Hens refuse to mate, injuries

[Attila8the8Hen]

Wondering if anyone has had similar situation. I had a flock of 7 hens and 1 roo. All was peaceful for the first year and Juan Carlos Hathcock Santana (roo) was a perfect gentleman and flock protector. Their first adult spring came and all but two hens went broody. The non broody ladies got bare backs of course. The chicks are now 3-4 months old and Juan has become quite insecure. He is constantly crowing, flapping and has become very rough with the 4 girls that will reluctanatly let him mate. He has cut two and the rest are getting more featherless each day. They are stressed and run away most of the time which seems to encourage him. I wonder if he will calm down. Is it the change in flock dynamics? I'm very fond of him but must stop the injuries and stress for the poor girls. Hoping someone tells me it's a phase!

 

[Cyprus]

He's essentially being a 'teenager' at this age. He's probably realized at this point that he's the only man available and he wants to pass on his genes, and maybe even reinforce his place in the pecking order.
His place in the pecking order may feel especially threatened if any of those chicks are males, as they will be mature soon.

To prevent further injury to his favored hens, I would highly recommend getting a chicken saddle as soon as possible for them. In the long run, giving him more hens of a non-broody breed will reduce over breeding, especially during broody spells. Just don't get leghorns, they are too small for most roosters.

 

[aart]

The chicks are now 3-4 months old and Juan has become quite insecure.

How many of those chicks are males?
The male chicks maybe starting to produce male hormones and your adult cockbird knows this. He's not feeling insecure, he's feeling competitive. I'd remove all cockerel chicks from the flock and see if Juan doesn't calm down.

Also could be a crowding thing....how big is your coop and run, in feet by feet.
How many chicks are there in addition to your 8 adult birds?

Some of the feather loss could also be that the hens are close to molting....or just have brittle feathers.

 

[Attila8the8Hen]

How many of those chicks are males?
The male chicks maybe starting to produce male hormones and your adult cockbird knows this. He's not feeling insecure, he's feeling competitive. I'd remove all cockerel chicks from the flock and see if Juan doesn't calm down.

Also could be a crowding thing....how big is your coop and run, in feet by feet.
How many chicks are there in addition to your 8 adult birds?

Some of the feather loss could also be that the hens are close to molting....or just have brittle feathers.

Their run is about half an acre and they sometimes freerange on a further acre. I did just send 5 confirmed boys to freezer camp (devastating first time!) And thought this may calm him (no luck). I suspect there are 3 more and hoping to keep one of them as I think I'll end up with 20ish hens all up. They may well be close to moulting. Good point. Thanks so much for your reply.

 

[Attila8the8Hen]

He's essentially being a 'teenager' at this age. He's probably realized at this point that he's the only man available and he wants to pass on his genes, and maybe even reinforce his place in the pecking order.
His place in the pecking order may feel especially threatened if any of those chicks are males, as they will be mature soon.

To prevent further injury to his favored hens, I would highly recommend getting a chicken saddle as soon as possible for them. In the long run, giving him more hens of a non-broody breed will reduce over breeding, especially during broody spells. Just don't get leghorns, they are too small for most roosters.

I did make a saddle for the baldest lady. Managed to keep it on for a whopping 4 days. Will keep trying! What would you recommend for non broody breeds? Thank you for your reply.

 

[Cyprus]

What would you recommend for non broody breeds?

New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Plymouth Rock, Polish, Sex Link

 

[Attila8the8Hen]

New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Plymouth Rock, Polish, Sex Link

All my Rhody crosses went very broody. May have to try the Plymouths. Thank you!