Rooster doesn’t let part of group out of coop?

[Kathys Coop]

I have 20 hens 19 weeks old with 4 roosters ( 1 polish, 1 black Australorp, 2 Delaware). I know I have to get rid of at least two roosters soon ( hatchery missexed bad). I have a very large coop ( was on property when bought it just did some renovations), I free range them all day door open they can do as they please and in the coop at night. I have a group of maybe 10 that consistently hangs outside all day ( naps under horse trailer or dump trailer. The other half are in the coop most of the day. It seems like the black Australorp rooster is the king when any of these hens try to go out he circles then does this kicking thing with his feet and basically pushes them back in. One of Delaware rooster does the same. The polish rooster hangs out with a group of hens outside crows but doesn’t otherwise act like a rooster too much with the hens and he only stays outside all day. The black Australorp hangs outside checking on that group and then goes back to the coop to check on that group. The Delaware roosters mainly hang outside sometimes go in to bug the inside girls or take a nap. This has been going on the last 10 days or so. I feel bad for the group that’s in most of the time. Sometimes I try to bring out a few that look like they want to go out and put them with the outside flock. But sometimes one of the roosters chances them in. Why is this happening? Any thoughts how to fix this issues?

 

[azygous]

You said it yourself, you need to get rid of a few roosters.

They seem awfully young to be dividing up harems, but that does appear to be what's going on. If there were older hens, these punks wouldn't be able to get away with it, but pullets are too inexperienced to know better.

You're right, it's not fair to the girls. You need to take control of the situation. There is no rule that says young cockerels must be allowed access to the pullets. So, for starters, try keeping the boys corralled and let the girls free range.

Every chicken keeper should have a segregated pen to separate out a trouble maker from time to time. It's also good for brooding baby chicks on occasion. Sometimes I use mine for a victim of bullying to restore her confidence by giving her a safe refuge for a while.

Next you need to make it a priority to decide which cockerels you wish to keep and rehome the others. If you procrastinate, things will continue to get worse and you certainly don't want to see any rooster wars develop. The idea of having to deal with injured roosters that have decided they need to kill each other should motivate you.