Will my rooster stop damaging my hens when he's older?

[Meggis76]

I had a very rowdy rooster, loved him he was great raised him and our EE from chicks. Right around a year old I noticed my hen wasn't getting up and going out to eat and drink like she should, when I went to pick her up I noticed she was cut open under her left wing very deep probably about 2 inches deep by 3 inches long. I thought I was going to lose her it was that bad! We ended up having to get rid of our rooster. It had taken 4 months for our hen to heal, she is finally getting her down feathers back. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[Nariah01]

Sorry... immature pullets yes. Even their own brood mates will try to breed them at that age as the boys often mature sexually faster than the girls do. Young cockerels are the worst.

But so far, I haven't had them (rooster/cockerel), go after chicks that a broody was raising with the intent to breed them or harm them. Of course that could change tomorrow. Each day is a new experience... And each chicken is an individual.

12 weeks means the girls are getting close to breeding age even if they aren't ready yet. The boys can sense these hormonal changes that we cannot. But you may notice the combs starting to turn pinker. The boys will be attracted to and want to go after the ones they can tell are highly fertile... or at least almost.

I might not take his head off just yet! Although I would expect him to continue trying to mate them, unless separated until after they are ready at which point he will still try to mate them. Eventually they will submit to him and he will do his thing, if that's what you allow. Although I think it looks/sounds brutal (and I personally won't allow it towards girls of yours age), I will say that roosters don't have penises so it is kinda like rubbing belly buttons. But that doesn't mean that injury cannot occur.

If he is OK with your other ladies (not too rough, doesn't focus on a favorite girl too much, calls them to treats, stands guard while they dust bathe, drops his wing and does a little shuffle and serenade) and you like having him around.. I would find a way to keep the young & him apart or let em work it out. Or like you say try again in a couple of weeks. He will still mature a bit more from this point. So if he isn't human aggressive by now, that's actually a really good starting point!

Prior to him harassing the young pullets, they weren't putting out certain hormonal vibes... would be my true assessment. Thank you very much for sharing your experience! I hope this helps you to feel better about your boy and/or make a decision either way that's in the best interest of your flock.

Keeping roosters isn't for everybody. I keep my roosters separate and let them mingle only when I want them to, partly because they will also often target the weaker/more submissive girls. But also because I wish to control my breeding genetics. But several times the thought of not dealing with roos has crossed my mind because my girls are plenty happy, if not even more at peace without some horny ol' roo (doing what comes natural) pestering them. Some of the girls do enjoy hanging around the boys to though.

Yeah our situation is a bit weird. We had an all hen flock, then we gave some chicks to one of our broodies so she could be a mom. Then we lost some of our hens to a coyote, including the mom. Then we got gifted these two year old rooster brothers. And here we are today. The other rooster boy we have is very nice and is the head rooster. The rooster in question that we separated his kind of a butt. He is fine with people, and he calls for treats and up until now he looked after the chicks. But he is a bit rough with the hens, and he's obsessed with mating, he even tried to mate with one of my hens while they were laying an egg. My other rooster mates but he's not as obsessed it seems even though they are the same age. My good rooster also hasn't gone after the immature pullets yet, or tried to mate with the hens in the box. Even he gets stressed trying to keep the butthead boy from mating all the time. lol That's why I am trying to decide what to do. I like having the roosters, and I don't mind the whole mating thing for the most part, I know it ain't pretty but its fine with me. But if he can't cool his hormone jets a bit I might have to get rid of him one way or another.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Wow, sorry for your loss.

Sounds like he has to go... It's too much if he can't stay out of the box. You and your flock will seriously appreciate the peace and calm that comes over afterwards.

He may be able to cool his jets eventually. But if you aren't against letting him be part of the circle of life/food chain.. I would probably go that route instead of subjecting someone else's hens to his overly amorous ways.

Some decisions are harder than others. Best wishes either way!

 

[Nariah01]

Wow, sorry for your loss.

Sounds like he has to go... It's too much if he can't stay out of the box. You and your flock will seriously appreciate the peace and calm that comes over afterwards.

He may be able to cool his jets eventually. But if you aren't against letting him be part of the circle of life/food chain.. I would probably go that route instead of subjecting someone else's hens to his overly amorous ways.

Some decisions are harder than others. Best wishes either way!

Yeah those were my thoughts exactly, its just hard because despite him being a little prick I actually kind of like him. lol, We aren't against culling but he would be our first so its just making the first step that's hard. And thank you for all your insight it was very helpful.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Yeah those were my thoughts exactly, its just hard because despite him being a little prick I actually kind of like him. lol, We aren't against culling but he would be our first so its just making the first step that's hard. And thank you for all your insight it was very helpful.

Sadly I liked a few of the roosters that have made their way to our dinner table. One was my favorite guy until I got attacked enough times. He was a lap chick early on. We talked openly about it for a very long time before we got to the point that we took action. The first time did NOT go as smoothly as one would hope, being worried about cutting myself and not realizing exactly how thick chicken skin really is. I'm a pretty emo person when it comes to animals. The harshest reality that day was that my 17 year old daughter is growing up and did me proud by participating. I dispatch them and she finishes. Mind you, throats don't slit and have arterial blood spray everywhere with just a quick slash like the movies. You gotta plunge into like you are cutting a giant steak off the end of a roast. At least that's the association I make that seems right for the amount of pressure and such. We made our cone out of a bleach bottle. And we skin them instead of plucking because it just sounded easier. We have found processing the older boys (9 months+) takes my daughter a lot longer than the younger boys (4 months) who are more tender.

I can't say that it gets easier the next time. But it does get cleaner/faster/less scary as you become more skilled and confident.

 

[Nariah01]

Sadly I liked a few of the roosters that have made their way to our dinner table. One was my favorite guy until I got attacked enough times. He was a lap chick early on. We talked openly about it for a very long time before we got to the point that we took action. The first time did NOT go as smoothly as one would hope, being worried about cutting myself and not realizing exactly how thick chicken skin really is. I'm a pretty emo person when it comes to animals. The harshest reality that day was that my 17 year old daughter is growing up and did me proud by participating. I dispatch them and she finishes. Mind you, throats don't slit and have arterial blood spray everywhere with just a quick slash like the movies. You gotta plunge into like you are cutting a giant steak off the end of a roast. At least that's the association I make that seems right for the amount of pressure and such. We made our cone out of a bleach bottle. And we skin them instead of plucking because it just sounded easier. We have found processing the older boys (9 months+) takes my daughter a lot longer than the younger boys (4 months) who are more tender.

I can't say that it gets easier the next time. But it does get cleaner/faster/less scary as you become more skilled and confident.

Thanks, yeah I may not have raised this guy but all the stuff we went through when we got 'em, I dunno I just got attached. I have a soft heart when it comes to animals but I want to get to growing my own meat so this step must be taken. I really do appreciate all the help. and I will say the last few days since hes been separated the flock and the flock rooster are all much calmer it seems.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Thanks, yeah I may not have raised this guy but all the stuff we went through when we got 'em, I dunno I just got attached. I have a soft heart when it comes to animals but I want to get to growing my own meat so this step must be taken. I really do appreciate all the help. and I will say the last few days since hes been separated the flock and the flock rooster are all much calmer it seems.

Feel free to PM me if you need some support!

 

[MaryZoe]

I just wanted to say I have a year old rooster that actually went after two of my 12 week old pullets to mate the other day, so it does happen. He had been living with these pullets as well as the hens with no issues for several weeks but he has started harassing the too young pullets. we had to segregate him while we figure out what to do. So you have never seen a rooster, even young cockerels go after immature pullets? Hm I was going to try to either rehome or try and reintegrate him after a week or so but if he really is just that stupid then maybe it would be better to just cull.

I too had my first experience with young roosters attracted to about 10 week old pullets. The young ladies were horrified, as two young roos (14-15 weeks old) singled out the three young pullets and harassed them non-stop. The girls would fly in terror away from the boys. They came running to me, to my husband, they hid under bushes and in nesting boxes. At first I just locked the girls up in a coop where the boys could not reach them, but when I thought the girls were bored and would much rather be free-ranging with their older friends, I got rid of the larger (and instigator) of the roos. He was huge and handsome; weighed 8 lbs at 18 weeks, so he was easy to get rid of. His brother is tamer and the girls are happier, but if they become agitated again, the other roo will be off as well.

These roos were my third and fourth roosters, so they were low on the pecking order. I'm pretty sure that's why they went for the little girls--the other roos (and other hens) did not allow them any other options. My proportions are better now, and I have separate coops for each roo with his little harem. I think I'll keep a coop for teenage girls as well. I don't want them to have to suffer through such humiliation again!

 

[pelican]

I read these posts with interest but still wonder why the Cochin rooster here is becoming more aggressive nowadays and is at least 6 years+, old. He's becoming obsessed especially with hens he senses are thinking about setting - even primps and fluffs nests and then calls them in, which was astonishing to me. Otherwise, he's a gentleman and quite friendly to humans. He's needed for future chicks. Has anybody encountered this kind of increase in aggression?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I read these posts with interest but still wonder why the Cochin rooster here is becoming more aggressive nowadays and is at least 6 years+, old. He's becoming obsessed especially with hens he senses are thinking about setting - even primps and fluffs nests and then calls them in, which was astonishing to me. Otherwise, he's a gentleman and quite friendly to humans. He's needed for future chicks. Has anybody encountered this kind of increase in aggression?

Never seen it before, but less things surprise me these days.

6 years seems like a nice ripe age! What do you feed?

I wouldn't think I would want to use an old guy for fathering chicks for too long. Seems like fertility could drop and rates of deformity may increase. Anyways, I would maybe try to keep one of his sons. Though the over throw is rarely fun to see.

Also, older animals can become grumpy as aches and pains set in.