Rooster problems?

[AllisonLea4565]

Hello! So I recently got a rooster from a friend, he had been abandoned by his previous owner and we took him. He's a pretty sweet boy! We introduced him to our 4 month old ladies (he's not much older) and they are great together.

So now we got him three more pullets around 3 months old. They get along ok with the other ladies so far (the pecking order seems to be established) but it seems like the rooster is becoming a bit of a bully? Or maybe it's just totally normal and will stop soon enough. It's hard to tell if he's being TOO aggressive or if he's just doing normal young rooster behavior. He chases one of the new birds around and has already tried to mount her. The poor thing screams every time. Is there anything I should be doing or will this all work it's self out soon enough? Thank you!

 

[mymilliefleur]

It's normal behavior for the rooster to try to breed the new girls. However, at 16 weeks they are not quite laying age and haven't learned to submit to him. In another month or two when they are about to start laying they will start squatting for him.
If you think he is really making their lives miserable, then you could keep him separate for a few weeks and give the girls more time to mature.

 

[AllisonLea4565]

Okay thank you! That's a good idea. If he seems to really be bothering them I'll separate them.

 

[aart]

Males will become sexually 'mature' a couple months before females.
Depending on demeanor of birds involved and space provided,
this can cause undue stress, and sometimes injury, for all involved.

Agrees, separation is a good option.

FYI.....semantics, maybe, but can be important communication terms when discussing chicken behavior.
Female chickens are called pullets until one year of age, then they are called hens.
Male chickens are called cockerels until one year of age, then they are called cocks(or cockbirds or roosters).