You warned me this day was coming - Rooster behavior - now what?

[PunkinPeep]

A couple of weeks ago, some of you warned me that this would happen.

Today, i saw my 17 1/2 week old cockerel trying to mate my 14 week old pullets, and they were definitely not having it. And he was riding them around the yard with his beak attached to the back of their wings.

Here's my question.

How far do i let it go? I removed two other roosters the same age from the flock today, leaving him as the clear, unopposed alpha. Did that inspire him to do his roosterly duties?

The pullets are clearly not ready for this business. How far do i let it go? Will he possibly ease up in a couple of days and realize this won't work right now? How rough is too rough?

 

[DannyUpchurch]

I had the same problem with my rir so I just seperated them for a while. I built a round pin out of some left over dog wire and covered it with chicken wire and a piece of tarp. Put him back in when U think there ready.

 

[gritsar]

If he's not doing the pullets actual harm, leave him be. He'll get more polished with practice and the pullets will get more cooperative as they mature. Once everybody is on the same page, it'll be possible for the matings to take place not five feet from you without you knowing about it.

 

[PunkinPeep]

Thanks for your replies.

That's kind of what i needed to know. I don't want to separate him if i don't have to. He has a lot to learn to grow up into a really good rooster, and i don't want to interrupt that. I will keep watching. Hopefully he's pretty smart.

 

[Southernbelle]

Quote:
I agree.

 

[write2caroline]

Sadly, My Roo had a notion to get his jiggy on and the girls were none too pleased. I would "interrupt" him if he did this in front of me but after a week or so, I noticed the girls calmly just wait it out - almost to the point of bordom and shake it off when he gets up! Poor Roo gets no respect - that must crush his mojo - He is alpha and it is part of what must be for him to keep the girls in line.

He is a good rooster and keeps a good eye on my girls plus he keeps them together when they do the walk about in our woods and always brings them back to the coop when it is time to come back.

Caroline

 

[seminolewind]

Alot of them start off with no gentlemanly manners. When he learns how to stay on (sheesh) he'll be better. It's too bad you don't have some real big girls to put him in his place. I had 3 Jersey Giants, and they would grab him and toss him a few feet!

 

[PunkinPeep]

Quote:
Mine have been free ranging for only two days, but so far, my alpha roo doesn't seem to understand that part. I'm hoping he picks up on it soon. He has been staying really close to the coop with a few loyal subjects while groups of pullets wander in different directions. You think he'll catch on? He seemed to be doing well when they were in the run all day - watching the sky, etc.

Quote:
I think i would really enjoy seeing that.

 

[magentamomma]

Its like a teenage human. They are super earnest but really not very much finesse. I let mine be and they all figured it out in the end. Its funny to watch though.

 

[Omran]

I think it is time ffor dinner, I just don't like the roosters, they make the girls look like they are in war, feathers look and back of hens look bad, so I just get red of any rooster come to me