Why is he acting this way?

[JodyJo]

question about a rooster....is it normal for a roo to separate itself from the flock and lay down all the time, not on his side, but like a hen?
I keep seeing one of mine doing this, he is healthy as far as I can tell, eating and crowing, but seems to stay away from the rest.
I do have 2 other roos, but there is no fighting or anything going on...any ideas?

He is 26 weeks tomorrow.

 

[chi-rn]

First, laying down -- long as healthy otherwise -- probably just dust bathing. Roos like this as much as hens. Mine, rude boy that he is, pushes the girls out of the craters they've dug & takes over them himself. He's probably just not dominant, knows his place, & may be biding his time before he challenges for top position!

 

[gritsar]

How many hens do you have? Is there enough for three roos? I'd say it's fairly normal for the subordinate or beta roo to feel isolated or self-impose isolation (it keeps him from getting his butt whooped).

 

[JodyJo]

not dust bathing...just sitting down, he is roo #3, soon to be re-homed...I have 12 laying girls, 3 more at 16 weeks, so 2 roos is all I am going to keep, and will go down to one if anyone starts fighting...I guess he is just feeling outcast...

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I think you are right. I'll bet he'll feel much better in his new home, after an adjustment period. Every roo needs a harem of his own to love.