So up until yesterday our little flock had fallen into the routine of peacefully roaming around the woods, eating and following me to see what I was doing. I would let them out in the morning and they would come out one by one and eat scratch grain at my feet. In the evening they would come home to roost and I would shut their chicken door. Well today when I let them out it was like I was walking into a frat party! The little white leghorn came out first followed by the flapping rooster, he proceeded to mount her and then chase her around. Next out was the, not yet developed rooster and the dominant rooster ran over and pecked him a few times. The rest of the girls came out and for the next few minutes it was a free-for-all. It was a cloud of squawking, flapping, pecking and mounting! It seem to calm down after a minute or so, but I have never seen them like this. The dominant rooster who has always been very relaxed and typically lets me pet him, was all stirred up when I would try to approach the ladies. He didn't jump up at me, but he always put himself between us and would strut and flap his wings. I would assume that this is just a result of their new found hormones and it will mellow out over time. Is there anything I should be doing or looking for? The boys are both Speckled Sussex and are pretty good sized birds. The girls are a mix, we have SS, RSL, LH, and BR.
It will settle when everyone finds their place in the flock and the roos raging hormones settle. That being said, the roo's will always act like frat boys.
Things seem to have settled down throughout the day. I was a little concerned at first, but I guess they are just figuring things out. I guess this is why the boys don't grow spurs until the get the hang of things, so to speak. I hope this is a sign eggs are on the way.
