I have a 4 month old flock and younger 2 month old flock that I am trying to combine. They have been living near each other with the young ones in a separate grow out pen located in the main coop for the past month. I have now turned everyone loose for longer and longer time periods into the run and an attached patch of corn that is fenced and connects to the coop. We do not free range because of urban predators. So far, the younger chick pay attention the my 4m old rooster's warnings and avoid contact with him. However, he tried mounting one of them today, tearing out some of her feathers. While she made her escape, the rooster ate all the feathers he had pulled out. Is that normal roo behavior? I have never seen him eat feathers before.
