when to worry about a cockerel

[Wild Iris]

Background: I have a flock of four 12-wk old chickens: 2 OEGB pullets, 1"starlight" pullet, and 1 "starlight" who turned out to be a cockerel. I am integrating them with a flock of 3 adult hens. This week I moved everyone into a coop (separated into a half for each flock) with an enclosed run (half for each flock). They have enough space--more than 10 square feet per bird in the run, with plenty extra room in the coop.
Problem: The cockerel has generally been very sweet to his flockmates, but has recently begun to chase them around the run. For the past two days, the three pullets spend most of their day in the coop, while he is alone in his side of the run. When they do come out, he chases them around the run. I haven't seen him actually injure any of them, but it concerns me that they are obviously avoiding him.
Questions: When should I begin worrying about the cockerel's behavior? Is this normal & healthy behavior from him, or is he practicing to be a bully? Maybe it's nerves from the recent change in housing situation? Do I just make sure the pullets have access to food and water in the coop and let them figure it out, or do I need to remove/rehome the cockerel entirely?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sounds like he's sexually maturing. I personally don't care for those behaviors and will often remove them and pen them separately for a good long while before reintroducing them back to the flock. Cockerel will mature sooner than the Pullets and they can be hard on them. I probably wouldn't keep that type as those behaviors tend to mean he will be a handful, and prone to making problems, but some have improved with maturity. I prefer them to have manners from the start. Some do, and most don't.

 

[Perris]

put the cockerel in the pen with the mature hens. They will train some manners into him, and your pullets will be rescued from him in his jerk phase. His hormones are raging; he just needs time and space to grow up with some adult female company.

 

[Sinadrea]

Background: I have a flock of four 12-wk old chickens: 2 OEGB pullets, 1"starlight" pullet, and 1 "starlight" who turned out to be a cockerel. I am integrating them with a flock of 3 adult hens. This week I moved everyone into a coop (separated into a half for each flock) with an enclosed run (half for each flock). They have enough space--more than 10 square feet per bird in the run, with plenty extra room in the coop.
Problem: The cockerel has generally been very sweet to his flockmates, but has recently begun to chase them around the run. For the past two days, the three pullets spend most of their day in the coop, while he is alone in his side of the run. When they do come out, he chases them around the run. I haven't seen him actually injure any of them, but it concerns me that they are obviously avoiding him.
Questions: When should I begin worrying about the cockerel's behavior? Is this normal & healthy behavior from him, or is he practicing to be a bully? Maybe it's nerves from the recent change in housing situation? Do I just make sure the pullets have access to food and water in the coop and let them figure it out, or do I need to remove/rehome the cockerel entirely?

I have a SGE and he's a little aggressive. I'm too chicken myself to act bigger than him so I have to defend myself with a stick. He has sneak attacked me every once in a while. He also flew at my dog this morning and luckily i saw and pushed him away with a hoe. I now have a 6 month old so will have to figure something out.

 

[Buckeye Amy]

put the cockerel in the pen with the mature hens. They will train some manners into him, and your pullets will be rescued from him in his jerk phase. His hormones are raging; he just needs time and space to grow up with some adult female company.

This is how I handle young cockerels too, whether they are obnoxious or not. There is nothing more effective at teaching a young cockerel proper behavior than some mature hens.

 

[Buckeye Amy]

I have a SGE and he's a little aggressive. I'm too chicken myself to act bigger than him so I have to defend myself with a stick. He has sneak attacked me every once in a while. He also flew at my dog this morning and luckily i saw and pushed him away with a hoe. I now have a 6 month old so will have to figure something out. View attachment 3944276

I would remove this bird from the flock. Permanently.

 

[Sinadrea]

I would remove this bird from the flock. Permanently.

Yeah, that's a sad reality. I will see what I can do.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have a SGE and he's a little aggressive. I'm too chicken myself to act bigger than him so I have to defend myself with a stick. He has sneak attacked me every once in a while. He also flew at my dog this morning and luckily i saw and pushed him away with a hoe. I now have a 6 month old so will have to figure something out. View attachment 3944276

Definitely remove him. Roosters will often go for the face and eyes on children. Definitely not worth the risk to keep him.