Should I keep the rooster

[xoxodanamarie]

We have 5 hens, Ameraucana and RIR I think. On July 4 I hatched 3 chicks, the Jersey Giant rooster being the only survivor. We were excited to have a rooster, figuring he would provide protection, as we let our girls free range our property, going in to the coop only to lay eggs or at night to roost. He’s a sweet boy, even allows me to pet him, but I’m worried about the girls. None of them want anything to do with him and even team up to help fight him off except for one hen. He knows he can get to her and he’s just ABUSING her but she doesn’t fight back or avoid him. I don’t know if I should allow this to continue and let nature take its course or give him to the farm down the street that happily offered to take him. Thoughts?

 

[aart]

If he's making you unhappy, stressing or injuring your hens,
send him down the road(literally in this case, eh?)
The only reason one really needs a male bird in the flock is if you want fertile eggs.
Tho chicken mating is not pretty, can seem violent to us...could be the hens have just not accepted him yet, tho they should have by 6 months....unless they are not laying.
A 'good' cock/erel will not try to mate non-laying females.

 

[Pretty Birds]

If he's making you unhappy, stressing or injuring your hens,
send him down the road

I agree. If he is hurting the hens he needs to go.