[aaronsundin]

Hi all ,
I have a 6 month old orpington bantie cockerel running free range with 6 hens . He has just recently started bullying my light sussex hen . Not attacking her as such ( at the moment ) , but especially at feeding time he goes for her and chases her away & has made it quite clear he don't like her !  He gets on with all the others fine and is often seen mounting . I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this kind of behaviour ? Will it pass or is there anyting I could / should be doing ?  I feel really sorry for her , she's been here for a few years and I hate to think of her living in fear of this cockerel. Although he's very hansome my feeling at the moment is shape up or ship out ! Any comments much appreciated .

[Fleecewife]

As you say - shape up or ship out    Does he have a purpose other than to look good? Are you breeding from him?  If not, then of course hens don't need a cockerel amongst them and they are often happier without.  We have several superfluous cockerels at the moment and we are working our hungry way through them.

[chrismahon]

Our pet cockerel Bottom, a large Buff Orpington, dislikes Wyandottes. All Wyandottes and only Wyandottes, colour not important. He chases them away or attacks them, which must be very confusing for them, being part of the same flock. The oldest, Lulu, is 3 now and has been chased away every day for the last 2 1/2 years. It hasn't distracted from her laying but it could easily do. Fortunately for her he is only around 3 hours a day.