Mean Ol' Rotten Rooster

[mvinotime]

Well I have had my flocks for about 6 mos. I have a rooster and four hens. They all came together from a friend who needed to downsize. My rooster is HUGE. He has always been very aggressive with the girls and I often notice lost patches of hair where he is getting at them. However they all seem to be fine and happy. Until now. I have found he is really after one in particular and she is hiding from him and not wanting to go back in coop and has some wounds from his spurs etc. I had found her and tried to put her back in and he went at her immediately three times before I got him out of there. When I did she just went for the food like crazy as I think she has been afraid to come out and eat because of him??? Last night I left him out of the coop to give her a little break and allow her some peace. He roosted on top of the coop. My question is this, when you have a rooster who is actually hurting the hen(s) what is the best course of action. I am new to chickens and have not come across this issue as of yet until now. Appreciate any input. Thanks!

 

[chicmom]

Well, first, ask yourself this question: Why do you have a rooster? Do you want fertile eggs for hatching? If you don't really care about that, then you really don't need a rooster at all.

Alot of people like roosters because they protect the flock, and they're beautiful. If you feel the same way, then maybe you should get rid of that rooster, and try and find one that is more gentle.

Another idea is, if you have room, get more hens. That way, he will have more girls to mate with, and then eventually, all the ladies will start looking better. Sometimes, a rooster just has a favorite hen, and nothing changes that though. (Get her a hen saddle, if you want to keep him.)

Hen saddles! They are like these little aprons for the hen's back, and they do a great job of protecting the ladies, which also allows the feathers to grow back. They're relatively inexpensive, and members here sell them in the "Everything else for sale" section.

Another thing you could do is trim those spurs. Yep, cut them off. They will bleed, so have some septic powder available when you do that. It stops bleeding.

I hope these suggestions help you! Have a fantastic day!
Sharon

 

[chefchick]

two words... FREEZER CAMP! Sent some there myself this past weekend.

 

[mvinotime]

Thank you! I really appreciate the replies. I do not want fertile eggs...just flock protection (plus he is pretty lol) but I cant have him traumatizing my hens I have never heard of a hen saddle! WOW! I am going to check those out...I am so curious Ok I had wondered about cutting the spurs...they are HUGE! I will definetely do that right away. Also, can I leave him out of the coop at night? To at least give the girls a reprieve? The one hen he was all over was almost in shock, scared, hiding in the dark corner, wouldnt eat, looked bad. So I noticed this morning with him locked out she is down eating and drinking and scratching in her yard.

 

[astormygirl]

I had a mean roo like that and he ended up killing my hen so yes he can stay out all night if you don't mind that he may be dinner for a night critter. I would tend to agree with finding him a home and getting a nicer roo or putting him in the freezer.

 

[devora]

I do not want fertile eggs...just flock protection (plus he is pretty lol) but I cant have him traumatizing my hens night?

The one hen he was all over was almost in shock, scared, hiding in the dark corner, wouldnt eat, looked bad. So I noticed this morning with him locked out she is down eating and drinking and scratching in her yard.

You don't need him for "protection." He's not going to fight off a predator. You don't want fertile eggs. And he's upsetting your hens.

Eat him!

 

[speckledhen]

He's not good for your hens. Get rid of him. If a hen is hiding from him, he needs to go, quickly. Many roosters are good to their hens, so you can either get a better one, or just not have one at all.