Rooster drama

[LadyAchee]

Hello everyone! I have 3 roosters going into maturity. I plan on keeping 1 or 2 of them but they are rough on my hens. I know rooster mating is not always pretty but one rooster will get on a hen and the other 2 run over and peck her while the first tries to mate. I have separated the 2 bigger boys and locked them in my run. Any advice would be appreciated. If I keep them seperated will they mellow out in a couple months? Pictures of the culprits.

 

[nicalandia]

Boys will be boys, if you don't stop this when they are grown they will Literally Gang Up on a single hen, the three of them taking turns, I have seen 4 roosters do that to a single hen and it's awful to say the least. The best bet is to either let one of them be king of the hill(by keeping the most dominant lose with the hens and the other two on a single pen) and keep the others at bay

 

[LadyAchee]

I feel like I should add that they are only 5 months old while most of my hens are 1.5 years old.

 

[Alaskan]

I find most rooster behavior to be genetic.

I do not tolerate roosters that refuse to be good to the hens.

So, yes, they MIGHT settle down as they mature, BUT they have already proven themselves to be sub-par males.

I would sell or eat all three.

Then decide if you even want or need a rooster. Your flock might be a great deal happier without.

 

[aart]

Multiple males create an environment of competition.
Remove 2 and the other will likely be better behaved.
No reason to have more than 1 male, other than personal preference.

 

[LaFleche]

Hello everyone! I have 3 roosters going into maturity. I plan on keeping 1 or 2 of them but they are rough on my hens. I know rooster mating is not always pretty but one rooster will get on a hen and the other 2 run over and peck her while the first tries to mate. I have separated the 2 bigger boys and locked them in my run. Any advice would be appreciated. If I keep them seperated will they mellow out in a couple months?

If you really want to keep one of them, let your hens choose the one they like best, as they will have to put up with him and his behaviour. Rehome or eat the other two.

 

[LadyAchee]

How can I tell which one that is?

 

[LadyAchee]

I find most rooster behavior to be genetic.

I do not tolerate roosters that refuse to be good to the hens.

So, yes, they MIGHT settle down as they mature, BUT they have already proven themselves to be sub-par males.

I would sell or eat all three.

Then decide if you even want or need a rooster. Your flock might be a great deal happier without.

The lady I got the eggs from has like 4 roosters and they all are sweet she said.

If you really want to keep one of them, let your hens choose the one they like best, as they will have to put up with him and his behaviour. Rehome or eat the other two.

How do I let them choose?

 

[Silkie Princess]

I find most rooster behavior to be genetic.

I agree. I had two Silkie roosters from a agressive father. The one pecked the girls for no reason and was mean. But his brother is a sweetheart. The only thing I don't like about him is that he is scared of a chicken two times smaller than him

 

[LaFleche]

How can I tell which one that is?

Just spend time to oberve:

They will usually prefer to be near him, following him wherever he goes or come running when he calls for treats etc.

They will let him mate without fighting him or screaming.

They will want to roost near him at night.

They will run to him seeking protection from the harassing other cockerels.