Roo Behavior Question

[seminolewind]

I've always see my roosters in the past take treats and drop them for the girls. This one gobbles up the treats (scratch not really spread around) with the hens, and often I see him peck some of the hens away, especially 1 of my Jersey hens, and an Ameraucana . The Jersey won't approach the snacks at all near the roo. I've had those 2 hens specifically for 5 years. Him for 2. Other than that, he's nice to us and protective to the hens.

What's up with this behavior?

 

[Chickenfan4life]

Those hens may be too dominant for him, so he is most likely now taking up a more dominant role to make sure he stays the alpha, top dog, number one... are they very dominant, because if they are, then this is possibly the case.

 

[seminolewind]

I think you've got it!

 

[my sunwolf]

This is so good to know! I've got a young (6 months old) roo who I just introduced to the hens, and they pecked him pretty good for a few days. He's finally started to take charge, but is bossing them around, pecking them, gobbling up all the food. Really hope it's just a phase until he feels more comfortable in his leadership position!

 

[seminolewind]

Let me know if yours starts to behave himself and I'll let you know, LOL

I have a few roos in pens and when the hens come up to the side of the pen, they actually drop what they have in front of them!!! So sweet.

 

[bj taylor]

i have a barred rock hen that is very independent. she quit letting the rooster mount her & would run away from him. he got tired of it & started chasing her away from the flock. she got the message. she began to hang out right beside him & stopped causing other trouble. once she learned her lesson & lost some backside feathers, he let her join the flock again. she's still independent, but knows she needs him for safety.

 

[seminolewind]

I think that's what's going on. I'm noticing that the Ameraucana is sticking to his side, and the JG's were probably not letting him. How funny!

 

[my sunwolf]

But how do you identify when a rooster crosses the line between protective and just plain mean??

My guy was beating the hens up in the coop this morning that I had to remove him and let them get their food/water before I let everyone out together. Then he ran around herding them and biting their tail feathers and mounting them even when they were squawking

All the hens pretty much hate him. He tidbits them, but usually he's just faking it and doesn't really have anything yummy. Once they get close he jumps on them before they realize he hasn't got any treats. At least his spurs haven't grown in much yet...

Do you guys have any experience that says a roo gets gentler as he gets older?

 

[seminolewind]

A roo should not be doing that. My roo pecks at a select few, but not every day.

I guess it depends on how old your roo is. I would think at 6 months old, he should be good. What i did once is separate the roo for a few months, and when I let him out again he was the perfect roo.

The roo this thread is about seems to have a select 3, and everyone else is not as important. He may end up separated again.

 

[gg706]

My rooster "fake treats" sometimes too...it makes me MAD!

Other than that he is a great rooster! NONE of my hens want anything to do with him he chases them all morning but never catches any of them. I have always wondered why the hens don't like him and have thought about getting another roo they like better...I have no hope of hatching any eggs!