I have an Old English Game Bantam cock. His ladies consisted of one booted bantam, two rhode island x and two marans. I introduced some new older hens about 3 months ago, 3 silkies, one cuckoo peking bantam and one white peking bantam. One of the silkies and the cuckoo have integrated into the flock well, the other two silkies keep to themselves and get the odd peck from the main hen, one of the rhode island reds. The white peking bantam stays separate with the two silkies but I've realised that the cock doesn't appear to try and mate with her but just attacks her. She crouches down when he comes near but instead of jumping on her wings, he attacks her head from the front with his beak and claws.
When I catch him doing it I give him a right telling off and a kick up the backside but obviously I can't be there all the time. The newer hens still roost separately, if I thought it would help I would put them all into to one hen house but as it is not very big I don't want to put her into any more danger than she's already in. Is it just a case of them not being fully integrated? He is good with the other hens, can be a bit rough when mating but as he is only small it's not too bad. She is very sweet and I feel bad for putting her in this situation, the back of her her is bald now and she's some little peck marks.
Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated! As usual I have realised this just as we're about to go on holidays (why couldn't it have happened over all the months I've been at home) and I hate leaving her for a week if it's not going to get better.
When I catch him doing it I give him a right telling off and a kick up the backside but obviously I can't be there all the time. The newer hens still roost separately, if I thought it would help I would put them all into to one hen house but as it is not very big I don't want to put her into any more danger than she's already in. Is it just a case of them not being fully integrated? He is good with the other hens, can be a bit rough when mating but as he is only small it's not too bad. She is very sweet and I feel bad for putting her in this situation, the back of her her is bald now and she's some little peck marks.
Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated! As usual I have realised this just as we're about to go on holidays (why couldn't it have happened over all the months I've been at home) and I hate leaving her for a week if it's not going to get better.
