Pullets aggressive toward cockerel

[suchwit]

Before they started laying a couple of weeks ago, all 10 of my hens were pulling feathers off the cockerel we got the same time as them. Is there any particular reason? He guards the feeder bin, is this just pay back? He's docile otherwise, has no cares in the world and just wants to be left alone. He's only pecked at one of the light brahmas before, but he just lets them pick his feathers! It's not a protein deficiency, they get more than 24% in feed and have access to worm bins, the composting piles and the mounds of bugs we acquire during our daily gardening.. We just feel bad for the guy, especially because he doesn't seem to actually be the bottom of the pecking order. We just miss his showy green feathers! They have PLENTY of land to roam, and a jungle gym is slowly being built in their "enclosed" run that's attached to the coop, so I really hope spacing isn't the issue, as acerage is what we gave them!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Pullets can get crabby around the point of lay due to surging hormones. Maybe they were taking their aggression out on him. Does he mate them? He does look young and unsure of himself.