My flock is 13 weeks old as of yesterday. 2 roosters (one a Black Austrolorp, the other a Silver Laced Wyandotte) and 7 hens.
I think its just my Austrolorp mostly but the Roos are bullying the girls. We noticed yesterday they wouldn't let them out of the coop into the run. All day long just two roosters out and about.
From day one the Austrolorp ran things, very possessive of the girls until the SLW took him over in size and started crowing also in the past 2 weeks. Now the Austrolorp will back away from the SLW but he'll do other things like sit at the opening just inside the coop, I'm assuming so the girls can't come out. He's also in general rougher with the girls doing mating behavior and pecking at them now and then. Most of the poor gals are missing their longer tail feathers. At least the Rhode Island Reds are since they are the smaller of my pullets. Now my father in law says once they get used to it the hens will just sit down and allow them to mate but for right now I know that isn't the case.
My hubby and I had decided as soon as we knew we had two Roos one would go. We are going to try and take the Austrolorp to the Auction house and get another pullet but well no one is answering my calls. Does anyone know if maybe just having one Roo will make things a little more calm? I do like the temperment of the SLW a little better. Its not often but I can get him to eat out of my hand.
I did some interesting online reading about roosters and bully issues last night. It said there is a very strict hierchy (or however you spell that) in the chicken world. You should establish yourself as head rooster early on to keep problems at bay. Don't let them flog you ever, nor mate in front of you...you need to be head rooster. If you see them do these things don't hurt them but chase them and corner them, scare them a little. If you hand feed your flock the girls come to you first not the roosters. See the roosters need to see you as head rooster and a good head rooster makes sure the girls are taken care of first. Then hens are yours as head rooster, not theirs. Every now and then pick up your rooster in front of the other one, don't let them struggle out of your grasp to get down. Talk calmly to them, pet them, then let them down. Kinda keeps their ego in check. So I'm going to try that also, picking the roosters up in front of each other. Maybe that will help a smidge until I can get rid of the one. I don't want to butcher him at all but will consider it, its just he's kinda small for wanting to do that yet if that was the route I was going.
Reading that stuff was cracking me up last night but it made a lot of sense. Who knew a rooster was so egotistical. Though if you watch them you can believe it. They act like they are the most beautiful creature ever strutting around LOL.
Anyhow just wanted to share what was going on and see if someone could add some insight on Roosters and their behaviors. So far I like having them, just two is one too many for us.
I think its just my Austrolorp mostly but the Roos are bullying the girls. We noticed yesterday they wouldn't let them out of the coop into the run. All day long just two roosters out and about.
From day one the Austrolorp ran things, very possessive of the girls until the SLW took him over in size and started crowing also in the past 2 weeks. Now the Austrolorp will back away from the SLW but he'll do other things like sit at the opening just inside the coop, I'm assuming so the girls can't come out. He's also in general rougher with the girls doing mating behavior and pecking at them now and then. Most of the poor gals are missing their longer tail feathers. At least the Rhode Island Reds are since they are the smaller of my pullets. Now my father in law says once they get used to it the hens will just sit down and allow them to mate but for right now I know that isn't the case.
My hubby and I had decided as soon as we knew we had two Roos one would go. We are going to try and take the Austrolorp to the Auction house and get another pullet but well no one is answering my calls. Does anyone know if maybe just having one Roo will make things a little more calm? I do like the temperment of the SLW a little better. Its not often but I can get him to eat out of my hand.
I did some interesting online reading about roosters and bully issues last night. It said there is a very strict hierchy (or however you spell that) in the chicken world. You should establish yourself as head rooster early on to keep problems at bay. Don't let them flog you ever, nor mate in front of you...you need to be head rooster. If you see them do these things don't hurt them but chase them and corner them, scare them a little. If you hand feed your flock the girls come to you first not the roosters. See the roosters need to see you as head rooster and a good head rooster makes sure the girls are taken care of first. Then hens are yours as head rooster, not theirs. Every now and then pick up your rooster in front of the other one, don't let them struggle out of your grasp to get down. Talk calmly to them, pet them, then let them down. Kinda keeps their ego in check. So I'm going to try that also, picking the roosters up in front of each other. Maybe that will help a smidge until I can get rid of the one. I don't want to butcher him at all but will consider it, its just he's kinda small for wanting to do that yet if that was the route I was going.
Reading that stuff was cracking me up last night but it made a lot of sense. Who knew a rooster was so egotistical. Though if you watch them you can believe it. They act like they are the most beautiful creature ever strutting around LOL.
Anyhow just wanted to share what was going on and see if someone could add some insight on Roosters and their behaviors. So far I like having them, just two is one too many for us.
