Rough rooster

[robyn8]

I have 10 hens, 1 rooster. Roo is 8 months old, 3 hens are 1.5 year old, 5 hens are 10 mos old, 2 are 8 mos. all seem to submit to roo from what ive seen. But I noticed last night one of my older hens was bleeding from her comb and another one tonight I saw bleeding after he mated her. A 3rd older hen is missing a bunch of wing feather that are broken and were bleeding. A 4th hen who is 10 mos old is missing a ton of back feathers which is getting worse even though she has a saddle apron on. Is my roo (I know he's really a cockerel, lol) being too rough? The ones whose combs he's damaged have single combs all the others have pea or rose combs so I'm thinking that's why those ones are ok. No one has any signs of parasites and I'd think I'd see some more feather lose on everyone if parasites are an issue.

Should I cull the roo or give him more time to mature? I have a dog kennel in the coop I could put him in for a little while but I'd think he'd be real sad left in there more than a few days.

 

[chickens really]

First off he is a Cockerel and not a Rooster yet so immature. He is learning so Breeding for him is clumsy and a bit aggressive..He should settle down soon..Others will say remove him but then he won't know what he's doing still so the same thing happens..Just keep waiting..

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I personally remove them if they are too vigorous their first spring and wait until they mature more. I think your hens may appreciate a break whether temporary or permanent.

This time of year hormones are surging due to increased lighting, so some young roosters can be too eager. Most settle down by the time it starts to get hot out, but some need until fall under decreasing light.

 

[robyn8]

Would you keep him in the dog kennel for a few months? Or do you have a separate coop? I'm just to figure out th logistics. We only have the one coop. What about part of the day in th kennel and part out?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Would you keep him in the dog kennel for a few months? Or do you have a separate coop? I'm just to figure out th logistics. We only have the one coop. What about part of the day in th kennel and part out?

I have kept mine in pens for months, nothing elaborate or big. Some stay in, and some go in and out depending on my tolerance of his actions. I always pen them where they can interact through a fence with the hens.

Most young roosters learn manners, and patience being penned. They learn how to sweet talk the hens through the fence, calling them over when given treats. Most that I manage in this manner turn out to be great roosters, they just need help getting through adolescence.

 

[robyn8]

I'd like for him to work out. He's good with us people, is pretty quiet and does watch out for predators already. He calls the girls over for treats all the time. Hopefully it's just these warmer days we've had that have gotten up all worked up. I'll try putting him in a cage for a few days and see how he does.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They can't always help themselves, hormones can make them crazy, so just removing him as much as necessary is a great way to get through spring with your hens intact.

 

[chickens really]

They can't always help themselves, hormones can make them crazy, so just removing him as much as necessary is a great way to get through spring with your hens intact.

 

[robyn8]

Ok I'll try giving the girls a break and set him up in the dog kennel. It's a 4 ft dog kennel so it's a decent amount of space. Once the girls have healed up I'll try letting him out for part of the day and see how he does. I understand that he's young and hormonal. But I hate to see my hens hurt. They were here first and my loyalty is to them. I'll give him some time though.

 

[bobbi-j]

Ok I'll try giving the girls a break and set him up in the dog kennel. It's a 4 ft dog kennel so it's a decent amount of space. Once the girls have healed up I'll try letting him out for part of the day and see how he does. I understand that he's young and hormonal. But I hate to see my hens hurt. They were here first and my loyalty is to them. I'll give him some time though.

You know that when you let him out, he'll probably be more "vigorous" at first, right? He'll have been separated, hormones working, and need that release. Do you really need a rooster? Are you planning on breeding? If not, I would suggest a hens only flock for you. Then you won't have to worry about the wear and tear on your hens from an over active cockerel. I think he'll likely settle down as he gets older, but it's your choice entirely. I have never separated an active cockerel from my flock. I guess it just never occurred to me to do so. But my chickens have always free ranged, so maybe the hens have had a chance to get away from the cockerels as they were going through that hormonal stage.