Hen injured by rooster

[CaliTX]

We had a rooster show up a little over a week ago, he seemed to be fairly respectful of the hens so I let him stay. However he has been chasing my barred rock hen, Missy, relentlessly. He's torn a huge gash into the back of her neck as well as pecking at her cone and the top of her head is missing some feathers too. This hen is normally very outgoing but has been hiding and sneaking around the past couple of days. I feel terrible for her. I caught her and put her in the brooder by herself with some food and water, and sprayed Blue Kote on her wound. Is there anything else I should do for her?
Also, I'm thinking of just eating the roo. Is that overreacting?

 

[bj taylor]

I have a year old rooster (black australorp - big). I also have four girls. he's good with them, but breeds hard. they have bared backs. two weeks ago I got a lone hen. the rest of her flock had been killed. I thought I could merge her w/my flock. the rooster won't let hit happen. he's very mean to her. he's torn part of her comb & pecks her head hard. she's still alone because of him. the other girls don't like breeding w/him because he is so rough.
I think I need to cull him. it's very hard. I've never done it before & he's a spectacular specimen of rooster. I've been going round and round in my mind about this.

I understand your dilemma. I look forward to some words of wisdom coming to your post.

 

[dawg53]

The rooster has got to go because once you return your BR back with the others, he'll go after her again. As for the huge gash on the back of her neck; flush it with a 50/50 mixture of betadine and water. Then pack it with neosporin ointment, without pain reliever. Keep her seperated until she's healed, continue with feed and water.

 

[bj taylor]

why does a rooster single out one hen to torment? I would think they would want as many females as they could get. it's baffling to me.

 

[CaliTX]

Thank you- I've got a friend coming over this week to help me process him.

why does a rooster single out one hen to torment? I would think they would want as many females as they could get. it's baffling to me.

I'm curious as to why they do this too. I know that my rooster is mating with all of the hens, I've seen him, but he just torments Missy to no end. When he is mating with her he pecks at her and pulls her feathers out. The other hens, he holds on to them but doesn't pull their feathers out. They don't make him chase as much, Missy avoids him at all costs.

 

[dawg53]

Your BR could be his favorite hen, more "breedable/fertile," and he knows it. On the flip side, roosters sometimes try to eliminate older hens that arnt "productive." Survival of the fittest. I've had it happen....got rid of the rooster.

 

[BeetleChick]

Our rooster (barred rock) had 5 barred rock hens, he was always mean to us and somewhat rough with the hens. He killed a hen and injuried 3 more, you are wise to take care of the problem before something worse happens. Needless to say the rooster is gone.