Rooster in with the hens

[Frampton]

Quick question: Is it ok for the rooster to be left with the 2 hens that are sitting on eggs? He is extremely aggressive with me when I have tried to go in to check on them. Will he hurt the chicks when they hatch?

 

[goldies99]

I don't think I would leave him with the hens.....I would keep the broodys separate

 

[JeanR]

He may. But some roosters will actually help raise chicks. I don't risk it, but others do just fine. Be careful not to annoy him when you check the hens, as he may become more aggressive. My pens are quite large , and I let the rooster stay with his 2 setting hens, in their own nest box (cardboard boxes with a hole cut in the side, nice and private--makes a box for chicks for a while, then dumped and clean ones furnished for the next laying cycle.). until just before they hatch. Then I move each and her box to their own wire cages to hatch without bother and each broods her chicks.. The rooster just has to wait until they wean their chicks and return--or may be given 2 different hens, if it is in the long term plans......

 

[Frampton]

He has attacked me, he ran at me yesterday and I closed the coop door before he got to me but he just slammed into the door full speed anyway. As soon as I go into coop he gets in between me and the hens and starts flushing his neck feathers, is this normal behavior, is he being protective?