Young roo being mean

[13Bettys]

this is my first rooster raising from a baby. He is 5 months old and just started being very mean to some of my hens his age. He grabs the feathers on their heads right behind their combs and pulls them around making them scream in pain. Sometimes he won’t let go until I get onto him. Is this normal because he is getting ready to start mating or is he just being a bully?

 

[wamtazlady]

He's at the age where his hormones are racing. Pullets his age aren't as sexually mature and turn him down which makes him more aggressive. It should ease up after he turns 1 year old. In the meantime you might want to separate him from the girls if you can do so. You only need a rooster if you are going to be wanting chicks, so you might also rethink having this cockerel at all. I only keep a rooster because I love the cock a doodle dos. Otherwise I wouldn't have one. The one I have is wonderful with the girls.

 

[rabiee]

One of ours turned out to be a roo, and he's too pretty to get rid of. But usually after her mates he leaves the girls alone and it's pretty quick. He's about 6 months old now. He'll chase them and then grab their neck and mate real quick. Is your run big enough where they have room to get away from him?

 

[Shorty22366]

His hormones are kicking in. He may turn into a sweetheart after they settle down or he could be a terror. I have 4 roosters and love them all. I also have 57 hens plenty of girls for my boys. My boys get along really well. A rooster is alot different than your girls but I won't give my boys up.

 

[snow5164]

Agreed with @wamtazlady 100%

Are you planning on hatching eggs? If not re home him, it can take a year or more before he becomes more calm .

My girls are still recovering from a gentle but way too big roosters “visits”your hens will pay for your being a “ rescuer “ not to mention your child is in danger and should be considered above all !!

If you want to keep him separate most of the day til he’s one or more .....I found it hard to watch and once my girls feathers started falling out I wanted to rehome him but when one started to bleed under her wing we got rid of him .

We have a rooster now that was gentle with the hens but challenged us, we put the time in allowing him to protect the hens from us and now at 13 months he is a very nice rooster

 

[rabiee]

Oh I saw another thing awhile back, "peepers" I think that's what they're called. You can order them on Amazon and it is supposed to calm your roo down, or make it so he can't mate. I'm not entirely sure, but people seem to swear by them. I free range so I wouldn't use it on mine, but maybe it's a good temporary fix for you while his hormones adjust.

Edit* https://www.amazon.com/NEW-Pinless-Peepers-Pliers-spectacles/dp/B01IZ624WC

 

[13Bettys]

Thanks guys. I did not intend to have a rooster but I will not get rid of him unless the situation becomes severe. I’m a rescuer and it’s incredibly difficult for me to give up on an animal without putting forth some effort to remedy the situation first.
I would love to hatch eggs in the future and I also love the protection he offers during free ranging. Plus he’s very gentle with humans thus far and lets my 2 year old pet him every morning when we feed/water them. He eats treats from my hand and takes them slowly to make sure he doesn’t bite me. We are pretty attached to him so shipping him off isn’t an option at this time.
Rabiee there is plenty of room for them to get away from him and places to hide.

 

[13Bettys]

Thanks guys. I did not intend to have a rooster but I will not get rid of him unless the situation becomes severe. I’m a rescuer and it’s incredibly difficult for me to give up on an animal without putting forth some effort to remedy the situation first.
I would love to hatch eggs in the future and I also love the protection he offers during free ranging. Plus he’s very gentle with humans thus far and lets my 2 year old pet him every morning when we feed/water them. He eats treats from my hand and takes them slowly to make sure he doesn’t bite me. We are pretty attached to him so shipping him off isn’t an option at this time.
Rabiee there is plenty of room for them to get away from him and places to hide.

 

[llombardo]

Once the girls start to be more accepting, it gets calmer. They are all learning together. The girls will be more accepting after they start laying. I enjoy having a boy in there, the girls all love him, they also decide if they want to be mated. He does not chase them down if they get get away, he goes about his business. In observing him, he is more likely to mate as soon as they come out of the coop in the morning and right before bed. Very rare to see him mate throughout the day. He is the reason I would considering hatching eggs down the road--I would hope his genes would be passed on.

 

[Shorty22366]

My roos mate first thing in morning and right before going into roost. When you do hatch eggs that first chick will be the sweetest thing you will ever see other than your own kids, grandkids. Good luck with your roo I hope he is a great addition.