What is normal cockerel behavior, and what isn't?

[Folly's place]

I agree too. Things should settle down, as long as nobody is being injured.
Having him move away from you is good for him too.
Mary

 

[Trish1974]

I agree too. Things should settle down, as long as nobody is being injured.
Having him move away from you is good for him too.
Mary

He does move out of my way...usually. Unless he's in that psychotic morning trance, then he acts like he doesn't even see me. The morning I was kicking him away from one of the hens he just kept going at her, wouldn't even look at me and tried moving around my leg. I try to do several of the "walk through him" exercises a day. Those first 5 minutes in the morning is the only time he doesn't move away from me.

 

[aart]

Not sure it's good idea to interfere with his trying to dominate/mate,
just let the girls take care of it.

 

[getaclue]

Quit kicking him when he's trying to breed. Let him establish his dominance, and get the pecking order under control. It sound like he's trying to be a good rooster, but you're interfering too much.

 

[Trish1974]

Quit kicking him when he's trying to breed. Let him establish his dominance, and get the pecking order under control. It sound like he's trying to be a good rooster, but you're interfering too much.

I only kicked him one time when he was running down a hen who was not receptive to his advances, who is not yet laying (post-molt) and he had her cornered and she was screaming. She is the lowest on the pecking order and the other hens did not come to her defense like they do for each other.

 

[Chickassan]

That morning thing is hormonal, like most males morning is the time for love. The brain isn't working, he's running on rooster fuel. If possible let him out first, I assume he jumps out first anyway they usually do. Anyway let him out with a couple of the receptive hens and feed them away from your coop door. This will keep him distracted while your non receptives a chance to start their day peacefully.

 

[Trish1974]

If possible let him out first, I assume he jumps out first anyway they usually do. Anyway let him out with a couple of the receptive hens and feed them away from your coop door.

Great idea! I will try that tomorrow.

 

[Chickassan]

It works, I have to do it here the rooster thinks everyone is on the menu in the morning whether its true or not. Any other time of day he dosent want anyone who isn't receptive. I started letting him and the squats alot hens out and feeding them away from the coop opening and while he's eating and showing out the unintersted hens slip out. You just can't reason with them, the lights are on but nobody's home.

Great idea! I will try that tomorrow.