Hen Has Bloody Head from Rooster

[Rosanna]

Hi All, I have 4 hens and 1 rooster (he's a silver laced wyandotte). They are all 4 months old and the rooster just began crowing and trying to mate with 2 of the hens this week. He only chases and bites 2 of the 4, and when he does they scream and run away. He's been really going after the one hen mostly and she is terrified of him. She has had a bloody head the past two days and I found her in a corner in the run yesterday with her head hidden she seemed so scared. I've read that the roosters can get aggressive when they are first starting to mate, but I feel so bad for her and I hate the sounds and that he's hurting her. I'm so scared that she will die. She's my favorite chick and I don't want to lose her or have her hurt. I'm wondering, should I get rid of my rooster? I didn't plan to buy a rooster, I originally bought 6 hens and he turned out to be a rooster. Will the girls be happier if he is gone? I'm really thinking of getting rid of him but need some advice as to what to do and if this is normal. Thank you!

 

[troy4]

No,dont get rid of him!Its nature.The hens will soon fight back.No worries just seperate him.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

She should be fine. I've had roosters rip part of the comb off of hens. Chicken mating is closer to rape than love making. It is kind of normal.
The hens will be both happier and sadder if he is gone. First of all, he's part of the flock they grew up with and he will be missed for that reason alone. A good rooster, though a rough mater, is a flock protector and tend to keep peace in the flock as well as provide fertile eggs and stand guard while the hens eat. I prefer to have one with each flock.


I suggest that you separate the rooster for a while, perhaps a month or two. The hens will be more receptive then.

 

[troy4]

Be sure if you seperate them to have near each other so they can still know each other,.

 

[Rosanna]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I don't have a place to keep him separate, I have one coop that is big enough for 6 chickens and a run that is attached to the coop for them. But I don't have a place to keep him separate and still protected by predators.

 

[troy4]

np!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

How about a cage in the garage or basement?

IMHO, one should always plan for a place to keep a bird separate from the flock for injuries, illness or quarantining flock additions.

ETA

Reintroduction of a rooster isn't nearly as much of an issue as a hen. The rooster will almost always rise to the top.

 

[Rosanna]

How about a cage in the garage or basement?

IMHO, one should always plan for a place to keep a bird separate from the flock for injuries, illness or quarantining flock additions.

ETA

Reintroduction of a rooster isn't nearly as much of an issue as a hen. The rooster will almost always rise to the top.

I do have room in the basement and garage that I would be able to keep one chicken in case of illness or injury, but I don't think it would make sense to keep the rooster separated from them inside, right? Plus I don't want him crowing inside the house. I'd want to have him outside somewhere ideally if I could. I just don't have another coop to keep him separate and protected from predators for a few weeks or however long I'd keep them apart. How long would you separate them for?