Rooster not being very gentlemanly with the ladies.

[dragonmorgan]

I have a Buff Brahma roo that is just over a year old and he is bein very rough with the hens. I have 2 roos and 9 hens, used to have more but we lost a few over the winter. The other roo, an EE, is pretty nice to them. He at least sometimes does the dance for them. Anyway he seems to always be tryin to jump on one and when he does finally wrangle one under himself he just stomps on them and doesnt really accomplish much. The EE just hops on and does the job no problem. He will also grab them by the back of the head and try to mount them even if they aren't submitting. The just end up turnin in a circle with him holdin onto their head feathers. If they manage to get away he chases them around the run. He won't give up and leave them alone either and the chase goes on for a while. All the hens are missin most of the feathers on the back of their heads. Their backs and tail feathers look fine so I don't think they need saddles. Has anyone ever tried helmets?

We let them out today to free range for the first time ever and he couldn't figure out how to get out the door, it's a small one at the back of the coop, so he just ran the fence line makin noises at all the hens. Well one of them went back into the coop and he did his normal feather pullin chasing thing. They were making so much noise that the other roo got all nervous and ran over to investigate thinking one of his hens was in trouble. Finally she jumped back out of the coop and he followed her out and started chasin her around the yard. DH finally got tired of seein him be so mean to her and scooped him up. He doesn't do any of the nice things I've heard other roos do, like finding them bugs or sharing treats or whatever. But the EE roo doesn't do any of that stuff either.

Anyway is there something I can do? These are our first flock and we really like both of the roos. I would hate to send one to camp but will if it comes down to it. could I just seperate him off for a bit? How long would be long enough? I would like to think that it is just his youth that is the main cause of it but I don't want to keep him around waitin for him to grow out of something that he won't ever grow out of. He's good with people and that's important because I have small kids.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Roosters mating is much more the violent act than what people not used to seeing it expect. It is what it is, especially with young roosters who are often overly "into it". It isn't romance. It is dominance and reproduction.

Two roosters with only 8 or 9 females is unlikely to work. That's simply too much activity and competition among the roosters both trying to interact with the hens. It is important to have a rooster who does his job. You want your hens fertile if you want chicks. As a rooster gains experience and ages, he'll slow down in his aggressive pursuit of the hens.

Roosters can be penned up in separate quarters. They don't need to be pounding on the hens 365 days a year, only during breeding season is their presence absolutely necessary.

 

[dragonmorgan]

The Other Roo Isnt Near As Rough As This One Is. They Arent Essential To The Flock Since I Dont Plan On Lettin Any Eggs Hatch But I Would Like.To Allow Them To Free Range The Yard More And Would Like To Have A Roo To Help Protect Them And Look After Them While They Are Out. I Have Quite A Few Yard Cats And Some "Wild" Ones That I Want The Roos To Guard Against. We Have 2 Because So Far They Have Been Good And I Havent Really Had A Reason To Do Anything With Them. Plus I Have 4 More Hens And 2 Roos That Are Gettin Ready To Be Added To The Flock. I Dont Plan On Addin The Extra Roos. Not Sure What To Do With Them Yet, Prolly Just Make Them Yard Birds Or Something.

Anyway I Am Fine Goin With Only 1 Rooster If That Would Be Better. c

 

[Chickens R Us]

I have 1 rooster with 9 hens and he is to much for them, I would not go 2 roos to 9 hens. I have purchased a lot more chicks this spring but I have to wait for them to grow up to mix my flocks. I also free range so I need a roo.