Rooster Help!!

[Asutherland723]

I have a NH Red Rooster, not sure how old he is (we got him from a friend, he was aggressive towards them and the other male rooster they had) he has had no signs of aggressive behaviors towards us and is actually friendly with us since we've taken him. He has been with just one hen for the past few months. We have eight 6 week old chicks that have been out in the coop separated since day one when we got them. Last night we let them out to be introduced and the hen was amazing we had no issues with her and she seems to be mothering them a bit. The rooster on the other hand I am not sure about. He will pick the chicks up by the back of the head and shake them a bit or pin them down. Not sure if this is "normal" pecking order or if he is actually trying to kill them. Our chickens do not free range in the yard as we have a lot of predators that would kill them where we live. They do have a fenced in pen that they go out everyday. But I am unsure if I should put up a temporary fence inside the coop to keep him away from the chicks longer or if this is normal pecking order behavior.

 

[The Moonshiner]

Not normal but normal for a jerk rooster.
If left alone with them he will surely kill some or all.
I would never trust him with anything other then fully grown hens and even with them I would be worried.

 

[meetthebubus]

Keep them seperated pecking order is usually just that a peck or a bit of a chase the chicks need to be much older before interaction they need to be first introduced by sight only via fence separation when they are much bigger I would integrate then ...he'll know then who they are and probably know they are his future girls once they get to that stage

 

[TheTwoRoos]

There is no reason to be worried with grown hens.Lots of time chciks won’t get accepted until laying,lots of times.And yes,it is what I consider fairly normal,considering the fact almost chickens are aggressive towards newcomers.Defiantly keep them separated because he likely would kill them.Best to wait till their about four or so months old.

 

[Chickassan]

Agree, if you're set on that roo keep those chicks seperate until the sizes are more even and even then keep a good eye on him. I won't keep a roo that I have to worry about the youngsters with, I need a protector not a problem. This is your roo though, good luck with him, I hope he eventually gets better with chicks.

 

[RWise]

I myself would not keep this rooster, IF you do separate him from the chicks! He IMHO should not have been re-homed to you, but butchered instead.

 

[aart]

He will pick the chicks up by the back of the head and shake them a bit or pin them down.

Unacceptable behavior.

I myself would not keep this rooster, IF you do separate him from the chicks! He IMHO should not have been re-homed to you, but butchered instead.

Ditto Dat^^^