Rooster Help - Aggressive or Just Learning

[Jasfarm]

This is a great article by Shadrach on cockerels and roosters. I think you'll enjoy reading it!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/understanding-your-rooster.75056/

I started this! So so good! Thank you!

 

[Jasfarm]

I added my 2 cockerels to the flock over a period of a couple days to make the transition easier (from pullets to older hens) Luckily for them I don't have a mature rooster.They have a big fenced yard with a kiddy pool, shrubs, trees, nooks and hiding places .One my biggest hens drop kicked a cockerel yesterday after he picked a fight with the other cockerel.(Priceless!) Older hens will humble them.

I wish mine were doing that. When they were all free ranging it would be two separate flocks. And unfortunately, he just can’t hang with the pullets. He’s been hiding soon as the hens come in so hopefully that knocks him down a peg!

 

[Jasfarm]

I am going to add another strike to the EE rooster - I am surprised that no one else mentioned it. But it is the picture where he is quite close to your foot. A lot of people see that as being friendly. But it is a forerunner to be bold, and an indicator that he has no respect for your space.

I would not be surprised if this cockerel becomes aggressive towards people. I do not want a rooster that is in a panic when I am near, but I do want one that does not come into my space, and gives me a nice 5-6 foot area of respect.

The thing is sometimes people think, these are the cockerels I was given by the Gods so to speak and therefore we need to keep them. Truth is, a lot of roosters do not work out. Neither of these rooster might work out. If they don't, remove them.

If you want a rooster, and these don't work out - ask at 4-H clubs, poultry clubs, or at the feed store. Often times there are really nice roosters, that have not been culled, because they are so darn nice. What you want is someone who would cull a mean rooster, that has an extra, raised up in a multi-generational flock.

So know - the second one might work out, might not. You are not required to keep a rotten one, even if you did raise it. There are other birds out there.

Mrs K

Thank you!

Yes, he runs up to me for food all the time. We originally thought he was a girl, so we hand fed him as a chick with the other littles. The Brahma stays far away (that seems promising). Thank you for the advice on a multigenerational one. Hopefully the Brahma works, but if not we’ll try that!

 

[McChooky]

Update:

Today I went to let everyone out…our neighbors Bengal was over so everyone was freaking out. Where is Derek? Chasing down an EE and scaring her half to death. I caught him and put him in the run solo. Now both littles and bugs are hanging out. The littles are actually foraging for food! I feel like this is how a happy flock should behave? Maybe he just needs a time out, so I’m willing to work with him, but with the eating and scarfing food down before the girls, tidbiting nothing to lure them so he can catch them, it’s not boding well for the big guy.

Thank you again for all the help.

Kelsey

What a learning curve this is! I wouldn’t be opposed to multiple flocks, but when I read this to my partner, he was like no way! I’d love to have multiple flocks! I’ll keep you posted. Thank you again for all your support.

Kelseyarl

The biggest crested cream legbar cockerel is missing some tail feathers(he's the most dominant of the two roos) He gave the pullets a hard time until they was separated. (most of them are leghorns and faster than him) One of my older hens drop kicked him yesterday for being a jerk in the yard.He was nice today lol

 

[McChooky]

Thank you!

Yes, he runs up to me for food all the time. We originally thought he was a girl, so we hand fed him as a chick with the other littles. The Brahma stays far away (that seems promising). Thank you for the advice on a multigenerational one. Hopefully the Brahma works, but if not we’ll try that!

X2 on the multigenerational rooster(s)!

 

[McChooky]

Update:

Today I went to let everyone out…our neighbors Bengal was over so everyone was freaking out. Where is Derek? Chasing down an EE and scaring her half to death. I caught him and put him in the run solo. Now both littles and bugs are hanging out. The littles are actually foraging for food! I feel like this is how a happy flock should behave? Maybe he just needs a time out, so I’m willing to work with him, but with the eating and scarfing food down before the girls, tidbiting nothing to lure them so he can catch them, it’s not boding well for the big guy.

Thank you again for all the help.

Kelsey

Cockerels should be separated from the pullets and turned out daily with the older girls.

 

[TropicalChickies]

Thank you! Are you having success with this?

Today he’s been in the run solo all day while everyone free ranges. So I’m acting roo and shuttling them back and forth to lay eggs

Yes. My cockerel Lucio is nine months old now -- almost a rooster -- and quite a young gentleman. He stands his ground during falcon warnings, gives all the treats he finds to his ladies, and knows that "no" means "no." Lucio spent his first five months of life in the company of older hens. By the time I brought in some younger pullets for him to woo and mate with, he had been schooled.

It doesn't always look nice when older hens school a cockerel. They will peck at him and make no secret of their annoyance. But it's for the cockerels own good, as I've learned.

 

[McChooky]

It was so sad. I understand there might be a little clumsiness at first, but he refused to stop. He wouldn’t stop until they submitted and he made them. It was so sad to see.

That sounds more of the roo experience I was hoping for. He’s only 3 months, and if he’s like this now, I worry for spring.

Yes. My cockerel Lucio is nine months old now -- almost a rooster -- and quite a young gentleman. He stands his ground during falcon warnings, gives all the treats he finds to his ladies, and knows that "no" means "no." Lucio spent his first five months of life in the company of older hens. By the time I brought in some younger pullets for him to woo and mate with, he had been schooled.

It doesn't always look nice when older hens school a cockerel. They will peck at him and make no secret of their annoyance. But it's for the cockerels own good, as I've learned.

The older girls teach them to be responsible gentlemen! Otherwise how will they learn?
Mine spend half their time running from or avoiding the hens and the other half avoiding each other.

 

[Jasfarm]

Cockerels should be separated from the pullets and turned out daily with the older girls.

We tried that today and made the mistake of letting him even remotely close to the pullets and he went after one and hurt her. So he’s in a separate pen now

 

[Jasfarm]

Yes. My cockerel Lucio is nine months old now -- almost a rooster -- and quite a young gentleman. He stands his ground during falcon warnings, gives all the treats he finds to his ladies, and knows that "no" means "no." Lucio spent his first five months of life in the company of older hens. By the time I brought in some younger pullets for him to woo and mate with, he had been schooled.

It doesn't always look nice when older hens school a cockerel. They will peck at him and make no secret of their annoyance. But it's for the cockerels own good, as I've learned.

I think this is where we went wrong and failed him. We should have kept the pullets in their separate area and put the cockerels with the big girls.