clipclopboc Posted November 26, 2016 Share Posted November 26, 2016 We've kept hens for years, and cockerels but short term after hatching. We decided to keep one cockerel from this year's hatch - an araucana cockerel. Despite the chill I've caught him at it with one of the hens. I've noticed an ex batt is being bullied lately. She doesn't help matters as she makes herself a bit of a target as she's quite dramatic. But the pecking order has been fine until recently... maybe since the cockerel has been 'active'. Is this a coincidence or is having a mature male in the mix now making some of the hens aggressive? I've seen the cockerel pick on the bullied hen but I also saw him chasing off another hen today who was bullying her - so he's both bullied and defended. Ex batt is having her own run within the run tomorrow, for a little while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 26, 2016 Share Posted November 26, 2016 A cockerel will usually promote peace within the flock, but there are occasions when he focuses his attentions on just one hen, who starts to look a bit bedraggled. Personally, I would remove the bullying hen for a while and see how they get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clipclopboc Posted November 26, 2016 Author Share Posted November 26, 2016 It seems they are all pretty much taking turns to bully the hen - so there's not one bully to remove from the flock. She is very nervous now which is also making her more of a target. But did also see the cockerel 'tell off' a hen today who was bullying the bullied hen - but I've also seen him bullying too. Hope that makes sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted November 27, 2016 Share Posted November 27, 2016 What can happen is that the cockerel is not recognised as top in the pecking order by the higher ranking hens. Effectively two flocks are created, one with him as the leader and the other with the top hen as leader. Bullying of the one or two that have accepted him is the result. You can try giving him treats so that he can call the hens to them. They will then take him seriously as a food supplier and should submit. Another approach is to remove all the hens but the lowest and introduce them in reverse pecking order one at a time. Once he has trodden the new addition add another until the original top hen is introduced as a loner against an established flock. This approach can take a whole day, but has never failed us. In extreme cases a new cockerel is rejected by all the hens. He then starts behaving like a hen and assumes the lowest rank in the flock. We had this last year with a young chap introduced to a flock of 6 year olds and it took a lot of work to get the flock reorganised because he had lost all confidence. He had to be separated for a few weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted November 27, 2016 Share Posted November 27, 2016 I find my older hens take to a younger cockerel a lot quicker than the younger girls do they give him a smack or two then He thinks He's in charge and the girls get on with what needs to be done and He's get on with strutting about and bracing that He's boss and has the best domain in ear shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
