Help! Behavior emergency! Rooster turning against top hen!

[Kev]

Yes it is abnormal for a rooster to do this. I don't agree with it being normal rooster/cockerel-hen dominance thing, a good rooster will stop attacking as soon as an older previously dominant hen submits to him... a good rooster will keep his eye on her but, be courting and wing dancing at her a lot but not bloodying like this at all.

His behavior towards her is much more typical of a rooster fight, the winning rooster can be brutal on the losing rooster just like that. It may be he regards her as being another rooster that he has defeated and must drive out so he remains the boss rooster. If that's his behavioral mode, unfortunately it is Very Hard to deal with it if you have only one coop/run. Separation really is the only solution in close quarters.

I would recommend there be separation, probably best be him separated from the whole group so the hen/pullet all stay toghether so the ranking/order remains stable and re introduce the cockerel a month later. Two birds who have fought have fairly good memories which last for a while, so maybe what works is for him to either forget or mostly forget his fight with this hen and hopefully he will court them all as his new harem including this one hen- she may still be fearful of him and hopefully he will not read any of that as a threat to be put down.

if separating him from the flock, do NOT be tempted or feel sorry for him and move a pullet or more with him. If separated with him the pullets will become much more confident and start fights with the other hens once they are reunited. Possibly making the cockerel exhibit another behaviorual failure with the hens... most roosters don;t but its really odd he treated a hen this bad, so..

 

[chickens really]

Yes....I am a bit surprised he is still wanting to attack and kill her...Remove him as others have said...Strange for sure..Try him in a month and see if that changes the behaviour?? He might have to go??

Best of luck.....

 

[jlholm]

Thank you, all. I was also thinking he his acting like she is another rooster. But I have not had experience with roosters before, so was not sure if this is normal or not. I will separate him for now and see how that goes, but I may have to resort to getting rid of him. I'm not up for that kind of drama with my little flock, who are pets, not production hens. I wanted the protection for the flock, but not being terrorized in their own coop!
I love being able to discuss all this with other chicken owners and listening to others experience.

 

[chickens really]

Thank you, all. I was also thinking he his acting like she is another rooster. But I have not had experience with roosters before, so was not sure if this is normal or not. I will separate him for now and see how that goes, but I may have to resort to getting rid of him. I'm not up for that kind of drama with my little flock, who are pets, not production hens. I wanted the protection for the flock, but not being terrorized in their own coop!
I love being able to discuss all this with other chicken owners and listening to others experience.

Best of luck....No Rooster is worth harming the Hens...

Cheers!

 

[aart]

8 month old cockerel....... top hen is not submitting to him and he's too inexperienced to woo her.

Also would be interesting to know how long the 2 groups have been together and how they were integrated.

I'd confine him....maybe give him another chance in a few months......or get rid of him.

 

[jlholm]

No, he does not "woo" any of his hens, unfortunately. How does a rooster learn that behavior? The new group came this spring. After the brooding period, they went to an attached, but separated "temporary" coop and run, where the two groups could see each other but not touch. I started adding time in the yard with the others, hike till separated by a pen, then gradually added time in the main run together for short periods of time until they finally moved in. They have been living together, now, for about 4 months with no issues other than a few squabbles for roost position at night, nothing serious.

 

[jlholm]

Thank you aart!

 

[jlholm]

I have seen him make a shorthal hearted attempt at a rooster dance, but usually only after he already snuck up on them from behind! Is hoping he'd learn as he goes, lol! If we can keep him, that is. Today will be the deciding day. I will seperatenhim today while I decide what my best toon is.

 

[jlholm]

Just an update on my Roo situation. I kept him separated from the girls for a few days (he went absolutely crazy not being able to see his girls!) since I let him rejoin the flock, he seems to have quit attacking my hen, but now he chases all the 3 year old hens away from the young flock and they hide whenever he is in sight. If any of the "older" girls try to join in with the flock to forage or get treats, he chases them away. I don't have the facilities to keep the two flocks separately. Is there anyway to that anyone knows to encourage him to accept the older girls or do I need to give up and let him go. He does such a great job with his young girls that I have put off getting rid of him as long as I can, and I'm a little worried about what will happen with the flock when he's gone, but can't justify getting rid of all the 3 year olds, either. Thanks for all your help and responses! This is the first place I go for advice and information!

 

[aart]

I'm surprised he is chasing off the hens.
I'd get rid of him, I don't think he's good sire material.....or try again to seclude him, for longer this time.
Do the hens and pullets get along when he is locked up?

Might need to look at your long terms goals for chickeneering in order to make this management decision.