Update: Rooster with issues

[Wolf-Kim]

How old is you rooster and how old are your hens?

Sometimes when the birds are young, mating is awkard and often aggressive looking. Cockerels don't quite "get it" and pullets haven't learned just to submit and squat. Sometimes older hens realize the cockerel doesn't know what he's doing and the hens will put up a fight. If the hens put up a struggle, the mating attempt will look especially aggressive.

Glad you could take the rooster down a notch. Like everyone else said, often times the hens just need a vacation.

-Kim

 

[Eggthusiast]

>> How old is your rooster and how old are your hens? <<

Both the cockerel and the pullets will turn 14 weeks old on Sunday. We also have a trio of 15-month-old hens.

>> Glad you could take the rooster down a notch. Like everyone else said, often times the hens just need a vacation. <<

He was aggressive toward the pullets, but ignored the hens when we moved him to their side of the henhouse. Unfortunately, they didn't ignore him. Even though he is as big as the mature hens, they must have nailed him at least several times throughout the day. The poor bird, as my wife said, was traumatized.

I learned a lesson at his expense. If a similar situation arises in the future (as it likely will), I'll set aside a third section strictly for the problematic cockerel/rooster -- a bachelor pad, as it were.

John

 

[chilling in muscadine]

I alway's have an emergency pen ready for when problem's arise & when you have bird's problem's can arise quickly. Good luck PEACE