Help PLEASE Molting Hen/Aggressive Rooster/Loss

[Nicci0110]

I have lost several hens over the last 2 years. 4 to a dog, 1 to sickness, 2 to a fox, 1 to a raccoon. I am rebuilding my flock now. I currently am down to 3 adult hens and one RIR rooster. They were raised together. One of those hens had her first HARD molt. I think she is through with it, but my rooster must think she's sick. He isn't letting her eat. She is staying in the nesting box when they are in the run. He has been an excellent rooster. I have a lot of time and energy put into him. He protects them. He saved what I had left by fighting those dogs. He is a great sky watcher and feeds his hens. Will his attitude towards her go away eventually? She was at the top of the pecking order but isn't now.

I have a grow out pen with 3 3-month-old hens. I also have 6 babies that will eventually be with him also.

Should I place the 3-month-olds in with the adult hens (3 and 3) and put him in the grow out pen alone for a bit? They are copper Marans (same size as my adults) and a zombie chicken (a little smaller than the adults but not an aggressor)

Do I need to get rid of him? I really do not want to. He is such a good rooster most of the time.
Can he be ok with only 3 hens until spring?

I will not have any more sexually mature hens until spring.
Advice please!

 

[wrathsfarm]

I have lost several hens over the last 2 years. 4 to a dog, 1 to sickness, 2 to a fox, 1 to a raccoon. I am rebuilding my flock now. I currently am down to 3 adult hens and one RIR rooster. They were raised together. One of those hens had her first HARD molt. I think she is through with it, but my rooster must think she's sick. He isn't letting her eat. She is staying in the nesting box when they are in the run. He has been an excellent rooster. I have a lot of time and energy put into him. He protects them. He saved what I had left by fighting those dogs. He is a great sky watcher and feeds his hens. Will his attitude towards her go away eventually? She was at the top of the pecking order but isn't now.

I have a grow out pen with 3 3-month-old hens. I also have 6 babies that will eventually be with him also.

Should I place the 3-month-olds in with the adult hens (3 and 3) and put him in the grow out pen alone for a bit? They are copper Marans (same size as my adults) and a zombie chicken (a little smaller than the adults but not an aggressor)

Do I need to get rid of him? I really do not want to. He is such a good rooster most of the time.
Can he be ok with only 3 hens until spring?

I will not have any more sexually mature hens until spring.
Advice please!

Could you explain further how he is not letting her eat? Is he driving her off the feed?

If she is staying away from the others and hiding out in the nest boxes, I would attribute that to she still molting and not feeling well and probably choosing to not eat.
If your roo IS actively chasing her off feed I would consider separating the hen in a look but no touch til you can see her recover or if there's another underlying issue going on warranting his aggressiveness towards her.

Hopeful your girl gets well soon.

 

[Mrs. K]

I think I would do that. I think I might just add the three -3month old birds to the group - watch, more birds just might help. If that is a wreck, then I would move the rooster into the grow out pen for 2-4 months.

Or you could move your molting bird into the grow out pen...by herself, until she gets her feathers back and her confidence.

Truly - you need to do something different - try it one way, try it another until you get peace in the flock.

Mrs K

 

[sourland]

Truly - you need to do something different - try it one way, try it another until you get peace in the flock.

Mrs K

Bottom line is that the molting hen needs to be separated from the rooster one way or the other so that she can recover.

 

[Nicci0110]

Could you explain further how he is not letting her eat? Is he driving her off the feed?

If she is staying away from the others and hiding out in the nest boxes, I would attribute that to she still molting and not feeling well and probably choosing to not eat.
If your roo IS actively chasing her off feed I would consider separating the hen in a look but no touch til you can see her recover or if there's another underlying issue going on warranting his aggressiveness towards her.

Hopeful your girl gets well soon.

He will run her away from feed if he is eating. He doesnt do it to the others. I have been giving her nutri drench during her molt. She stays close to the them but keeps her distance when they are free ranging. If they are in the run (she stays in the nesting box) she is not broody. He seems to run her back to the coop/nesting box when she comes out to eat. She pretty much has her feathers back. She shows no illness. She seems depressed from losing her rank in the order.

 

[Nicci0110]

I think I would do that. I think I might just add the three -3month old birds to the group - watch, more birds just might help. If that is a wreck, then I would move the rooster into the grow out pen for 2-4 months.

Or you could move your molting bird into the grow out pen...by herself, until she gets her feathers back and her confidence.

Truly - you need to do something different - try it one way, try it another until you get peace in the flock.

Mrs K

We added her to the grow outs over the weekend and she was panicked about not being near her flock. Spent the entire time pacing the run looking at them and squawking. She did do fine with the littles though.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Wanted to add... I give my boys and girls some extra boost during hard molts by way of electrolytes along side their fresh water, canned tuna in water for a protein boost and plain yogurt is good stuff to help in this rough time.

 

[Nicci0110]

I think I would do that. I think I might just add the three -3month old birds to the group - watch, more birds just might help. If that is a wreck, then I would move the rooster into the grow out pen for 2-4 months.

Or you could move your molting bird into the grow out pen...by herself, until she gets her feathers back and her confidence.

Truly - you need to do something different - try it one way, try it another until you get peace in the flock.

Mrs K

Also, my rooster is probably going to hurt the 3 month olds by attempting to mate them before they are ready.

 

[Nicci0110]

Wanted to add... I give my boys and girls some extra boost during hard molts by way of electrolytes along side their fresh water, canned tuna in water for a protein boost and plain yogurt is good stuff to help in this rough time.

Mine get a ton of treats. They are pets for me. They are getting additional meal worms, rotisserie chicken, and tons of veggies

 

[Mrs. K]

No, I don't think he will bother the younger birds. One can never say for sure, but generally, a rooster is attracted to a bright red comb. The pullets won't have that.

Where one gets into trouble with a cockerel and pullets - is when they are flock mates, all the same age, and there are no older hens to thump some manners into them. Especially if there are multiple cockerels. Then competition, and the fact that they are bigger than the pullets can make the pullets lives hell.

Mrs K