I feel like a dope asking this question, but... My six chickens are almost 4 months old. I just found out one is a rooster. They have all been getting along so well. Two days ago I realized I had a rooster because he crowed. Well today he seems to be trying to mate but it looks so violent. The rooster is an Araucana and he chases the other female Araucana and she runs and seems to be scared of him. The other 4 hens hang around him and he doesn't seem to bother them. Now Chickadee stays away by herself and they all group together. He wouldn't try to hurt her, would he? Are they old enough to mate? They haven't laid any eggs yet. She won't go near him. I read above about the way they mate but it looked so rough I thought he was going to kill her. I am new to this and would like to hear from someone. I just don't want a dead hen.
Now my hen is so scared she won't go near them. When they all got in the coop, he charged at her. I'm worried. I don't want anything to happen to her. She looks so scared. Help
Bzb50, Your cockerel has come of age. Yes, he is practicing mating and will get the hang of it soon. But 4 months old pullets are too young, and indeed he can damage them. When they are more mature, they will "stoop" for him to mount--another month or two. So you have a choice--find him a new home (won't suggest eating him) or keep him separate until the pullets are older. Young cockerels are often quite aggressive. Has nothing to do with being a pet! And if you interfere with him, he may become aggressive with you. You do not need a rooster, even though they are beautiful and try to be protective for their hens (actually most predators are not really put off by a rooster). The choice is yours---CJR
Thank you CJR. I probably will get rid of him. It seems only one hen is being outed. The rest hang around him and have no problem. I guess along the way the neighbors will get sick of him. So until I get rid of him, should I separate him or the hen he and the others are after.
I just wanted to update about the rooster. Monday and Tuesday have been quite different. The rooster seems to be much friendlier and they are all back together. Maybe they are establishing a pecking order. Henri the rooster is now being more of a charmer. It is so interesting to watch their personalities. He now walk up to her slowly and acts like he isn't interested. She now is one of the pack again. They always got along so good I was surprised to see that behavior. I guess this is a continuing story. Thanks for your advise.
So, what's going on now?
Ok Rex, for you. Henri is sooo hansome and he really likes the girls. He wants to mate all the time, but my girls don't seem as thrilled as him. He isn't all that nasty with them now. He likes to pretend he has a tasty morsel so the girls will come around and then he attacks. My Barred Rock will stoop for him but my other three give him a run for the money. They all seem happy and he looks like a Sultan with his harem. I really like him, he seems intelligent. I held him today which I've been afraid to do. He just laid in my arms but was happy to get down. I am waiting for my first egg. That should be the next chapter. See ya.
Well guess what? I got my first pullet egg yesterday.What a find. It is so tiny, I got another today. The first one was kind of speckled but today it was nice and smooth and brown. I brought it to school to show the children. They all knew them when they were chicks. So they got a kick out of it. See ya
I had the same problem with an Auracauna rooster. He was beautiful, but he chose two hens that he would attack. We just gave 'Psycho' to a breeder.
Well after all the fuss and todo with Henri my rooster,my neighbors complained about his crowing. I really got to love that rooster. He made my day when I go out he would dance around my feet and the hens just worshiped him. But being in the city I had to comply and find a home for him. I brought him a feed store in Lemon Grove and they will find him a home.
Dear BZB50: Sorry to hear about Henri. I hope the feed store finds a good home for him. Maybe they will tell you where he goes and you can visit him. I'm very much looking forward to having my "hen hilton" built so I, too, can have a few hens. I don't have any yet, but one day. . . .
Feline, Nice to know someone cares. Most people think they are just chickens, but they each have their own personalities. If you like animals then you will like chickens. Get them young so they will get used to you handling them. Even Henri didn't mind me holding him. He is a pretty big rooster. Americauna with the prettiest colors. I hope I do get visit him. Thanks for caring.
By the way Chickadee is making a lot of noise in her throat. I thought she was choking so I rubbed her throat and she seems a little better. Now she wants to lay in my arms. Thanks for any info.
By Bzb50 on Sunday, May 23, 1999 - 11:03 pm:
By Cjeanr on Monday, May 24, 1999 - 02:10 am:
By Bzb50 on Monday, May 24, 1999 - 08:20 pm:
By Bzb50 on Tuesday, May 25, 1999 - 11:45 pm:
By Rexulmer on Monday, June 14, 1999 - 08:38 pm:
Don't leave me hanging like this !! LOL
Rex
By Bzb50 on Tuesday, June 15, 1999 - 12:44 am:
By Bzb50 on Wednesday, June 16, 1999 - 11:58 pm:
By Cujo on Wednesday, June 23, 1999 - 02:02 pm:
By Bzb50 on Thursday, July 15, 1999 - 08:14 pm:
It was a very sad day, He looked so lost. Another rooster was in with him and made a challenge but backed down real quick. Henri is The Man. Oh well just wanted to vent my feelings.
By Feline on Friday, July 16, 1999 - 09:57 am:
By Bzb50 on Sunday, July 18, 1999 - 11:14 pm: