@#!$%!! rooster got shown the door!

[Jbull]

Recently I'd been noticing a larger than average amount of feathers in my run. At first I wasn't sure what was causing it because:

1. My pullets are too young to molt.
2. No predator got in there to hurt any of them.

That got me to thinking why I haven't had any eggs up to this point. All of my girls are old enough and have combs that have been getting brighter red and there for a week I thought that they were going to lay just any day. I even heard a couple of attempts at egg songs. Then all of a sudden everyone of them started acting super stressed and flightier than usual. I hadn't changed my routine or theirs in any way. ( feed was the same, etc etc) I also noticed that the rooster was acting more aggressive towards me whenever I came in to clean or check the house etc. (we raised him). I let it go and decided to wait and see.

Anyway my father-in-law and I were outside Friday evening having a beer while all of the chickens were free ranging a bit before going to roost. I heard some crazy squawking and went to investigate. The ****** rooster was going from pullet to pullet attacking them and trying to do "his thing". Well that explained it all to me immediately. I allowed everyone back into roost that night. (it was late and he ran into roost faster than I could get him.)

Saturday morning, the rooster (he was a big yellow guy) decided to come after me when I came in the run to check everyone out. Wings, claws, the whole nine-yards! The crazy SOB even got a couple of licks in on my arms! Big mistake! I snatched him up and we had a little talk in my barn very quickly afterwards. I won the argument.....

Yesterday morning I went out to let everyone out and it was as if I had a completely different flock! They were calm, quiet, and just went about their business.

So, now that I've eliminated their main point of stress: Should they begin laying soon or do any of you think that the crazy rooster totally jacked up their cycle?

 

[dekel18042]

You say pullets but how old and what breed? Cockerels mature earlier than pullets and will often start trying to breed before the girls are ready. Teenage cockerels are the worst which is why it is nice to have some mature dominant hens and perhaps even a good flock rooster to show them their place until they learn and gain some manners, although I find human aggression never allowed.
Once they settle down I think the pullets will begin laying when they were going to lay. Have their combs reddened up yet? Do they squat for you? Both are signs of laying getting closer.

 

[Jbull]

You say pullets but how old and what breed? Cockerels mature earlier than pullets and will often start trying to breed before the girls are ready. Teenage cockerels are the worst which is why it is nice to have some mature dominant hens and perhaps even a good flock rooster to show them their place until they learn and gain some manners, although I find human aggression never allowed.
Once they settle down I think the pullets will begin laying when they were going to lay. Have their combs reddened up yet? Do they squat for you? Both are signs of laying getting closer.

One is a RIR and she's 7 months old. The other 5 are Production Reds and they're 6 months old. All but two have combs that are reddening. No squatting yet. Hurry up and wait! lol

FYI: I'm expanding my run/house and will be getting some Barred Rocks and Speckled Sussex girls to add to the flock. I've read that BR roosters turn out to be pretty good guys.Thoughts/ recommendations?
I do want a flock rooster. At what age should I introduce a cockerel to the flock?

 

[dekel18042]

One is a RIR and she's 7 months old. The other 5 are Production Reds and they're 6 months old. All but two have combs that are reddening. No squatting yet. Hurry up and wait! lol

FYI: I'm expanding my run/house and will be getting some Barred Rocks and Speckled Sussex girls to add to the flock. I've read that BR roosters turn out to be pretty good guys.Thoughts/ recommendations?
I do want a flock rooster. At what age should I introduce a cockerel to the flock?

Sounds like they're getting close to laying. I know, it seems like forever. You might want to wait until your pullets are mature to add a younger cockerel or you might ask around.
Often people have extra young roosters who are nice and hold on to them for awhile in hopes of finding a home for them.
Most are willing to rehome a rooster with full disclosure. I'm always happy to find a good home for my nice boys and I just got a nice young adult so you might want to go that route.
It seems the best tempered roosters are raised in a flock with chickens of both sexes and all ages.

 

[varidgerunner]

Roosters try to breed pullets just a little before the pullets will readily squat for breeding. What you are seeing is common, they will settle down and start laying soon, rooster or no rooster. The roosters invasion of your personal space and inability to differentiate human from chicken is the real issue that is a problem. In the common barnyard breeds there is great variety in rooster temperaments, so yo might have to go through several to find a good one. A dozen people will probably get on here and say "well I had a xxxx, and he was the best rooster ever", but it really means nothing, you will have to find a rooster that suits your management program.

 

[Jbull]

Sounds like they're getting close to laying. I know, it seems like forever. You might want to wait until your pullets are mature to add a younger cockerel or you might ask around.
Often people have extra young roosters who are nice and hold on to them for awhile in hopes of finding a home for them.
Most are willing to rehome a rooster with full disclosure. I'm always happy to find a good home for my nice boys and I just got a nice young adult so you might want to go that route.
It seems the best tempered roosters are raised in a flock with chickens of both sexes and all ages.

I appreciate the advice! What age would I consider my pullets "mature"?
I'll definitely ask around for some roosters in need of a re-home whenever the time comes. I like having them around just so long as they understand who runs the place! ;-)

 

[Jbull]

Roosters try to breed pullets just a little before the pullets will readily squat for breeding. What you are seeing is common, they will settle down and start laying soon, rooster or no rooster. The roosters invasion of your personal space and inability to differentiate human from chicken is the real issue that is a problem. In the common barnyard breeds there is great variety in rooster temperaments, so yo might have to go through several to find a good one. A dozen people will probably get on here and say "well I had a xxxx, and he was the best rooster ever", but it really means nothing, you will have to find a rooster that suits your management program.

Ok, noted. Yeah, he didn't invade, it was a full on frontal assault! Hated to git rid of him because my daughter hatched him at school but that behavior is a no-go! I'll definitely explore my options when it comes to roosters.

I may try a couple of different ones.

 

[dekel18042]

I appreciate the advice! What age would I consider my pullets "mature"?
I'll definitely ask around for some roosters in need of a re-home whenever the time comes. I like having them around just so long as they understand who runs the place! ;-)

Once they've been laying for a while. Unless you want to breed a specific breed, breed doesn't matter in the rooster. Try to find one raised in a flock of different ages where the person tells you her roosters are fine, she just has too many.
I have and have had roosters that are real sweethearts (even the huge ones) and I would trust them with anyone Human aggression is the one thing I will cull for..

 

[Jbull]

Awe

Once they've been laying for a while. Unless you want to breed a specific breed, breed doesn't matter in the rooster. Try to find one raised in a flock of different ages where the person tells you her roosters are fine, she just has too many.
I have and have had roosters that are real sweethearts (even the huge ones) and I would trust them with anyone Human aggression is the one thing I will cull for..

Awesome! Thanks!