Rooster Questions

[Enchanted1s]

Hi All - So we acquired chickens this year and have been reading and learning a lot here at BYC. Thank you all! So, I have some questions about our rooster. We first got one hen that flew over from the neighbors. No one could catch her and she stayed. Neighbor then threw over a rooster to keep her company (long story) anyway, then we were a flock of 2 and I was convinced that she was staying so I built them a coop - two days later - two new pullets appear in the coop!

Anyway - Rudy (the rooster) was being quite a gentleman with Tootie (the original hen). He didn't seem to mind when the pullets arrived, but as they have started growing up - Rudy is MEAN to one of them. He doesn't like for her to eat OR to go to bed in their nest box. I think he may have got a little frost bite on his comb, and he seems to be holding up one of his feet a lot. NOW, he seems to be becoming more aggressive with both of the pullets. He chases them out of the nest box at night - repeatedly. The American Game Hen pullets are determined and keep returning to the box until he finally lets them stay, but this is not good.

Do roosters usually sleep with the hens? If I build another box for roosting at night, in the same coop, would they separate themselves? OR - is it time for him to go to freezer camp. I don't want to make that decision to hastily. He has been a very good rooster - and continues to be to Tootie. But he is acting like he is a one hen kinda cock! LOL

Your wisdom appreciated.

 

[17 chickens]

Do you have roost in your coop or just nesting boxes? They shouldn't be sleeping in boxes they need roost. If you can you should have a couple of roost at different height so the higher pecking order is at the top. Or in this case the higher roost. More info on you coop would be great.

 

[Saaniya]

I've only Roosters not hens ..so I don't know whether hens or roo sleep together or not although ..
My rooster's sleep together like brothers crow exact on 3:30 am poor my neighbors wake up.so early

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

@chickens really @lazy gardener @Folly's place any ideas?

 

[chickens really]

Yes, you need some roosts or Block them off at night to train them to Roost...

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Rudy is MEAN to one of them. He doesn't like for her to eat OR to go to bed in their nest box.

I think he may have got a little frost bite on his comb, and he seems to be holding up one of his feet a lot. NOW, he seems to be becoming more aggressive with both of the pullets. He chases them out of the nest box at night - repeatedly. The American Game Hen pullets are determined and keep returning to the box until he finally lets them stay, but this is not good.

Can you post some photos of all the chickens and your housing (inside of it too)?
Also if you can provide information on the size (square footage) of the housing and run (outside space) that would be great.
What type of food/treats do you feed?
Do you know the ages of the chickens?

Not letting the pullet eat is going to be your first concern - add another feed station or if he consistently prevents her from eating, then separate him out. A bird that is being bullied and kept from food will decline in health fairly quickly from stress and lack of nutrition.

Does your housing have any roosting bars/poles? If you have a roosting area - block of the nests about 30minutes before they go to bed - this should encourage them to start roosting.

You mention the pullets are American Game - is this the breed of all the chickens or is it just the pullets?

Photo of the comb and the foot - if you feel like the rooster has frostbite - we will be happy to take a look.

 

[Folly's place]

WR has it; more information will really help!
It sounds like there may be too little space, no useful roosting spaces, and issues with access to food (and water?).
Pictures!
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

I just found your thread about ventilation, with pictures. It helps!
Mary

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Photos taken from OP's thread here - this helps to see the space in question. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ventilation-help-please.1211776/

also found photos of some of the chickens here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/pullet-whats-wrong-with-her-feet.1210348/

I would still like to see a photo of the rooster

I agree these are game fowl pullets/hens - age may be important. Space could be one of your major issues in them not getting along very well. Someone that raises gamefowl like @centrarchid or @chickengeorgeto may have some better suggestions about their care than I do.

The only thing I can suggest is to block off the nesting boxes to encourage roosting. Provide an extra feeder and consider separating the rooster if he is beating up on the girls. He may be young as well and hormonal. As far as condition - to my untrained eye, they look good as of when the photo was taken on Dec. 1st(?), but you want to make sure they are getting to eat. If you don't know the age of the chickens, then you may want to feed something like an all flock/flock raiser feed - this is 18-20%protein.

 

[chickens really]

Photos taken from OP's thread here - this helps to see the space in question. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ventilation-help-please.1211776/

also found photos of some of the chickens here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/pullet-whats-wrong-with-her-feet.1210348/

I would still like to see a photo of the rooster

I agree these are game fowl pullets/hens - age may be important. Space could be one of your major issues in them not getting along very well. Someone that raises gamefowl like @centrarchid or @chickengeorgeto may have some better suggestions about their care than I do.

The only thing I can suggest is to block off the nesting boxes to encourage roosting. Provide an extra feeder and consider separating the rooster if he is beating up on the girls. He may be young as well and hormonal. As far as condition - to my untrained eye, they look good as of when the photo was taken on Dec. 1st(?), but you want to make sure they are getting to eat. If you don't know the age of the chickens, then you may want to feed something like an all flock/flock raiser feed - this is 18-20%protein.