Troubled Youth?

[airinpie]

This is my first experience keeping chickens, and I haven't been able to find what I'm looking for by searching, so I'm looking for advice

This year we ordered 5 Barred Rock pullets from our local feed store, and then ended up getting 6 straight run Easter Egger chicks from tractor supply. They are 9 weeks old, and we've got a couple that we're 99% sure are roos based on behavior, comb size and color, and hackle feather shape. We also have one rock that matured WAY faster than the others. Most of them have a very small comb, not red and no waddles. This one, in two days grew a large comb and waddles and it's already red.

So here's the problem. One of the roos keeps jumping on the rock (of questionable gender), and looks like he's trying to mount him/her. The poor chicken is scared to death and is hiding in the coop. Every time it comes out, the roos attacks it. Gets it by the neck and pins it down. So far we haven't seen any blood, but the chicken has pretty much been hiding out away from the flock.

I am working on finding homes for the roos, but should I be worried about this in the meantime? 9 weeks seems pretty early to be trying to get fresh, so I don't know if that's the case, or if it's actually attacking or just showing that he's the man. teenagers, sheesh.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[sumi]

I've seen a month old chick try and mate with a full grown hen once. Some of them are so full of themselves they'll try their luck, even if they're way too immature still. If he's harassing the other youngster so bad, separate him until you can find him a good home.