Hen Killing Rooster - Pecking Order

[kristin24seven]

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.

Yeah, but if was weird, his head was as far into the corner as he could get, like he was in time out, so I'm not sure. no blood or wounds so quite possibly you are right. I'm in Texas so it is ridiculously hot out, 102+. Unfortunately, I don't know what breed my new birds are since I inherited them from my sis, but just based on size I think they are meat birds.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you post some photos of all your birds?

 

[micstrachan]

I’d be separating Big Red for now until you figure it out.

 

[centrarchid]

We either have a major hen breed issue involving an improperly kept oriental game hen or a major not really knowing what is going on. Doing a little digging on previous postings by OP, I think it is latter. So everyone it now jumping the gun.

 

[varidgerunner]

Rhode island reds supposedly have Malay in them. Malay is Oriental game. This is natural behavior that pops up from time to time. If a rooster can't achieve dominance over the hen, then he can't pass on inferior genes. They are supposed to be like this, but these traits have been bred out of most modern composite breeds. Chickens have the capacity to be the savage and brutal little dinosaurs that they are. She needs her own pen and some eggs to set on.

 

[Chickassan]

Can we please see a photo of Big Red, just to see what you're dealing with here?

 

[kristin24seven]

Here are pictures of all of my hens. Little (my roosters sister) is the one by herself. She's the meat bird. My rooster was the same size as her, but taller. She's big and her feet are twice the size if not bigger than Big Red. Red is the one on the roost with the other hens. My husband put his hand on the cage for scale, but I don't know if it actually provided a reference.

Today, I let little out and Big Red chased her off. I stayed their until Red ran across the street and no casualties today, but little is the one that has a deformed foot so she can't hang with the pack.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

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.

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.

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.

his head was as far into the corner as he could get, like he was in time out, so I'm not sure. no blood or wounds so quite possibly you are right. I'm in Texas so it is ridiculously hot out, 102+.

Thank you for the photos.

So you only have 5 hens including Big Red + the meat bird correct?

What are your plans for the meat bird? Is she able to go outside at all or do her leg troubles cause problems?

You mention that you found the cockerel (boy meat bird) in the corner of the big coop, but that is not normally where he "lives" correct? Your temps of 102+ I would consider that as a possible contributor to his death. If he were being chased in the coop/outside, stress from being just a meat bird plus heat could be detrimental.

In the photos all your birds look to be panting/under stress - I assume due to heat. How much ventilation do you have in the big coop?

I'm sorry for you loss, but I personally don't think that Big Red "killed" the cockerel, she may have chased/harassed him like established flock members do when they are not happy with new additions.
Unless you actually saw the killing, I would not be blaming her. As for what happened 1.5yrs ago, unless you saw what happened there, again, it would be hard to know. I too have had a bird die in the run (I saw it) one or two birds were standing over the body when I walked outside to get the body and examine her - if I had just walked upon the "scene" it's possible I could have thought they killed her, but I would have had to see evidence.

Just my 2¢

 

[kristin24seven]

Thank you for the photos.

So you only have 5 hens including Big Red + the meat bird correct? Yes so 6 total.

What are your plans for the meat bird? Is she able to go outside at all or do her leg troubles cause problems? We are go to keep little, out meat bird. She goes outside all the time and walks around. She just walks with a limp.

You mention that you found the cockerel (boy meat bird) in the corner of the big coop, but that is not normally where he "lives" correct? Correct, they do not stay in that particular coop, but they (the meat birds) go in there when the other chickens aren't in there. Your temps of 102+ I would consider that as a possible contributor to his death. If he were being chased in the coop/outside, stress from being just a meat bird plus heat could be detrimental. Yes, that is true.

In the photos all your birds look to be panting/under stress - I assume due to heat. How much ventilation do you have in the big coop? Both coops have great ventilation and are equipped with fans to circulate the air.

I'm sorry for you loss, but I personally don't think that Big Red "killed" the cockerel, she may have chased/harassed him like established flock members do when they are not happy with new additions.
Unless you actually saw the killing, I would not be blaming her. As for what happened 1.5yrs ago, unless you saw what happened there, again, it would be hard to know. I too have had a bird die in the run (I saw it) one or two birds were standing over the body when I walked outside to get the body and examine her - if I had just walked upon the "scene" it's possible I could have thought they killed her, but I would have had to see evidence. I won't be killing Big Red because of the incident. She is good around the flock she has now, which took some doing, it is just with new introductions. Unfortunately, were not around with both incidents, but we have experienced her with other chickens and she is relentless if one tries to challenge her.

Also, the first time our Barred Rock was killed, the reaction of all the hens when big red was reintroduced to the flock after about 3 weeks of solitude (they stayed clear and it was very obvious all of them were leary of being around her. Thanks for all of the comments and I appreciate the feedback.

Just my 2¢