Unwanted attentions from cockerel!

[path.otto]

I am new to chickens. I started with five pullets (now 14 weeks) and added 4 more about a month later. They are a tad bit older, probably 18 weeks or so. One of the four turned out to be a cockerel. Therein lies the problem, I didn't want a rooster! That is another story.

He's not bad but he's young and inexperienced and trying very hard to get experienced with the 3 pullets he was raised with who don't want anything to do with him. (I keep him separated from my younger girls.) Last night he grabbed my sweetie pie Buff Orp and despite her trying her best to get away he managed to tread her. My husband, who is not at all sentimental about my chickens, came running out of the garage sure some predator had grabbed one due to the squawking. The Buff was just laying there with her wings spread out, (she did finally try to keep her balance) not moving. We weren't sure she was alive. I picked her up and she didn't move for a full minute and then she just put her head on my chest and started taking these shuddering breaths. After a couple of minutes she was fine and the older girls and the cockerel spend an uneventful night in their coop. (After re-reading this I'm not sure who is the drama queen - me or the chicken!)

From what I understand mature roosters are less likely to try to mate with immature pullets, but a cockerel will try to mate anything and so I have made the decision to keep the rooster separate from all of the pullets until they are older. I am really trying hard not to anthropomorphize this and turn it into a rape but I don't want to watch this every day when the pullets are unwilling.

I could try to re-home him but he is, from what I've been told based on photos, just an Ameraucana cross, not a purebred, and I don't want to just have him killed.

I would really love any insight or suggestions! Thanks so much.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Even normal adult mating can appear dramatic and unwelcome at times, so be prepared. You are right that cockerels are usually a little more rough and don't understand (or care) that no means no.

What you have witnessed is what I call the "I'll just lay here and think about my grocery list and just hope he finishes quick" type reaction, which is sometimes followed with "I don't know if he actually accomplished anything but I'm going to act like I'm asleep so he won't try again until tomorrow hopefully" reaction.

Theoretically, some of the 18 weeks old should be becoming responsive to his advances, though, depending on breed. Are any of them starting to redden up in the comb?

 

[path.otto]

I laughed out loud at your reply, SunHwaKwon, thanks for the reality check! The BR should be laying soon, her comb and wattles are getting larger and red. The Buff and Production Red (I think based on photos) are still pretty pale - more like my younger pullets. The roo really seems to like the Buff, perhaps because they are so docile.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Can you discern who might be "head pullet" at this point? In my flock it is my Rhode Island Red, and she looks abused, with huge bald patches from my current rooster and the last one I had (his father, actually) because he is her favorite. I don't know if those two things are related (head hen = rooster favorite?). I wonder if something similar is going on with the buff. I also think some are just better at giving the boys the stink eye and they figure out who is more likely to lay like a limp fish and who will put up such a fight that it isn't worth the effort.

 

[path.otto]

Actually, the BR is head hen in the older flock. Although, my younger SLWs go chest to chest with her through the fence. The Buff Orp is just a sweet little thing and is doomed to be picked on, I think. I've put all the girls together and all of the older birds are dominate to the younger. The Buff likes this because she's no longer last in line. It will be interesting to see what happens when the SLWs get bigger. Until I read that pullets should be 16 weeks before putting them in with the Cockerel he was with them all for a few days. The younger pullets just keep to themselves although he tried very hard to impress them with his dances and coos when he finds tasty treats.
I'm sure this will work itself out, I was just surprised (shocked) that the Cockerel would force the issue with immature pullets. I'd never read anything about that aspect of the mating game. Thanks for your support!

 

[aart]

I am really trying hard not to anthropomorphize this

Many keepers isolate the randy young cockerels until the pullets are 'of age'.
Thinks @SunHwaKwon was doing the anthropomorphizing...hahaha, geez!!

 

[path.otto]

Thanks, aart. I'm doing that now and things, for the pullets at least, are more peaceful. I was talking to my vet yesterday about having chickens and he is interested in the cockerel. While I can certainly see the protective benefits of having a rooster, I really just wanted hens so I will keep to my original plans.