oldhenlikesdogs-----No, they do not eat the feathers, they just remove the feathers.
Could I get some ideas on what do to with aggressive rooster? I would like to keep him but if I must, for the welfare of the hens, I will re-home or put the pot on.
A rooster who will attack some of the hens is not a good rooster. I have had one or two that prefer to pick a couple of hens and only pay attention to them, all those have eventually gone to be replaced by a rooster who cares for all the hens, and hopefully looks after any chicks added, or hatched.
A rooster that actually jumps on a hen to rip out feathers isn't correcting her for some behavior he doesn't like, but is attempting to get rid of that hen.
There are lots of wonderful roosters, I have quite a few. I personally wouldn't keep a rooster that was first, human aggressive, and secondly hen aggressive. There are too many nice roosters that need homes. I would either butcher yours knowing he had a good life or offer him up to someone who could use the meat.
If you are really wanting to keep him than he would get a pen next to the existing coop where he can live out his life next to the hens but can't cause troubles. Sometimes roosters mellow with age, so it's possible he might improve after a year or two.
Another option is to remove the hen or hens he is targeting, and either rehomed them or set them up in their own coop, or butcher them, it's a stressful life always wondering when the next attack will come from.
That's my suggestion, but he's your rooster, so do what makes you comfortable.
I always feed a higher protein ration to avoid them developing any protein deficiencies, which sometimes starts out as aggression and can turn into cannibalism sometimes. So I recommend a 18-22% protein amount in your ration.
Thanks!!!! You helped bunches! ( I am feeding 18%.)
