Rooster pecking at hens/pullets, is that normal?

[hysop]

I have the nicest rooster. Nice to me that is.

I have a mix of 18 pullets and hens in 1,600 sqft of run space with that one rooster.

I see my rooster pecking at the girls. Not enough to cause concern, but just curious if that’s normal or is he being mean?

He doesn’t peck only one, it’s random ones, possibly all of them. When he does they get outta the way.

Could it be that he’s frustrated he hasn’t been getting any due to the time of year? will he be nicer once they’re all ready to mate again?

 

[azygous]

He's communicating with them when he pecks them. Chickens use their beaks for many things, eating, exploring new things, and communicating with each other.

A peck by a rooster or other senior flock member on the back of a youngster means to convey that they are to mind their manners and not step out of their places as subordinate members of the flock.

 

[hysop]

He's communicating with them when he pecks them. Chickens use their beaks for many things, eating, exploring new things, and communicating with each other.

A peck by a rooster or other senior flock member on the back of a youngster means to convey that they are to mind their manners and not step out of their places as subordinate members of the flock.

Okay thank you! I was just wondering because I had never seen him do that. But this is a new flock; the youngest pullet is 7 months old. He is the oldest in the flock at 3ish years old.