Rooster Won't Stop Pacing Fence

[Serenity06]

I have a 1 year old rooster that I hatched last year and he has to be separated from the rest of my flock as I already have another rooster and not enough hens for both (I currently have 12 hens) plus the roosters would fight if they could get to each other. Anyway this rooster has been physically separated from everyone but still able to see the other chickens for about 2 months now and he STILL just paces the fence day in and day out. He has to be leaving at some point as his food, water, and coop is out of sight of the rest of the chickens. But since I see him pacing constantly I'm guessing he only leaves to eat, drink, and sleep. And he doesn't even sleep until it's so dark he can't see anymore which is well after everyone else has gone to bed. He has far more space than the rest of the flock because where he is was formerly used for goats. So he has plenty of room to free range yet he chooses to pace back and forth. I don't have anywhere else to put him and I thought him at least being able to be near and see the other chickens would be good for him but he just seems to be stressing himself out. Should I do anything about this and if so what?

 

[sourland]

It's perfectly normal for flock creatures to want to be with the flock. It sounds as if he has survived for two months even though he would be happier with a flock of his own.

 

[AidKD]

He's a rooster, so it doesn't matter how much space you have for him, if he can see the hens and he's by himself away from them, he's gonna go crazy. Either buy more hens asap or I would suggest culling him. Cause at this point it sounds like you don't really have a use for him, so it sounds like it could go on indefinitely.

 

[Serenity06]

He's a rooster, so it doesn't matter how much space you have for him, if he can see the hens and he's by himself away from them, he's gonna go crazy. Either buy more hens asap or I would suggest culling him. Cause at this point it sounds like you don't really have a use for him, so it sounds like it could go on indefinitely.

I'm working on that actually. I have 4 young pullets right now and I'm hoping to get 4 more in June so if he can just wait until fall it won't really be an issue. I also previously had a rooster in the same situation but he didn't seem to mind not being physically with the hens so I didn't see this being a big problem when I initially separated him.

 

[aart]

Having more females will not necessarily solve the males fighting problem.

 

[Serenity06]

Having more females will not necessarily solve the males fighting problem.

True but I would have enough for them to both have 10 hens in separate areas if need be.

 

[aart]

True but I would have enough for them to both have 10 hens in separate areas if need be.

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.

 

[AidKD]

I'm working on that actually. I have 4 young pullets right now and I'm hoping to get 4 more in June so if he can just wait until fall it won't really be an issue. I also previously had a rooster in the same situation but he didn't seem to mind not being physically with the hens so I didn't see this being a big problem when I initially separated him.

Hmmmm, is there a way so you can separate him from them completely. So he can't see them?

 

[Serenity06]

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.

If abuse/over mating starts to pose an issue I will again separate one of the roosters or get more hens. Space is not an issue and since I don't plan on hatching anytime soon neither is fertility efficiency.

 

[Serenity06]

Hmmmm, is there a way so you can separate him from them completely. So he can't see them?

Sadly I don't have anywhere to safely put him that he wouldn't be able to see them at all. The only other two housing options I have are not mobile and still within sight.