My flock is just over 8 months old. I have 16 hens and 2 roos that all grew up together. My SLW roo is dominant and has been seriously feeling his oats. While I'm working out in the garden or the coop he's grabbing a hen every 5-10 mins and the hens are not appreciative. Honestly, I didn't think a rooster could make so many "oats." I was very upset to see one of my EEs with a bloody elbow. He seems to only be doing any feather damage to the EEs. I noticed he is a lot more clumsy with them as opposed to the Wellie and SLW hens. They must have a smaller frame. I've been considering rehoming him or sending him to freezer camp, not so much that I think there's no hope for him as he matures but my Wellie roo is displaying much better behaviors. I've seen him inspecting and fluffing the nesting boxes and calling the girls to food. I've also seen a hen submit to him and the SLW jumped him before he could get it. Yesterday, I finally saw the SLW roo dance. Abysmally unsuccessful mind you, but it was good to see.
In the next few weeks as the weather warms up, I will be extending their run and adding some roosts. That will give the girls a better chance of avoiding the roo when they've had enough. I don't have the facilities to separate him and I really wouldn't want to. Problem is, we built the coop/run for 15 chickens. The run is 12x12 plus 6x6 under the coop. We had always planned to extend it but now it's urgent. I guess I ordered at the right time because the hatchery sent 18 and they all lived. Eventually when the stars align, I win the lottery and become rich and famous, I will fence and electrify my front field to give them a couple of acres to range on. Otherwise they would be entertainment for my inconsiderate neighbor's dogs.
So the question is, should I wait for him to mellow out or should I take advantage of the Wellie's sweet behavior? Will a dominant roo be willing to learn from an insubordinate or catch on on his own?
In the next few weeks as the weather warms up, I will be extending their run and adding some roosts. That will give the girls a better chance of avoiding the roo when they've had enough. I don't have the facilities to separate him and I really wouldn't want to. Problem is, we built the coop/run for 15 chickens. The run is 12x12 plus 6x6 under the coop. We had always planned to extend it but now it's urgent. I guess I ordered at the right time because the hatchery sent 18 and they all lived. Eventually when the stars align, I win the lottery and become rich and famous, I will fence and electrify my front field to give them a couple of acres to range on. Otherwise they would be entertainment for my inconsiderate neighbor's dogs.
So the question is, should I wait for him to mellow out or should I take advantage of the Wellie's sweet behavior? Will a dominant roo be willing to learn from an insubordinate or catch on on his own?
As for the feather damage...in the younger months I noticed that happen to my buff orps. I put a saddle on them for a while and onee they had their first full molt it doesn't happen. Almost like the feathers were just too soft for a rooster.
