10 week rooster biting hens neck?

[mamahennorth]

Morning all

I have two 10-week old chickens, incubated and hatched together. I've had no problems with them so far, however when I let them out of the coop this morning, the rooster grabbed the hens neck and wouldn't let go. Poor hen was screaming and trying to escape. This happened twice. I separated them for about half an hour, but they are now back together, and seem fine?

Is the rooster trying to mate? How do I stop him from hurting my hen? Do I need to separate them? Help?!

 

[Ebony Rose]

Sounds like he's feeling his wild oats (early), and she's not ready for it. Takes the girls longer to reach sexual maturity. As long as he isn't drawing blood, I'd let them sort it out. If however, the 'games' get rough, then placing these two on opposite sides of the fence, where they can see but not touch until your pullet is mature enough to appreciate his amorous attentions would be in order. It would be important to allow them to see and hear each other for these months (or until she starts laying eggs) so that reintegrating them as one flock will go smoothly.

 

[aart]

Morning all

I have two 10-week old chickens, incubated and hatched together. I've had no problems with them so far, however when I let them out of the coop this morning, the rooster grabbed the hens neck and wouldn't let go. Poor hen was screaming and trying to escape. This happened twice. I separated them for about half an hour, but they are now back together, and seem fine?

Is the rooster trying to mate? How do I stop him from hurting my hen? Do I need to separate them? Help?!

Do you have other birds?


FYI-PSA.....semantics, maybe, but can be important communication terms when discussing chicken behavior.

Female chickens are called pullets until one year of age, then they are called hens.

Male chickens are called cockerels until one year of age, then they are called cocks(or cockbirds or roosters).

Age in weeks or months is always a good thing to note.