It’s a bitter ending for George’s antics.  Drastic action had to be taken.  Yes, our magnificent rooster has simply gone to far.

Chicken keeping visitors marvel at George’s rooster prowess.  But they haven’t been on the end of his beak  when he launches a rooster rage attack.  Neither are they one of the hens who has to live with him all the time.

The truth is that George likes his harem a little too much.  He never leaves them alone.  He’s been such a passionate “lover” that he’s worn the girls out.  Their feathers have worn off their back and for two of the hens he’s inflicted much more damage to their hips.  We’ve treated their wounds but the only long term solution to our rooster problem has been to separate him from the girls.  At least until the wounds have healed and we have more hens so he can spread his efforts around.

For an instant solution we resurrected the hill billy shack that the chickens lived in when they first arrived.  In keeping with the kiwi tradition for a temporary sleep out we’ve built George a bach to live in whilst we look for a longer term solution.  First step was to get my father-in-law out practising some hammering.

Then you need other members of the family giving instructions support.

And before you know it you end up with a wonderful chicken bach.

Let’s just say that George is not loving his new place.

Stuck behind bars away from his harem.

But jailed in his bach was required whilst we fixed up the chicken run separation arrangements.  It’s fair to say that he made several successful attempts to breach the barriers.  Such is his need to be in charge of his flock.  It wasn’t easy but needs must.  And in this case the injuries to the hens are just too severe to continue to allow him to live with them.

Here are the girls happily pecking away in their new territory.  You can see where George has worn off their feathers from his antics.

George may be banished from the pen but he still keeps a very close eye on the hens who were pecking away in peace.

After a restful night in his personal bach George was up with the larks as usual.  When I let him out of his bach into his free ranging area he rushed past his breakfast to check on his girls.  They were happily scoffing their breakfast without him chasing them around.

George was almost bursting with frustration at being left out.

It was very sad to see him pacing up and down around the pen trying to find a way in but couldn’t. He went one way….

And then back the other…..

And peered through the fence from every direction

It was a shame to see him separated from his girls.  He looked lost.

But stay he must away from the hens

So how are the hens finding it you might wonder.  At first I think they were quite distressed.  They liked to keep close to the fence and snuggle up close to where George was watching from.

They can get a bit of peace and quiet for their snooze

But all in all I think they are happier and it will give them time to relax, rest and recover from the rough and tumble of the rooster.

One saving grace is that even with all the upset in their little lives the hens are still laying their eggs.  Perhaps we might get more now that they aren’t being pestered by George who is most definitely banished to his new bach for the foreseeable future.