Strange rooster behavior

[arcycarr2]

A few years ago my baby roosters all became crippled - one at a time. I couldn't figure out what was wrong. They'd be fine and then they couldn't walk, but just drug themselves around. No one else could figure it out either until one day I caught my rooster throwing a baby into the air and dropping on gravel. He was literally breaking their backs. He left the little hens alone, but the little rooster would be fine for a day or so and then he'd be crippled. Didn't want competition, I guess. The adult rooster has been fertilizing my flower bed ever since.

 

[DobieLover]

A few years ago my baby roosters all became crippled - one at a time. I couldn't figure out what was wrong. They'd be fine and then they couldn't walk, but just drug themselves around. No one else could figure it out either until one day I caught my rooster throwing a baby into the air and dropping on gravel. He was literally breaking their backs. He left the little hens alone, but the little rooster would be fine for a day or so and then he'd be crippled. Didn't want competition, I guess. The adult rooster has been fertilizing my flower bed ever since.

Were the cockerel chicks his?

 

[arcycarr2]

Were the cockerel chicks his?

Yes, they were. They'd get to be several weeks old and then suddenly be dragging themselves around until I'd take pity and put them down. Since he left the little hens alone it had to be a way to get rid of possible rivals.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

They can be vicious. I recently lost my favorite rooster that had become unwell. The other roosters sensed he was weak and killed him.