Should I keep this rooster or not?

[Ebz5003]

I have a 7 month old Buff Brahma rooster, Franklin, in a flock of 36 hens and 3 other Silkie roosters, none of which bother the hens much. Franklin seems to like just 2 or 3 of the hens much more than the others and doesn't even mate half the time- instead harasses by stepping on the ( smaller breed chickens, so MUCH smaller than him) and sitting on top of the hen with both feet on the back, and chasing them and doing this over and over. He has been mating with many of the hens, and pulls out lots of feathers as time goes on. Ive noticed 2 of these small breed hens are hiding behind a pallet in the run during the day, possibly to get away from him. I put saddles on the 3 hens with the worst feather loss, but now I see a bunch more hens that need these. I am worried that this rooster is causing too much stress in a few hens. Other than these problems, he is a great protector at night, alwrting the hens in the run to danger, and great feeder/ protector when they free-range. He also does not mess with me, which is huge. What should I do- is he too big for my flock? I am thinking I may need to cull him.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Sounds like he is causing stress in the flock and is not a good fit with them. I'll quote @Mrs. K and say, "always solve for peace in the flock." If you really want to keep him, maybe you could keep him in a separate pen for a couple of months to let him mature and his hormones to settle down and let him try again. Meanwhile, your head hen may take over his protective duties, alerting the flock to danger. If he were mine, I would remove him.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Oh (sorry, I always seem to have second thoughts, lol) - do you NEED a rooster? Do you plan to hatch eggs? If not, you really don't need a rooster at all.

 

[Ebz5003]

Sounds like he is causing stress in the flock and is not a good fit with them. I'll quote @Mrs. K and say, "always solve for peace in the flock." If you really want to keep him, maybe you could keep him in a separate pen for a couple of months to let him mature and his hormones to settle down and let him try again. Meanwhile, your head hen may take over his protective duties, alerting the flock to danger. If he were mine, I would remove hi

Oh (sorry, I always seem to have second thoughts, lol) - do you NEED a rooster? Do you plan to hatch eggs? If not, you really don't need a rooster at all.

Yes, I am hatching eggs, but not purebred ones so, not sure this rooster is necessary

 

[LaFleche]

Apparently, he is a brute with your hens and having them hide away all day to avoid him is a sure sign to make finding him a new home with Brahma only hens a priority.

 

[Mrs. K]

I don't really think he is working out for you. I know it is hard, I myself has one that is just not fitting what I want in a rooster. But getting the gumption to do something about has not quite risen yet.

A lot of people have problems with running bantam and full size birds together. It often has problems due to the size difference.

Mrs K