My rooster is attacking 2 of my hens

[Chickmom96]

My rooster who is a year and a half old has been attacking only 2 of my hens. We started with 6 hens and a rooster as babies. They were all in brooders and placed in the run together. Everything was fine and wonderful until we got a couple more hens. It wasn't really bad at first, noticed the typical bare back of a favorite and put hen saddles on them. He steadily got more aggressive toward the 2 girls. We moved him out for nearly a month. He was right by them outside the run in our goat pen. I then noticed 2 of my hens started becoming aggressive in the roosters absence so we moved a few with the rooster but left the aggressive ones with the 2 he attacked....the hens did not attack them only a couple I moved with the rooster. After awhile we opened the run into the goat pen so they all could go back and forth. I now have noticed the 2 never come out of the run because he chases them. Yesterday I went out and he had one by the back of her neck shaking her. I'm pretty sure we need to get rid of him, but he I'm so attached to him if we rehomed the hens would he move onto others? We now have 15 hens and he only picks on those 2.

 

[Matejka]

If a rooster shows ANY aggression (human or other chickens) he's gone. Rehome with totally transparency on his behavior or freezer. There are too many good roos out there for me to deal with chaos from a rooster (or hen).

 

[janiedoe]

I think you said, that when you moved the rooster out, two of the other hens became aggressive towards the "shy" hens. Is that right?
If so, those hens may be sick. Or just old and weak. Or, it may just be he & the other hens, didn't accept them as part of the flock. How long has it been since you introduced them into your flock?
If it has been long enough, that your sure the rooster just doesn't care for them, and if the flock is healthy, you could give the rooster and the two aggressive hens away, with a full disclosure. Alternatively, you could cull him. I wouldn't want a rooster like that myself. I do appreciate that you are attached to him. Good luck, whatever you decide.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Agree with other posters. Make sure the two bullied hens are not ill; check them well, inspect droppings, note last egg etc.
If all is well the roo has to go. Yes, he will likely move on to others, or you, with his behavior.

 

[Akennedy]

My rooster who is a year and a half old has been attacking only 2 of my hens. We started with 6 hens and a rooster as babies. They were all in brooders and placed in the run together. Everything was fine and wonderful until we got a couple more hens. It wasn't really bad at first, noticed the typical bare back of a favorite and put hen saddles on them. He steadily got more aggressive toward the 2 girls. We moved him out for nearly a month. He was right by them outside the run in our goat pen. I then noticed 2 of my hens started becoming aggressive in the roosters absence so we moved a few with the rooster but left the aggressive ones with the 2 he attacked....the hens did not attack them only a couple I moved with the rooster. After awhile we opened the run into the goat pen so they all could go back and forth. I now have noticed the 2 never come out of the run because he chases them. Yesterday I went out and he had one by the back of her neck shaking her. I'm pretty sure we need to get rid of him, but he I'm so attached to him if we rehomed the hens would he move onto others? We now have 15 hens and he only picks on those 2.

I had a rooster who grew up with all the hens suddenly decide he didn’t like the polish hen any more. I don’t know if it was because she was smaller and he had a harder time breeding with her. But he was constantly attacking her and chasing her away, like trying to get rid of her. So he had to go bye bye…

 

[Chickmom96]

Have an update. We traded him for a 3 mo old rooster. I contacted the lady we got him from and she took him back. She has a gentleman who takes her roosters and he said he would take him. My 2 girls are already doing so much better just 2 days after he left. Thank you all for the response!