I have a rooster problem. I have nine hens over a year old. Then a rooster and three hens that are about 9 mos. old. The rooster has begun to assert his domination over the flock. All is mostly well. Except for one older hen. And it's not just the rooster. When he goes after her, many of the other hens jump in and peck her, too. They seem to all have it out for her. No blood, but lots of feather loss on her head, neck and chest. I'm getting out the pinless peepers for the worst aggressors, but I want the rooster to know I mean business - I want to separate him from the flock by way of a dog crate in the coop for a few days. Seems like after reading many threads on BYC that is a good thing to do. How do I do this? Do I need to put something for him to roost on in the crate? Or just bedding, food and water? Thanks for the help.
Just throw his mean butt in the crate. Don't worry. He doesn't need anything but less hormones. Of course keep it clean and put some bedding in, but no roost is really needed.
Sounds reasonable. Try adding a few places in the coop where the hen can hide. I always tell our customers to lay pieces of plywood or a pallet against a wall so they have a place to run to. Especially when adding new chickens to a flock. However this works with harassment as well.
