Bad Rooster

[Claud'schick's]

My rooster has just recently run off onr of my chickens to the point where she stays at the neighbor's. I can barely get her in the coop at night. What do I do. I don't want the other chickens shunning her.

 

[azygous]

Have you observed the dynamics between the rooster and this hen as they relate to each other or are you relying solely on the fact that this exiled hen prefers to remain at the neighbors and you assume it's because the rooster wants her gone, and not that the hen is trying to rebuff his mating advances?

This is an important distinction. If the hen has exiled herself, then the safe assumption would be that the rooster is the problem and you may need to take steps in controlling him so the hens get a break. (Or get rid of him)

If the hen has been pushed out of the flock and it isn't her idea to flee, then the hen may have a serious health issue or she may be suffering from low self confidence and is locked into chronic victimhood. You would then need to pursue a program to rehabilitate her.

So, go fetch the hen and bring her home. Then closely observe the interaction between hen and rooster in a confined area to determine who is the problem. If the rooster is trying to force her to mate and she resists while squawking and screeching, you might then conclude the rooster is the problem. If the rooster isn't trying to mate but the hen flees at the mere sight of him, you can conclude the hen isn't capable of enduring his attentions. Then you can read this to get an idea of how to rehabilitate the hen. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/

 

[Ridgerunner]

How old are they? If they are mature you have one possible set of problems or solutions. If they are still immature cockerel and pullet you have another set of possibilities. As Azygous sort of said, we don't know enough about what is going on to be able to make any solid recommendations.

The problem could be the pullet or hen. The problem might be the cockerel or rooster. It could be something about their specific personalities that clash. It could be temporary or long term. I don't automatically assume the male is the problem but even if it is the female's problem I'll ask. What are your goals for that male? Why do you want a male? The only reason you need a rooster is if you want fertile eggs. Anything else is personal preference. Lots of people are very happy without a rooster. Others want a rooster even if they don't want fertile eggs. I always suggest that you keep as few males as you can and still meet your goals. That's not because you are guaranteed problems with more roosters, but that problems are more likely. For some people the correct number is zero.

I try to solve problems for the peace and harmony of the flock. If a chicken, male or female, is causing a problem I don't keep them around. But if they are still immature there is still a chance. There can be a lot of difference between pullets and cockerels compared to hens and roosters. That kind behavior isn't all that unusual with pullets and cockerels.

 

[Claud'schick's]

Have you observed the dynamics between the rooster and this hen as they relate to each other or are you relying solely on the fact that this exiled hen prefers to remain at the neighbors and you assume it's because the rooster wants her gone, and not that the hen is trying to rebuff his mating advances?

This is an important distinction. If the hen has exiled herself, then the safe assumption would be that the rooster is the problem and you may need to take steps in controlling him so the hens get a break. (Or get rid of him)

If the hen has been pushed out of the flock and it isn't her idea to flee, then the hen may have a serious health issue or she may be suffering from low self confidence and is locked into chronic victimhood. You would then need to pursue a program to rehabilitate her.

So, go fetch the hen and bring her home. Then closely observe the interaction between hen and rooster in a confined area to determine who is the problem. If the rooster is trying to force her to mate and she resists while squawking and screeching, you might then conclude the rooster is the problem. If the rooster isn't trying to mate but the hen flees at the mere sight of him, you can conclude the hen isn't capable of enduring his attentions. Then you can read this to get an idea of how to rehabilitate the hen. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/

How old are they? If they are mature you have one possible set of problems or solutions. If they are still immature cockerel and pullet you have another set of possibilities. As Azygous sort of said, we don't know enough about what is going on to be able to make any solid recommendations.

The problem could be the pullet or hen. The problem might be the cockerel or rooster. It could be something about their specific personalities that clash. It could be temporary or long term. I don't automatically assume the male is the problem but even if it is the female's problem I'll ask. What are your goals for that male? Why do you want a male? The only reason you need a rooster is if you want fertile eggs. Anything else is personal preference. Lots of people are very happy without a rooster. Others want a rooster even if they don't want fertile eggs. I always suggest that you keep as few males as you can and still meet your goals. That's not because you are guaranteed problems with more roosters, but that problems are more likely. For some people the correct number is zero.

I try to solve problems for the peace and harmony of the flock. If a chicken, male or female, is causing a problem I don't keep them around. But if they are still immature there is still a chance. There can be a lot of difference between pullets and cockerels compared to hens and roosters. That kind behavior isn't all that unusual with pullets and cockerels.

I'm hoping that due to the fact that hes not as mature as the other rooster which my son purchased I wasn't planning on a rooster I was just planning on chickens And yes I do can agree with you on the low selfesteem because he does not even fight back he just runs but he is allowed in the co-op at night with them. My question still remains if I got more chicks what he then take to them as his flock. Or would bully rooster take them over too

 

[Claud'schick's]

I'm hoping that due to the fact that hes not as mature as the other rooster which my son purchased I wasn't planning on a rooster I was just planning on chickens And yes I do can agree with you on the low selfesteem because he does not even fight back he just runs but he is allowed in the co-op at night with them. My question still remains if I got more chicks what he then take to them as his flock. Or would bully rooster take them over too

They are not quite a year old.