Mrs

[Franki]

HI, I haven't posted on here for a while but need some advice! Sorry if this is a long-winded story!

 

I have two Wyandottes and last year I wanted to add to my flock so raised two Crested Cream Legbars. Did everything the right way and introduced them to my established girls with no problems.

I haven't really warmed to their personalities as they freak out at the slightest little thing but they totally redeemed themselves by laying all throughout the winter.

Last year I also raised some booted bantams and have completely fallen in love with them. I ended up keeping a hen and two cockerels (don't ask), who all get along well together. I've been bringing them in at night as I didn't want the cockerels to disturb my neighbours (urban living!) but this week decided I was being silly and that I would try to house the bantams in the cube with the Wyandottes and the Legbars.

Up until this point they had frequently free-ranged together. I had noticed that the cockerels and the Legbars often went for each other but I thought it might have been "sexy play time"! They seemed to love antagonising each other but when I went to touch the Legbar she crouched down, so I'd just assumed it was some mating thing they were doing.

Anyway since I introduced them to the cube the Legbars have been viciously attacking the cockerels. The little bantam girl just runs out of the way but the cockerels square up to them and have had their eyes pecked and their combs have been bleeding badly. Needless to say I've split them all up again. I let them free-range together yesterday and when I went to put them away I couldn't find one of my cockerels. I eventually found him in a flower bed. I initially thought he was dead but he staggered towards the back door and after a nights rest has recovered. There didn't seem to be any obvious damage, all I can think of is that he'd been stamped on/crushed by one of the Legbars. I just feel that now I can't even let them free-range as there is really going to be a fight to the death.

My immediate thought was to rehome the Legbars, I've never really liked their personalities anyway. But then I thought maybe I'm being silly and should lose the boys. But then even if I kept the Legbars what are the chances of me introducing any other hens in the future? And will they just start picking on my bantam hen? Is this breed a known bully?

I hope this all makes sense, any advice would be appreciated.

[Redwing]

They aren't known for being a problem breed no...

 

How old are the Sabelpoots? A Sabelpoot cockerel should be able to keep a cream Legbar in check but if they are not mature then they will be open to bullying, if this is the case then it's worth separating them till the boys reach maturity and the tide swings in their favour

[Franki]

They are 34 weeks, definitely mature. She just treads on them and goes for their combs and eyes. They try to hold onto her comb and get on her back (which is mating behaviour, or so I thought?) but she then gets on their backs and holds them down.

My Wyandotte girls are submissive with the cockerels but not the Legbars. They really seem to go looking for trouble as well. When they see the cockerels they just aim for them.

[Franki]

I have just googled this topic (maturity of cockerel) and realised that my cockerels may not be mature. It said that it takes 10 months (give or take) for a cockerel to reach maturity.

I just assumed they would be mature around the same time a pullet was considered POL.

I'm feeling foolish for not researching this properly before.

[Franki]

I've just found another site that said roosters might not fully mature until they are two years old.

Redwing, when would you consider them mature?