Suicidal or horny chicken?

[kesrchicky16]

So my first ever cockerels arrived last night they hatched Mar 21 I chose one smaller hopefully he will accept the #2 spot. All of my females are over or very nearly a year.

I am playpenning my cockerels for a week before full introduction. I went out to say hello so they know I'm a ever present part of life here and saw my very much bottom of the flock chicken walking the fence with them.

I did my thing checked for eggs and come out to see her standing face to face with the dominant male, both had neck feathers all puffed out. She was pecking at his face! He was NOT showing other signs of aggression. No jumping, kicking or talking on his part. SHE was chattering and kept pecking. He would back up AFTER she pecked then come back closer. Then I noticed she had blood in her beak!

She runs from everyone, is my youngest bird, and is kinda picked on but just runs from it. Then she ran around and got in top of a stack if straw that is close to the outside of where the cockerels are. She looked about to jump over the fence.

I guess I need to study up on mating behavior. Is she wanting his affections or is she trying to say this in my home you are new I'm going to try and be big and tough. He stands probably 3+ inches taller then her and is obviously heavier.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

She finally has someone to dominate, so she's getting some pecks in, it's normal for bottom bird to suddenly realise they aren't at the bottom and to do something with their new found power.

It's also quite normal for a rooster to stand and let hens peck his face, it's generally a sign of affection from what I have observed, so the fact that your boy stood and took it isn't surprising.

Should be interesting to see if he puts her in her place eventually or not.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

As your cockerels mature they will begin to exert their dominance over your hens.

Once a cockerel begins to find his courage he will no longer up up with a hen (lower bird in the pecking order) pecking him around the head and face. I think that oldhen.... is right about it being interesting to see if your cockerel will eventually put the hens in their place. Just remember that they are CHICKENS only doing what chickens do.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Although, I must say my nicer roosters are those who have been "schooled" by older hens while they were upcoming young roos.

They have to learn some manners before they can court their affections. (It's actually rather amusing to watch).

Totally agree that it is often the lowest in the pecking order that harasses the newcomer the hardest. They are determined to not drop lower but have someone below them.

Time will tell how the dynamics play out. It will also show the temperament of your roo if he remains respectful and courts his girls or turns and begins to repay evil for evil.

LofMc

 

[kesrchicky16]

Just remember that they are CHICKENS only doing what chickens do.

Yes I was just shocked at her brazenness. I've never seen her stand up to anyone much less a bird obviously 3x her size. Then seriously trying to estimate the jump into the pen that she is always running from. I believe animals can suffer mental illness too. I'm starting to suspect that she is wanting him to "dance" for her.

I made sure to gather all the chickens and feed them first before I added fresh food to the cockerels dish. The boys waited until what they thought was all of them were eating before they bent to eat. They didn't know 1 hen was tardy to dinner.

They are pretty birds. I already know which eggs I will leave if someone goes broody.
Larger (dominant in front)

 

[kesrchicky16]

The silly part of her new tough girl routine, I've added older hens 2 times. This is the first time she has been around younger chickens.