Rooster pecking hen

[stanfosd]

I am having an issue with my Rooster, or at least as I see it, it is. My rooster is pecking one of the hens ( a small Golden Comet hen) on the back of the head, which seems to cause many of the other hens to gang up and in a frenzy, also peck the Golden Comet hen's head. The rooster happily mates with all of the other hens, but this hen he will not. She submits to him, but he does not mount her, instead he pecks her causing the other hens to gang up on her.

I have a flock of 1 Australorp rooster, with 15 Australorp hens, 1 Golden Laced Wyandotte hen, and 2 Golden Comet hens. I have had all of the Australorp and Golden Laced hens for several years with no issues. About 9 months ago, I added the 2 Golden Comet hens, and they came in and pretty much took over the flock. The were very strong willed.

Then about 4 months ago, we got our rooster. He was only about 5 months old at the time, and when we introduced him he did quite well. The Golden Laced and the 2 Golden Comets gave him a lot of grief, but he quickly (and as gently as I felt was necessary) established himself as flock leader. At least one of the Golden Comets continue to ambush him whenever she could, but eventually this too died down and we had a happy flock. He began mating the hens, and has been doing so for a month or 2 now.

This pecking issue just started this week, and I have separated the Golden Comet hen as her comb was a bit bloodied and her head beat up a bit. She is a small hen, but I do not know if that is because she is unable to eat or drink in safety. We have, currently 2 coops with a total of about 40sq.ft. of coop space and they have a 1600 sq.ft. area inside electric poultry netting with multiple waterers and feeders. I do not think space is the issue. However, I dont know why the rooster would pick on this one hen all of a sudden. He has been fantastic with the hens otherwise.

I am debating rehoming this hen, but if this is a rooster issue, it may just happen to the next hen in line. I dont want to have to get rid of the rooster, as I do feel he has been good, however something does have to change I am afraid. Any input or suggestion would be appreciated.

 

[Mrs. K]

I would not worry about the number of hens - I too, would re-home the victim in this case. Sometimes you get a bird that just does not fit in your flock. Always solve for peace in the flock.

However, IF the rooster picks a new victim - he is soup.

 

[Cool_Catrules456]

I kind of assumed it was something like that, or something wrong with the hen that the other chickens could sense that I cannot.

So, it sounds like if I were to rehome this hen, the rooster likely would not simply pick a new target?

Also, would there be any benefit in trying to isolate the rooster in 'time-out' for a couple of days to see if that aids the situation?

Rehoming the rooster, or hen would probably be your best bet. Time out will likely not work. It may even cause more issues.

 

[sourland]

This hen may have resisted/fought him when he was younger. He still regards her as a challenge rather than a mate even though she now is willing to submit. Sometimes the rooster eventually accepts such a hen, and sometimes the behavior escalates to him killing her.

 

[stanfosd]

I kind of assumed it was something like that, or something wrong with the hen that the other chickens could sense that I cannot.

So, it sounds like if I were to rehome this hen, the rooster likely would not simply pick a new target?

Also, would there be any benefit in trying to isolate the rooster in 'time-out' for a couple of days to see if that aids the situation?

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

If the male is good with the other hens I would just cull that one hen. You also have a lot of hens for one male. He might just have so many hens he gets to be picky.

 

[AntiqueB]

If you choose to rehome the hen, please consider having another flockmate go with her. Being the only new bird in an established flock will be very difficult for her.

 

[okiemomma4]

I actually had this happen to me as well recently. To the point the bullied hen had a swollen eye and a bloody head. I separated her from everyone else but he started after another hen so he has been removed from my flock. Sadly the original chicken is still being picked on by one hen in her coop. The rest leave her alone. The problem is she's so traumatized by being beat up she hides and runs constantly. She is also super thin because they haven't been letting her eat. I'm hoping this will all settle down since I've removed the rooster and I can let everyone free range again. Red my beat up chicken seems to prefer her fenced off area of the run where no one can mess with her so I just let her be for now. Hopefully your chickens have settled back down.

 

[stanfosd]

I dont really have any update as of yet. Still have the one hen separated. She seems fairly happy just living outside of the fenced paddock where the others are. Occasionally, another hen will get out and she will have some company. I am working on an arrangement to re-home the pair of goldens, but it hasnt happened yet.

As far as the roo and the golden wyandotte relationship; there has been no indication of anything other than happiness between them. Other than the initial meeting where the wyandotte did challenge the roo, just the one time. After that, they have been perfectly good.

 

[RT Goth Barn]

I hope you got rid of that rooster because if you remove that Comet the Astrolourps(all of them) are going to gang up on your other comet and wyandotte.

This flock already lived under minority rule, that has to stay the rule or there will no longer be a minority left.