Hen And Roo fighting

[ChickAsThieves]

I would remove the hen from the flock for a few days so that she has to re-establish herself in the pecking order. Changing the dynamic of the flock will probably help. Good luck!

 

[TheTwoRoos]

I have a rooster who will take eggs and role them under him.

 

[abblcart]

I'm sure that he is a boy because of the cone and "Giblets"?( Don't know what the flaps from the chin are called) 2 of my younger roos, my sultan boy and silkie, have sat on an egg a few times but the sultan mates with my silkie hen. So I know that he is not a hen but he will sit on her eggs until I get them. The silkie roo has somewhat stopped sitting on eggs but every once in awhile he will. Also the silkie hen has stopped fighting with him but she has ran under him and flipped him over a few times but not straight up attacked him. I think what TheTwoRoos said is true, I think he is considered a weak rooster because he is now trying to mount other hens but they fight back and won't allow him to or their partners go after him.

Also a cute story- my oldest roo (Little Bean) that's a year older than all of them has, from what it looked like, shown the hens what to do with their first egg. He would lead them to the egg gobbling and chirping and then he would sit on the egg then get up and try to push the hen until she would sit on the egg. When she did stay on the egg he would march in place or do a happy dance or something but it was cute especially for a little bantam. He has done that for all of my hens when they first start laying. - I know that's not important but this conversation reminded me of those times and I had to share it.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Not important.... That's so cool!

I'm semi surprised, I guess... but more than that excited to hear it.

Who knew?!... I guess @TheTwoRoos did.

 

[drumstick diva]

I have read on BYC that some silkie cockerels often take an active part in raising chicks and sitting on eggs. That they will sit on the eggs while mama gets to run off , eat, drink, poop and do her nails and such. Also that they will protect chicks when mama introduces them to the flock. I've also read that some bantams act the same. I think it is just so neat - the birds sound more family oriented that a lot of people.

 

[kkelly003]

I have a 1 year old silkie rooster and 4 four year old hens. All has been well
until today. The most dominant hen in my flock viciously attacked my rooster. He then attacked her. Blood was drawn. This attacking went on for hours. I'm beside myself and don't know what to do...will this pass??

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I have a 1 year old silkie rooster and 4 four year old hens. All has been well
until today. The most dominant hen in my flock viciously attacked my rooster. He then attacked her. Blood was drawn. This attacking went on for hours. I'm beside myself and don't know what to do...will this pass??

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Never had that happen YET. Sounds like a great pecking order dispute between who wants to lead the flock.

Maybe she is tired of him hittin' on her.

Hours is quite a while. I MIGHT put the aggressor behind a fence with look but don't touch for a bit. In reality at 1 year old your boy has probably reached one of his maturing points which brings on different behaviors. Before he may have been most interested in mating. Maybe now he is interested in protecting the flock but the head hen isn't willing to give up her spot. They will likely work it out, hopefully without one being completely shunned from the group.

So is the hen following and attacking? Is it possible you just didn't see him start it? Are you hens Silkies also?

I let short scuffles take place, but when I see blood or if it last too long, I interrupt and make them retreat to their opposing corners.

How much room do you have for them to roam?

 

[chickens really]

I believe your issue stems from having to many Roosters..
This is not a Hen problem, but a management problem....Separate the Roosters and only keep one or two in the flock...


Best wishes..


Cheers!

 

[kkelly003]

Thanks everyone! Sadly, they are still fighting badly, drawing blood and feathers. We have decided that our Rooster must move out and have ordered a 2nd coop. I hate the thought of him being alone. He is fine with everyone else but the head hen. Wondering what your thoughts are on moving him out and getting him a hen or 2 of his own?

 

[kkelly003]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Never had that happen YET. Sounds like a great pecking order dispute between who wants to lead the flock.

Maybe she is tired of him hittin' on her.

Hours is quite a while. I MIGHT put the aggressor behind a fence with look but don't touch for a bit. In reality at 1 year old your boy has probably reached one of his maturing points which brings on different behaviors. Before he may have been most interested in mating. Maybe now he is interested in protecting the flock but the head hen isn't willing to give up her spot. They will likely work it out, hopefully without one being completely shunned from the group.

So is the hen following and attacking? Is it possible you just didn't see him start it? Are you hens Silkies also?

I let short scuffles take place, but when I see blood or if it last too long, I interrupt and make them retreat to their opposing corners.

How much room do you have for them to roam?

The Rooster is definitely starting the fighting. No one will back down. The hen is a 4 year old buff orpington....much bigger than he. They have been fighting so badly now that I had to take him out of the coop and order a 2nd coop where he will be going.
Unfortunately we have a hawk problem and the chickens are cooped up much of the day while i'm at work. They get to run the yard in the evening for several hours while I am out with them. But, this is not new. This has been their life for years now. Maybe my rooster has just reached maturity. This is very sad for me as I love my little rooster so much.