Rough rooster

[robyn8]

I tend to leave things alone to heal unless they are bleeding. You can pluck broken or bleeding feathers to stop it.

Hens will often hang out by the rooster, they quickly come to rely on him to be a look out.

If I pluck the broken feathers will they bleed? They'll only grow back if the feather is completely gone right? I have a feeling he'll just keep injuring her more if the feathers don't grow back even if he's not being overly rough, since now there's a bald patch.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They shouldn't bleed if plucked. Use your own judgment on whether it needs it or not. Broken feathers won't grow back until the molt if not removed. If hens are constantly mated their feathers won't grow back either.

At this point I might be thinking about no rooster or a different one. I raise many and I keep many roosters. The ones I don't keep are bad to the hens. Hens should be comfortable and happy with their rooster, not harassed and hurt by them.

There are lots of roosters that could use a good home, so I personally move on from a bad one and try again. He may or may not improve. I personally would keep him separately until fall if I was trying to hold on to him to see if he calms down.

 

[robyn8]

They shouldn't bleed if plucked. Use your own judgment on whether it needs it or not. Broken feathers won't grow back until the molt if not removed. If hens are constantly mated their feathers won't grow back either.

At this point I might be thinking about no rooster or a different one. I raise many and I keep many roosters. The ones I don't keep are bad to the hens. Hens should be comfortable and happy with their rooster, not harassed and hurt by them.

There are lots of roosters that could use a good home, so I personally move on from a bad one and try again. He may or may not improve. I personally would keep him separately until fall if I was trying to hold on to him to see if he calms down.

Thanks again for your advice! He is our 4th attempt at a nice rooster. I actually thought he was doing really well until last week. I'll give him one more chance after this injury and if he's still an issue he'll be dinner.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Most of mine do end up nice but many need to be managed as they mature. I do it because I don't like my hens being harassed by an over eager teenager.

Some I manage for up to 2 years before I no longer need to intervene. I may get too involved compared to others, but I like things harmonious here. We've culled a few just because they were too much, and only one because he was downright mean and stupid as roosters go.

Once you get a rooster to full maturity most are assets, and a pleasure to have around.

Another thing is I keep multiple roosters that keep each other in check. A single rooster has no one to correct his bad behaviors but you, so it may take a bit longer and more effort on your part.

 

[robyn8]

I think one might be worth trying a bit longer. He's really the best we've had yet in terms of behavior to the hens and us. He doesn't seem that agrresive when he mates and it's entirely possible another hen caused the comb damage. Or maybe I'm just hoping he's not that bad, lol. Just so I have a better understanding of nice rooster behavior is it normal for a mature rooster to want to mate first thing in the am and chase the girls around a bit? My girls do usually submit to him but every am there's a bit of chasing and them trying to get away up on the roosts and stuff. If he's not damaging them, is that behavior normal and acceptable? They don't seem to mind him the rest of the day.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I think one might be worth trying a bit longer. He's really the best we've had yet in terms of behavior to the hens and us. He doesn't seem that agrresive when he mates and it's entirely possible another hen caused the comb damage. Or maybe I'm just hoping he's not that bad, lol. Just so I have a better understanding of nice rooster behavior is it normal for a mature rooster to want to mate first thing in the am and chase the girls around a bit? My girls do usually submit to him but every am there's a bit of chasing and them trying to get away up on the roosts and stuff. If he's not damaging them, is that behavior normal and acceptable? They don't seem to mind him the rest of the day.

I am the worst person to ask that question of as I'm not an early morning person. From my reading it's perfectly normal for roosters to be feeling spunky in the morning. My guess is they are all about displaying and marking their territory early, that's why crowing is more associated with mornings.

I think as he gets past spring and the heat of Sumner begins he will mellow out, and by fall he will be looking more gentlemanly.

 

[robyn8]

I am the worst person to ask that question of as I'm not an early morning person. From my reading it's perfectly normal for roosters to be feeling spunky in the morning. My guess is they are all about displaying and marking their territory early, that's why crowing is more associated with mornings.

I think as he gets past spring and the heat of Sumner begins he will mellow out, and by fall he will be looking more gentlemanly.

Thanks so much! I have a good feeling about this guy. I'm hoping the quick spring warm up we had got to him and he'll settle down.

 

[robyn8]

I've come full circle on my thoughts about my rooster. He's been in a 4 ft dog kennel for 2 days now and he's extremely unhappy and stressed. I decided not to attempt to pluck my hens broken feathers. I don't want to cause her more pain. She just finished a molt so it will be a long time before her feathers are full again. I can't leave this guy locked up that long. So I decided to cull him. My husband will do it when he gets home early sometime this week and then he will be dinner. He had a good life and now he will provide food for our family. We have hens that like to go broody so there will be more boys. We will try again with another cockerel. Thanks again for all the advice!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sounds like the best decision. Hopefully your next boy is a better fit.