Hen Killing Rooster - Pecking Order

[kristin24seven]

Hi, I have a hen we call "Big Red" she is sweet, she lets us pick her up and pet her, but when it comes to the pecking order she will kill my other chickens to stay on top. I've had her the longest and she lost her other friend (another hen) about 2 years ago. She starting brooding and did so for about 2-3 weeks before we finally pulled her out and put her in a dog kennel to break her brooding. We got 10 new chickens (all laying) and introduced them to her. When we came home after work, no more than 1 day after we got them, we found a barred rock dead with her standing beside it. The other hens were all shoved to the side of the run, as far away as they could get from her. That was about 1.5 year, or so ago.

About 6 months ago I got two chicks from my sister, who decided it was too much work. One of them ended up being a rooster. He started crowing about 1 month ago. Him and his sister stay in a separate cage to avoid any issues with big red. He is sweet. During the day we let everyone free range around the yard and in the neighbors yard in the our cul-de-sac, so lots of space. This morning when I let the rooster and all the hens out, big red acted aggressive and started pecking. The rooster tried to defend himself and I separated them. When I went to lock up the coop just now, my poor sweet rooster was in the corner of the big coop, not his, and he was dead. I think Big Red killed him. I guess I'm here for comfort and to see if anyone has dealt with such an aggressive hen. Thanks.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

I’m sorry about your losses. I would rehome your Big Red for the safety and well-being of the flock. Sorry! Do y free range? I had a RIR hen at was cannibalizing one of my sweet Brahmasranges his 50+ chickens and she is thriving without being aggressive. Some chickens do not do well with confinement.

 

[centrarchid]

Picture of hen?

 

[Redhead Rae]

I've never dealt with a hen that bad, but if I had one that bad, I would send her to freezer camp before she killed anyone else. I know you like her, but she has a GIANT bolt loose in her noggin if she is killing other birds.

If you don't like that solution, I would try isolating her for a few days and doing a see, no touch intro with her in a dog crate and the other birds having free reign. Another solution is to get pinless peepers which are blinders so the bird can't see directly in front to peck at other birds.

How old are your other birds?

 

[MissChick@dee]

Dang...i have what I call a alpha hen. She’s my favorite. But nothing like Red. I’m afraid I’d have to cull her. Wouldn’t want to give her away. She’s too dangerous. I’ve seen my hen fight Roosters. I’ve seen Rosters fight Rosters. But to the death never. Wow

 

[varidgerunner]

My asil hens are all like that. Rooster better be up for the task if he wants to mate with them.

 

[blackandtan]

Maybe separate her for a couple weeks? Sometimes they lose their place in the pecking order and actually calm down a bit
Or make soup.

 

[kristin24seven]

Thanks for the feedback. It's the craziest thing. The other hens won't challenge her and she doesn't peck at them or anything. Only when she is challenged and it looks like its when a new 'alfa' regardless of a hen or rooster is introduced to the flock. What's crazy is she is not the biggest, my rooster was a meat bird and huge. I am concerned about my hen "little" she is bigger than red, but so heavy she has a wonky leg so she hobbles around. Without my rooster their to protect her (they were best friends) not sure how she will fair being by herself.

They free range every day so not in confinement at all. They are able to come and go as they please. I do lock them up at night in two separate coops, but apparently I needed to be more concerned with the daytime activity.

The other birds are probably the same age, except my new hen which is about 6 months, but much bigger than all of the others.

 

[Redhead Rae]

Thanks for the feedback. It's the craziest thing. The other hens won't challenge her and she doesn't peck at them or anything. Only when she is challenged and it looks like its when a new 'alfa' regardless of a hen or rooster is introduced to the flock. What's crazy is she is not the biggest, my rooster was a meat bird and huge. I am concerned about my hen "little" she is bigger than red, but so heavy she has a wonky leg so she hobbles around. Without my rooster their to protect her (they were best friends) not sure how she will fair being by herself.

They free range every day so not in confinement at all. They are able to come and go as they please. I do lock them up at night in two separate coops, but apparently I needed to be more concerned with the daytime activity.

The other birds are probably the same age, except my new hen which is about 6 months, but much bigger than all of the others.

One possibility, if your rooster was a meat bird, he probably had a heart attack while trying to fight her. Meat birds (I'm assuming they were white Cornish Cross birds) don't usually live over 1-2 years because of heart of leg issues. They aren't bred to live well past 6 weeks, which is when most of them are slaughtered.

 

[pennyJo1960]

My vote is freezer camp also