Rooster trying to mate/hurt other chickens? What to do??

[Pukkits]

Chickens have a survival part of their brain that is rather primitive. If there aren't perceived to be enough resources, it causes a lot of stress leading to destructive behaviors and often illness. It's not uncommon for chickens to try to kill other chickens to give themselves more space, food, or for roosters hens to mate with, to eliminate the competition. This is why it's so important for chickens to have adequate space in a coop/house and run.

 

[Mrs. K]

People often have the misconception that if the birds are raised together, they will be life long friends. That is not the case, it has almost no influence on their behavior.

SPACE however, has a huge amount of influence on their behavior. It allows birds to get away from each other, allows them to get out of sight, and it allows them to eat in peace. Even how that space is set up can influence behavior.

What was more than adequate space when the birds were chicks, rapidly becomes not enough space when they get bigger. And you are running out of time. Birds really do not wait for a coop to be built, they are overcrowded now.

Would this be the way he was raised/treated?

Inadequate space will cause this, not people intervention, but also genetics. An aggressive cockerel does not improve. The over crowding due to the space definitely aggravates it, but the bad news is I would not expect this to get better even in a bigger coop. Once they have become aggressive they tend to stay that way.

Strongly consider removing the cockerels from the set up permanently. I would recommend rehoming them or other ways of culling them. They can kill your pullets, especially in that small of space. But at least get them out of the pullets space in a dog crate or something. I would not keep 2 roosters unless I had the space for more than 25 birds. Too many cockerels cause a lot of problems.

By pulling out the two cockerels, you make more space in the brooder for the pullets that you have. It is still not enough space, but it will help.

But birds need to be outside in sunshine, shade and fresh air. They really are not an indoor pet, although their are people that keep one or two birds inside, for most birds, they are better off outside.

Mrs K