Help!!!!

[micstrachan]

Yes

Hmm... I don’t know anything about fighting breeds, but do wonder if they are bred to be more agressive in general, even toward hens. Sorry not to be if more help, but hopeful Shadrach will chime in from Spain.

 

[SarahGfa]

Hmm... I don’t know anything about fighting breeds, but do wonder if they are bred to be more agressive in general, even toward hens. Sorry not to be if more help, but hopeful Shadrach will chime in from Spain.

Fighting breeds tend to have better manners towards hens, because the gamefowl hens are aggressive enough to fight back. I have a leghorn rooster scalping my hens right now, he even tore part of the comb off one hen.

 

[Chicalina]

Not very old we got then in June and they was a couple of weeks old then. He is a Roundhouse

I've googled the breed of Roundhouse. Nothing.

What am I missing?

 

[LaFleche]

I have a rooster that has pecked a hens head so bad that you can see her skull she's still alive but what could cause him to do that? She's not the only one he has pecked on a couple more hens that's in the pen with him but not nearly as bad as he did that one

How old is he in months?

A rooster that is severely injuring several hens would go to my freezer ASAP.

ETA: I just found that he is still a cockerel seemingly overwhelmed by hormones.

So the best to do is separate him from the hens to prevent further damage and give him the time to mature and mellow somewhat.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have a rooster that has pecked a hens head so bad that you can see her skull she's still alive but what could cause him to do that? She's not the only one he has pecked on a couple more hens that's in the pen with him but not nearly as bad as he did that one

My brother took her to his house to try to doctor her up but what would make him do that to a hen

Not very old we got then in June and they was a couple of weeks old then. He is a Roundhouse

He is also crossed with a yellow leg hatch

Hi @AnnetteS2020 Welcome To BYC

Can you please post some photos of the stag, pullet (her injuries too) and where you are keeping them.

 

[AnnetteS2020]

I've googled the breed of Roundhouse. Nothing.

What am I missing?

Sorry my phone is stupid its called a roundhead not roundhouse auto correct

 

[AnnetteS2020]

Hi @AnnetteS2020 Welcome To BYC

Can you please post some photos of the stag, pullet (her injuries too) and where you are keeping them.

The hen is now at my brothers

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The hen is now at my brothers

That's o.k. I'm sure he can take some photos of the pullet and send them to you so you can post them

 

[roosterhavoc]

I have a rooster that has pecked a hens head so bad that you can see her skull she's still alive but what could cause him to do that? She's not the only one he has pecked on a couple more hens that's in the pen with him but not nearly as bad as he did that one

He’s still an immature stag and would be better off kept by himself until he fully matures. Sometimes it’s just hormones and the aggressive nature of the rooster. If the hens in with him are also game hens they can be aggressive too so if he’s trying to dominate them they might fight back causing the issue. This is pretty common with young stags because they haven’t yet fully earned the hens respect.

How many hens are in with him? Size of pen? Etc..

 

[micstrachan]

Sorry; I did not mean to heat up the thread by asking about fighting breeds. I was simply trying to understand if it was a factor injuring the hens or it was more hormone. I have learned a couple interesting things here. I was aware they tend to have fewer health (especially reproductive) issues, but did not know the mature roosters can actually be better behaved. Fascinating!

Anyway, @AnnetteS2020 was your question answered? I believe your best bet might be to separate him until he matures and go from there. Right now, it sounds like his behavior is more likely from the hormones and less likely from the breed, but once he matures, you’ll probably know for sure.