This is my first group of roosters, so I don't really know how to judge. We have 4 roosters to 26 hens (a tad high perhaps, I know). They rarely fight amongst themselves, and all 4 hang out together regularly (they free-range 3 acres all day). A barred rock is the obvious leader. He is very protective, the girls follow his lead, but he has a tendency to chase and try to spur my kids when he sees them running around anywhere near the hens. I can tell he only sees them as a threat, but still it is a concern. I know this may be naive also, but is 'the act' with the girls ever at all consensual. Every time it's always the biting of the neck feathers, screaming, etc. with all the boys. Often seems rather violent. Even when he doesn't come after you, he always walks towards you, and makes you think he might jump at you. Can anyone describe a genuine 'calm' rooster's demeanor, and reproductive tendencies. I don't really want to take the guy out if this is just the way it is.
Thanks
Thanks