To cull or not to cull? That is the question

[Twohavanese]

I have 11 hens and one unplanned 5-6 month old rooster (sent by the hatchery). Our setup:

- Older hens just started laying
- Not free-ranging yet (finishing backyard fence)
- Automatic coop door for nighttime safety
- Located in North Florida

## Rooster Behavior:

- Guards feeder, pecks some hens away
- Chases hens, causing stress
- Tame with humans (allows handling)

## Concerns:

1. Is this normal rooster behavior?
2. Will he calm down once they can free-range?
3. What are my options?

a. Keep him
b. Cull him
c. Rehome him (Facebook Marketplace unsuccessful)

The rooster is a purebred Ancona. I'm hesitant about Craigslist, fearing he'll end up as someone's dinner.

Any advice on managing this situation or successfully rehoming him would be appreciated.

 

[GlicksChicks]

If he is not overly aggressive with the hens and hasn't hurt them, you can add a second feeding location in the coop. One rooster will have trouble keeping hens away from 2 feeding locations. I have 3 feeding locations. 2 in my coop and 1 in my run. I just split their daily feed into those 3 locations.

I think he is trying to breed with the hens, but they are not willing. Are all of them laying? The ones that are not laying will deny the advances of the rooster, which may cause a chase to ensue. Once they are all laying it may become more peaceful when it comes to him trying to breed with them.

 

[sourland]

He's a cockerel not a rooster - think unruly teenager. He will calm down but may be a real PITA while maturing. If his behavior becomes too unacceptable, remove him from the flock until he matures.

 

[Twohavanese]

If he is not overly aggressive with the hens and hasn't hurt them, you can add a second feeding location in the coop. One rooster will have trouble keeping hens away from 2 feeding locations. I have 3 feeding locations. 2 in my coop and 1 in my run. I just split their daily feed into those 3 locations.

I think he is trying to breed with the hens, but they are not willing. Are all of them laying? The ones that are not laying will deny the advances of the rooster, which may cause a chase to ensue. Once they are all laying it may become more peaceful when it comes to him trying to breed with them.

We just got our first eggs two days ago. So they have only recently started laying. And not all of them. We think only one of the older hens has started to lay. The younger ones are not laying yet. And some of them are pretty small.

 

[GlicksChicks]

We just got our first eggs two days ago. So they have only recently started laying. And not all of them. We think only one of the older hens has started to lay. The younger ones are not laying yet. And some of them are pretty small.

The chasing will probably happen until all the hens start laying. Roosters reach sexual maturity much faster than hens do. The rooster wants to do it, but the hens don't, resulting in the chase. But the rooster doesn't know who wants to and who doesn't, because he is new to it and doesn't see the signs of a hen reciprocating the feelings.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

He's a cockerel not a rooster - think unruly teenager. He will calm down but may be a real PITA while maturing. If his behavior becomes too unacceptable, remove him from the flock until he matures.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Agree that it's too soon to decide. When you start free ranging them, it could help his attitude, and you could have a real winner IF you want a Rooster. Do you have a purebred Ancona hen? I have found that if you really have to make sure he's not going to a soup pot, trade him and a hen as a breeding pair with someone who breeds (via Craigslist.)

 

[Twohavanese]

Agree that it's too soon to decide. When you start free ranging them, it could help his attitude, and you could have a real winner IF you want a Rooster. Do you have a purebred Ancona hen? I have found that if you really have to make sure he's not going to a soup pot, trade him and a hen as a breeding pair with someone who breeds (via Craigslist.)

We do have a purebred Ancona hen, yes. That is actually a GREAT idea. Thank you for that advice!! I think we'll keep him around for awhile and see if he chills out. Thank you again! I never considered offering them as a breeding pair.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

We do have a purebred Ancona hen, yes. That is actually a GREAT idea. Thank you for that advice!! I think we'll keep him around for awhile and see if he chills out. Thank you again! I never considered offering them as a breeding pair.

Works for me everytime and usually they think I'm crazy to give up a breading pair. But we all have different objectives. I traded a pair of Lavender Orps for 1 one Welsummer pullet. She's been laying gorgeous eggs for 5 years. Win, win....

 

[0ddyssey]

I have 11 hens and one unplanned 5-6 month old rooster (sent by the hatchery). Our setup:

- Older hens just started laying
- Not free-ranging yet (finishing backyard fence)
- Automatic coop door for nighttime safety
- Located in North Florida

## Rooster Behavior:

- Guards feeder, pecks some hens away
- Chases hens, causing stress
- Tame with humans (allows handling)

## Concerns:

1. Is this normal rooster behavior?
2. Will he calm down once they can free-range?
3. What are my options?

a. Keep him
b. Cull him
c. Rehome him (Facebook Marketplace unsuccessful)

The rooster is a purebred Ancona. I'm hesitant about Craigslist, fearing he'll end up as someone's dinner.

Any advice on managing this situation or successfully rehoming him would be appreciated.View attachment 3914202

He's beautiful! What did you end up doing? Did you keep him? Is he calming down?