Our flock of 1 1/2yr old Black Java's has had an interesting twist this spring.
We had three of five hens become broody and hatch out chicks. Two hens are still tending their chicks.
The third hen (who's chicks hatched out first) has deserted her chicks to their own devices - all in the same run, but she now sleeps in the coop while the chicks are still sleeping in the broody house.
However, since abandoning her chicks, she has been hiding out in the coop - terrified of the rooster! I have put her out in the run several times, but every last time, the rooster races over and starts courting her, and she runs as fast as she can back into the coop, up to the top roost bar! This has now gone on for over 5 days. The only 'outdoor' time she's had is when I open up to let them free range, then she'll go into the run and peek around the corner looking out for danger.
My only take on this situation is that she is terrified of his 'advances'. Since having so few 'choices', he's gotten rather rough on the two remaining hens. Both are rather featherless around the head and I'll need some saddles soon as they're loosing too many feathers on their backs as well.
Any advice for my terrified hen? Other than a new rooster?! (Might be an option, I've got 7 known cockerals among the 12 chicks hatched out! And three are new 'blood' from another owner....) He's a good enough rooster, but if she's frightened of him, it's not worth it. I've also seen him attack one of the remaining hens a few days ago in order to get some. That's reason enough for him to go in my book.....
We had three of five hens become broody and hatch out chicks. Two hens are still tending their chicks.
The third hen (who's chicks hatched out first) has deserted her chicks to their own devices - all in the same run, but she now sleeps in the coop while the chicks are still sleeping in the broody house.
However, since abandoning her chicks, she has been hiding out in the coop - terrified of the rooster! I have put her out in the run several times, but every last time, the rooster races over and starts courting her, and she runs as fast as she can back into the coop, up to the top roost bar! This has now gone on for over 5 days. The only 'outdoor' time she's had is when I open up to let them free range, then she'll go into the run and peek around the corner looking out for danger.
My only take on this situation is that she is terrified of his 'advances'. Since having so few 'choices', he's gotten rather rough on the two remaining hens. Both are rather featherless around the head and I'll need some saddles soon as they're loosing too many feathers on their backs as well.
Any advice for my terrified hen? Other than a new rooster?! (Might be an option, I've got 7 known cockerals among the 12 chicks hatched out! And three are new 'blood' from another owner....) He's a good enough rooster, but if she's frightened of him, it's not worth it. I've also seen him attack one of the remaining hens a few days ago in order to get some. That's reason enough for him to go in my book.....
