radian89
Hatching
- Jul 24, 2016
- 4
- 2
- 9
Our family is brand new to chickens and acquired our little flock in June 2016. We have a Minorca rooster, Minorca hen, Copper Maran hen, Bantam Easter Egger (all about 6 months old), Barre Rock hen and a Rhode Island Red hen (both about 14 months old). Our rooster just hit "puberty" a couple of weeks ago and started crowing every morning. For the past week he has been going after our little EE hen with way too much passion! He does try to mate with the other girls (just does the typical herding when they are out free ranging) but he CONSTANTLY is going after our EE. She is very petite compared to him and she is petrified! None of the younger hens have started laying yet.
Two days ago I found our EE laying with her head down in the corner of the run in shock. Her left eye was bloody, swollen and shut and she had several small cuts on the back of her head. We were able to revive her from the shock and had her spend the night in the house in one of our dog crates. She was better in the morning. Not wanting to keep her separate from the flock for too long we took her back out and the rooster instantly went after her! When we put her inside the run when he is in there she runs for the door and squawks at us to let her out. My son took her out and started walking away and the rooster was pacing back and forth in the run and started crowing very loud.
So, for the second day we are keeping her inside in the dog crate at night then during the day putting the rooster in the crate outside next to the coop/run while she goes inside with the other hens. As soon as we let them all out is watches her, stalks her and if we turn our backs he goes right after her.
We are thinking of giving him away. Even if we house him separately he goes after her when they are free ranging. Our little EE is so petite and precious. She is the most like a pet and follows us all around and loves to lay in my son's lap watching TV! I don't want her hurt or afraid. What should we do??? Thanks!!
That is Mark the rooster on the right in pick of 3 above. He is half again the size he was there and is at least 3 times the size of little Chica.
Two days ago I found our EE laying with her head down in the corner of the run in shock. Her left eye was bloody, swollen and shut and she had several small cuts on the back of her head. We were able to revive her from the shock and had her spend the night in the house in one of our dog crates. She was better in the morning. Not wanting to keep her separate from the flock for too long we took her back out and the rooster instantly went after her! When we put her inside the run when he is in there she runs for the door and squawks at us to let her out. My son took her out and started walking away and the rooster was pacing back and forth in the run and started crowing very loud.
So, for the second day we are keeping her inside in the dog crate at night then during the day putting the rooster in the crate outside next to the coop/run while she goes inside with the other hens. As soon as we let them all out is watches her, stalks her and if we turn our backs he goes right after her.
We are thinking of giving him away. Even if we house him separately he goes after her when they are free ranging. Our little EE is so petite and precious. She is the most like a pet and follows us all around and loves to lay in my son's lap watching TV! I don't want her hurt or afraid. What should we do??? Thanks!!
That is Mark the rooster on the right in pick of 3 above. He is half again the size he was there and is at least 3 times the size of little Chica.