Rooster is too big? Too rough?

[OzarkChooks]

We recently reintroduced our 10 month old Brahma cockerel back with the flock. There are 6 hens and 9 pullets (10 months). He has been nice to them and doesn't chase them down or do anything overtly aggressive. He usually just walks up to them and they immediately squat down. I assumed that was a good sign. The problem is that everytime he mates one, feathers fly everywhere. I have 6 girls wearing saddles now and will probably need more. Is this normal? He isn't being rough....is he too big? It almost looks like it's hard for him to balance. My previous cockerel, who was the same age, never had this issue. How do I prevent this?

 

[nchls school]

What breed are the hens/pullets? If they are a smaller breed, then yes, it does sound like a size problem. Your choices are; saddles for all the females, separation, or replace him with a smaller roo. If the birds are just for eggs a rooster is not needed. As a guardian for the females a smaller roo will do just as well. Should you wish to get chicks from this rooster then you likely need saddles on all the girls.

 

[TheFatBlueCat]

He may get better at it with practice. I've had a leghorn cockerel who really was quite useless at mating (slid all over the place) and my big barred rock flock rooster is so gentle and so balanced not a single hen has a feather out of place.

Could be the size difference although my big guy has no trouble with the smaller girls. Bantams are out of the question though.

Wait and see if he figures it out, if your girls are OK and you really like this dude. He sounds very nice in all other respects.

 

[OzarkChooks]

We free range in spring and summer. So that's why we want a rooster.
I have 4 brahma pullets and they are some of the only ones who don't look bald. I have some smaller hens, no bantams though. I have one salmon faverolle who absolutely is not on board with having him around. She has been hiding a lot, which makes me nervous. Maybe I brought him back too soon. I was thinking of putting him in the cockerel pen to give them a break so their feathers grow back. Some of their back are even getting cuts on them from his nails.

 

[3KillerBs]

I have 4 brahma pullets and they are some of the only ones who don't look bald.

I had a Brahma rooster in my in-town flock and likewise saw that only the Brahma girls could hang onto their feathers.

First thing would be to make sure his toenails and spurs aren't sharp -- trimming or filing them round and smooth.

 

[OzarkChooks]

I had a Brahma rooster in my in-town flock and likewise saw that only the Brahma girls could hang onto their feathers.

First thing would be to make sure his toenails and spurs aren't sharp -- trimming or filing them round and smooth.

I could kick myself for not thinking of doing this. What do you recommend for nail trimming?

 

[3KillerBs]

I could kick myself for not thinking of doing this. What do you recommend for nail trimming?

Do you have some dog/cat type nail scissors? Just like a dog or cat you don't want to go too deep and make them bleed.

You could file them down with a nailfile too.

I've done a few toenails by just nipping off the tips, but never trimmed spurs.