Rooster and pullets

[nuttieduck]

I have a 1 year old petite rooster with his 4 girls the same age. He has always done very well with them.

I also have pullets at 13 and 15 weeks old. They are dying to free range and scooted out an accidental opening to the main yard. The hens didn't seem to care but the rooster tried mounting the larger Cochin pullet. She's already about the same size he is. Of course she started screaming bloody murder and I quickly got all of them back in their own area. The 2 groups have had clear visibility of each other for about a month.

Is he mounting the Cochin because of her size? I want to open the gates and let them integrate but not if he's going after the pullets. They have a large yard and combined run once fully opened up. If I separate just him, what's the best way to do that?

 

[Perris]

You either have to keep them separate, or let them sort this out themselves. He will want to claim any pullet he thinks ready to mate. They will run from him until they are ready. I would just ensure they have plenty of space and clutter to run round.

 

[aart]

Is he mounting the Cochin because of her size?

He's mounting her to dominate her....and/or because he is not paying attention to the fact that she is not ready to lay.