you know.... and could he possibly injure them too? He has been friendly so far to everyone and is actually kind of shy. Please any advice???

 

[artsyrobin]

what breed is he, that will determine alot about how he will act. My barred rock is so relaxed, he doesn't mind us collecting eggs

 

[ging3rhoffman]

That is one reason why my husband built the egg boxes on the outside of the coop. We dont have to worry about the hens or the rooster getting bossy over the eggs. When we seen the egg boxes built on the outside of the coop we just knew we had to have it that way. Maybe your dad can make a couple for you.

My rooster use to be so sweet but now he is stand-offish. I think its just part of becoming a rooster.

 

[PoultryPedia]

There is a great thread on rooster temperament at https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=73780.

As for the pullets, roos don't usually start trying to breed them before the pullets are sexually mature. I've found that roos can be a bit over-enthusiastic when their hormones first kick in and they start breeding, but the roos calm down about it more after a few months.

Roos can be a benefit to hens by protecting them, calling together everyone to eat food he finds, etc. Some hens are a bit disgruntled if they don't live with a roo--Such a hen will hunker down in breeding position when you enter the coop. I've heard that a roo can help "keep peace" among the hens, but haven't observed that to be necessarily so with my chickens.

You could put a chicken saddle on any hen that your rooster seems to breed too much. You can make one (Use 'Search' on BYC to find more info) or the BYC member named Moodene makes them for $3.

My roos have sometimes eyed me a little when I've picked up eggs, but not too much. I usually try to stand such that chickens won't notice when I get eggs from nests, just so they feel more secure and less like they're being raided. I also leave at least one fake egg in each nest to reassure them.

Best wishes!

 

[Rockland Farm]

Thank you all SOOOO much!! I am going to print this all out and show it to my Dad. Thanks again!!! (oh and he is an Easter Egger)

 

[PoultryPedia]

Hope it goes well! Let us know

It's great when you can keep a chicken you really like. Hope you can.

 

[Rockland Farm]

thank you