Help only a rooster and 1 hen left!! What to do?

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annmarie33

Chirping
Jun 22, 2015
231
8
51
I had my hens get killed yesterday by a stray dog and the only hen left was a broody one who just hatched her eggs today. So she was in the coop and protected when the attack happened. She and the rooster are 6 months old. What should I do? He didn't hurt the chicks last night but I am worried he will try to mate with her and hurt them or something. I have 17 3 week old I will slowly incorporate but not for a while. I'm just wondering if I need to separate them somehow or do you think it will be ok for a few weeks?
 
I don't have any personal experience in this exact situation, but I have understood from others that the mama hen can be quite protective of her chicks and will put the rooster in his place should he bother the chicks or her. The experience I have with introducing young birds to my flock has been pleasant. I introduced them slowly and the roosters have paid them little attention at all. I wish I could help more! Good luck and I'm sorry about your loss!
 
Are the chicks the offspring of the rooster? There's a great thread on here about a broody rooster. He may get involved in the upbringing of the chicks since there are no other birds to be a part of his harem. Why don't you see what happens? If he needs to be separated, then you can always do that. You might be surprised at what he does since there are no other birds for him to be with.
 
It's really hard to say what a 6mo cockerel will do in this situation.
Whether they are his chicks or not doesn't really matter, chickens don't know the difference or care.

I'd keep an eye on them and if he is aggressive and the broody can't warn him off, separate him.
His behavior at this point should be a good indication of whether you have a good cockerel or a bad one.
Also his behavior towards you in this situation.

How has his behavior been before this incident?
 
He chases people and sometimes will try to get on top of my kids. I do t know if it's a dominance thing but he tries to act like he has authority over everyone even people. He hasn't ever pecked us but he is aggressive. Last night the hen got out of the next box in the coop with her babies once the rooster cane in for the night. She has now relocated to the bottom and has taught the chicks how to eat and drink. I am thinking by her doing that she doesn't feel comfortable with the rooster- right?
 
Percheron chick said:
Who cares how the hen feels about him. He tries to dominate your kids and chases people. Get rid of him yesterday.
Click to expand...
I have to agree. If he's acting that way at 6 months, imagine what he will be like when full grown with spurs. He should not be allowed near your kids.
 
Yeah I agree, if you don't know how or want to work with a rooster with that high dominance go ahead and get rid of him. The hen will be way more than fine being just her and her babies. She will be less stressed that way actually.

Sorry on your losses btw.
 
This is our first time having chickens and we had 7 originally. 3 roosters and 4 hens. One rooster was mean and pecking people so we got rid of it and kept the dominant prettiest rooster. He has acted like the head of the flock since he was little. A few months ago he started chasing anyone who came outside except my husband. I have twin 1 1/2 year olds and they love the rooster but he runs up to them and tries to intimidate. I was under the assumption that as long as he isn't trying to peck he was ok. The flies at you and kinda stops right I front of you. He has done this to my twins teice recently and since they are short it is too close to their head. We do keep him away from them since that happened. So all roosters army dominant like this? Tell me how a rooster should be? I want to make sure I keep the good one this time since we just got 17 new chicks and I'm sure there will be a few roosters. Thank you for helping
 

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