Rooster behavior normal???

[Opa]

Roosters can get very aggressive and even dangerous if they feel they "rule the roost". An old timer that has raised and exhibited chickens for 50+ years advised me to never let a rooster mate in your presence. Not letting them mate while you are around reinforces the fact that you are the Alpha bird. He said that its best that when you enter your coop the rooster should vacate immediately upon seeing you. He trains this behavior by booting the rooster with his foot. He doesn't kick them hard enough to hurt them, just enough to make them leave. Trying to work with your hens can be difficult if the rooster is there trying to protect them from you. If you ever get spurred you will wish that you "ruled the roost". Also, a spur injury to your person can lead to a serious infection since a chickens feet are filthy.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

There has already been at least one discussion here on this idea, and many folks disagree with this. Especially since you seem new to keeping roos with hens I'd advise you research this further before making your own decision. But know that many folks think this "alpha roo" business, and all this effort to prevent roos from mating in their master's presence, is nonsense and a waste of time.

 

[rooster-red]

FWIW, check out my page on roo behavior, the link is in my sig line.

 

[Opa]

Quote:

Excellent information on roosters. Anyone who has spent very much time around chickens will have to agree with you. After sixty plus years of being a country boy I've never seen a Lap Rooster,​

 

[chickenbike]

It seems there are opinions on roosters from all sides. I posted a question as to whether one should keep the dominant or submissive rooster.....and there are opinions in favour of either!

I am giving one of my roosters to a friend and need to decide which one in the next week or so. I have read, more than once that 2 roosters is definitely too many for only 2 hens! The dominant rooster at this point is also the more social (he comes right up to me, along with the dominant hen, always curious about whatever's going on), while the submissive one will come and interact a bit more slowly.

Of course I'm concerned about re-homing the submissive one and then this fellow turns aggressive. I guess that's just the chance you take?

They aren't in a full size coop that I can walk into. They are in an ark with a 3' tall extension run and roaming area (64 square feet total). I have crawled into the run several times with no problems.


So I wouldn't be able to stop any mating physically....only via a loud voice and clapping. Although there seems to be two sides to that theory as well?

 

[EllyMae]

I agree with the info rooster-red posted. I had an aggressive rooster and started showing him who the boss was(in a humane type of way) but in a way he understood in the rooster world. Anytime he gets too "forward", I put him in his place again.
Of course my dad is afraid that I'm losing my mind...lol.

 

[rooster-red]

Ultimately you'll have to choose which is right for you, as far as which rooster to keep.

Just weigh what you like and dislike about each and make the best decision you can.

 

[chickenbike]

Quote:
Thanks, I will. At least I know it will be a well thought out decision. I read your rooster info page and found it very informative as well.

 

[JudyMcKinn]

Two roosters are too many for just a couple or a half dozen hens. About 1 rooster for a dozen hens, usually. They will have the feathers torn out of the hen's backs and then start tearing the skin on the bare backs with their nails if there are too many roosters. And while the occasional hen will stand up to a rooster, it is very uncommon. sometimes an older hen will put a young rooster in his place, if he is being clumsy, but usually they will submit, either willingly or unwillingly, as the rooster will be bigger and stronger, and he grabs the back of their neck with his beak, so they are pretty well caught.
I would think about getting rid of one rooster, in one way or another. And as far as who is more or less aggressive, and which rooster to keep. The less aggressive one will become just like the aggressive one, when he doesn't have the other one to dominate him. Good Luck.

 

[chickenbike]

That is exactly what I don't want to happen to these 2 hens (feather loss, pecking skin etc.). One of the roosters is definitely going to my friends.

I know that I need more hens, but we won't be hatching until spring. I guess I will monitor things closely and should the 2 girls be harassed too much, I may need to re-home the other rooster and just have the 2 hens until the spring.

Originally I wasn't planning on a rooster. However, locating Partridge Chanteclers in Western Canada was a huge challenge. Of my 42 eggs, only 4 hatched.....and I've ended up with 2 roos and 2 hens. Because the breed is on Canada's rare breeds list, and I ended up with a rooster, I thought I'd keep one for the fertilized eggs.

However, 1 rooster for 2 hens may lead me to re-home the 2nd rooster as well, pending his behavior towards the girls. I do not want him to over-mate the hens!