Bobcats, fox and hawks, oh my

[Chickenclaude]

Predictors have been taking out my older girls 5 so I have stopped free ranging and if they aren’t in the coop, they are in the tractor. One of them seemed to be much larger and I’ve noticed a half hearted crowing attempts. It happened that with him being a roo now, he’s humping the girls non stop and they (all but 2) are 6 new layers. I wondering if all these hormones in the coop at once is making my roo too feisty for my liking. When I went to collect the eggs the little shi* attacked my hand breaking the skin. Is this phase going to pass or at least slow down or do I have to rehome this guy? I really don’t need any more chickens.

 

[Yardfulla poopers]

That is normal rooster behavior, hate to say, whether they are free ranging or not. My last rooster didn't stop coming after us until he got old and feeble, at which point he was taken by a bobcat. I now have four bobcat skins and a new rooster.

 

[Yardmom]

A good rooster does not attack humans. A rooster should learn to give anyone entertaining the area space. Cockerels can be a bit more feisty than roosters. He may calm down some as he ages, but he shouldn't be attacking hands.

 

[McChooky]

Roosters shouldn't be housed with layers in a chicken tractor. They require more room than hens.I have a decent roster but I make him terribly nervous when we're in a small area(he takes off)