Rooster reintroduction after separation from hens

[Luckymy3]

I have Lavender Ameraucanas, three hens, and a rooster about 4/5 years old who have been together for almost all their years. The rooster is mean. He had gone after me before I realized he would attack. I am careful now! However, that's not my main issue. He mates with the hens constantly till they're bald. He's not mean to the girls, though, just selfish, such as he'll sleep in the nest box when it's cold and leave the one that doesn't fit inside on the outside roost. I let his constant mating go the first year or two, and the girls ended up bald and, I think, cold. Then I tried saddles, which were difficult for the girls to wear continually, and this year separated the rooster. The girls seem better feather-wise; they are just finishing molt, and feathers come in beautifully, so there won't be a problem in the high to mid-30s this winter (I live in CA, so that happens occasionally). He can see and hear them from their separated coops, and when I let him or them out of each group separately (hens together then the Roo) to free range (once every couple of days), he badly wants to be back in their coop. Should I reintroduce him temporarily while they are free-ranging or leave them separated? I don't expect him to be nicer or get better, but maybe a little socialization will alleviate his stress. He has been separated for about three months, and I see his "desire" and frustration building as he crows and paces outside their coop when he is let out. The hens, I can't figure. Sometimes, when the girls are out, the dominant one will challenge him at his coop while he's inside, and other times, the three of them could care less what he's doing inside. I don't have the space to keep the girls and him solitare (never seeing or hearing each other). I don't want chicks from him, so I don't need fertilized eggs, and none of the girls have been broody. I don't think they miss him being inside their coop but he is a good watchdog when they used to free range together. I live in rural CA, coyote and hawk country. The reintroduction would be purely for socialization or stress reduction. Thoughts would be helpful.

 

[ChicNmom]

You don't have enough hens for him. If you are still free ranging them you could let him out while they are in the yard so he can relieve some frustrations. That will reduce the amount of time he has to tear up their backs. After 3 months there will probably be some fighting.

If you're not free ranging them then maybe you should rehome him to someone with a bigger flock who doesn't want a pet rooster.

 

[aart]

I don't need fertilized eggs

Get rid of him, the girls won't miss him at all.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Your motivations are a lot different from mine. I would never have kept a human aggressive rooster that never matured out of the teenage brat stage with the hens. There are too many good ones out there for me to keep one like that. He would not get any sympathy from me.

But it is your goals that count, not mine. I'm not sure what you hope to gain by giving him access to the girls. As he is still stripping feathers from their backs at his age I'd want to give them some peace. I'm not sure their stress would be reduced. Not sure his would either as you do not plan on leaving him with them.

Which way will your stress be reduced? Worrying about his feelings or worrying about the girls? It has to be your decision, the rest of us do not count.

 

[Luckymy3]

You don't have enough hens for him. If you are still free ranging them you could let him out while they are in the yard so he can relieve some frustrations. That will reduce the amount of time he has to tear up their backs. After 3 months there will probably be some fighting.

If you're not free ranging them then maybe you should rehome him to someone with a bigger flock who doesn't want a pet rooster.

Thanks, good point about not enough hens.

 

[Luckymy3]

Get rid of him, the girls won't miss him at all.

For sure, thanks for the response.

 

[Luckymy3]

You don't have enough hens for him. If you are still free ranging them you could let him out while they are in the yard so he can relieve some frustrations. That will reduce the amount of time he has to tear up their backs. After 3 months there will probably be some fighting.

If you're not free ranging them then maybe you should rehome him to someone with a bigger flock who doesn't want a pet rooster.

Interesting. How many hens is a good amount? I'm just curious. Not that I would get more now, so in the end, rehoming is probably the best solution. Thanks.

 

[aart]

How many hens is a good amount? I'm just curious.

There is no magic number.
The 'rooster' to hen ratio of 1:10 that is often cited is primarily for fertility efficiency in commercial breeding facilities.
It doesn't mean that if a cockbird has 10 hens that he won't abuse or over mate them.
Many breeders keep pairs, trios, quads, etc ....short term and/or long term.
It all depends on the temperaments of the cock and hens and sometimes housing provided.
Backyard flocks can achieve good fertility with a larger ratio.

 

[McChooky]

Get rid of him, the girls won't miss him at all.

I agree 100%! He's a jerk! Get rid of him!

 

[McChooky]

Interesting. How many hens is a good amount? I'm just curious. Not that I would get more now, so in the end, rehoming is probably the best solution. Thanks.

I had 2 but one chased and over mate them until I gave him away.It doesn't matter how many hens you give a bad rooster. He'll still find a reason to abuse them