rooster abusing hens

[Picco]

I have had this bantam cochin rooster (Piccolino) for several years now and he has been wonderful. He has been great to the hens in the past but all of a sudden he is very aggressive. My family moved a few months ago and I built a new coop and run. Our new situation doesn't allow for free ranging like the last place so now my birds are cooped up (in a large coop w/ run). I have two large standard hens which are very old (9 yrs+) two penedesenca pullets, a bantam hen and a bantam pullet and another bantam cochin cockerel in one side of the coop which is large (8X10). Recently Piccolino has become very aggressive, particularly towards the older hens. I have come quite attached to my roo so I don't want to get rid of him, but his abuse is become severe and my older hens (who were my first and second chickens) have been getting injured. I separated the hens for a while but I don't have a good place to put them so I had to return them to the coop. I am unsure what to do. I am selling the younger rooster at the auction this Saturday, and I'm wondering if I should send Piccolino too. Is there anything I could do to stop this abuse?

 

[bigzio]

Well for sure the hens don't need the constant abuse. If you could create another area for the roo by cutting pens in half at least some peace could result.

I still think hens are happier in the hen house without the constant badgering of the roo. While some roos can exist with the hens, it's not the best situation for all.

bigzio

 

[picklespickles]

before you send him off to the auction, can you take a picture of him since he was your favorite. also, there are artistis who make vases with the feathers from favorite birds (or hair from horses.) i have always thought if i had a difficult choice, i might get a memento like that before i had to do the deed of whatever sort.

 

[silkiechicken]

Could you house him out in his own place?