My rooster is evil

[aart]

He has attacked me many times, really bad. I think he may have to go.

.....and you're still not sure?

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

Two of the hens are pecked clean of feathers and open red soars. The rooster is cuckoo & BR.

Ok. I'd do a couple of experiments. Separate the rooster to see if he's really the cause. I had no rooster and my hens where plucking and eating feather off of each other, so you want to be sure it's the rooster, not the other hens.
On the wounds, separate the injured birds and clean their wounds. Hens will peck at any sign of blood, so keep them separated until they're healed, or put Blu-Kot on them. (Warning: I've heard from several people that Blue-Kot stings!)

 

[ETortellini]

Ok. I'd do a couple of experiments. Separate the rooster to see if he's really the cause. I had no rooster and my hens where plucking and eating feather off of each other, so you want to be sure it's the rooster, not the other hens.
On the wounds, separate the injured birds and clean their wounds. Hens will peck at any sign of blood, so keep them separated until they're healed, or put Blu-Kot on them. (Warning: I've heard from several people that Blue-Kot stings!)

I noticed when he is on those two hens the others peck them as well. Only when he is on them. I kept my eye on them while mowing and the the others hens only joined in when he was on top.

 

[nuthatched]

If you have to ask....you already have your answer. If he were mine, he would be long gone months ago.

 

[Geena]

I noticed when he is on those two hens the others peck them as well. Only when he is on them. I kept my eye on them while mowing and the the others hens only joined in when he was on top.

Are you certain there's only one rooster/cockerel?

 

[ETortellini]

Are you certain there's only one rooster/cockerel?

Yes

 

[Battlepants]

he may have killed one hen months ago. I found her dead with a snapped neck.

I feel like this is more likely a hawk attack. My first cockerel went this way too. Still miss the little dude.

I see my hens back if their heads and neck open soars and gashes.

This sounds like overmating. I would review your rooster to hen ratio. Ideally you want about 8 hens per rooster to make sure they are getting enough rest. Hen saddles are somewhat of a middleground if he decides to really focus on a couple hens anyway.

He has attacked me many times, really bad.

This is never acceptable and will likely only get worse. Unfortunately chickens really need to be thought of as livestock first and pets second. They are allowed to live on our land so long as they respect us and provide for us. If they are a detriment to us, they have to go.

On a side note, you didn't mention any kids in this story, but if there is a kid, 100% get rid of this rooster now. A rouge rooster can badly injure an adult, but can permanently maim a child. A flying spur to the face could mean going through life with only one eye.

Always rank yourself and your family above your flock.

Unfortunately, I think I have to. Kind of bummed about, I like hearing him crow.

Check out https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/animals-in-need-of-free-re-homing.16182/ or your local craigslist for roosters. Chances are you can find a friendly one.

Of course, make sure you have a good amount of hens prior to taking on another rooster.

 

[50-45-1]

An aggresive rooster can kill a hen. In my expierence if a hen resists his advances he will get rougher and more focused on a particular hen who does not submit.
A rooster that abuses a hen of mine here would not last much longer than it takes me to walk to the house and get my gun. And yours already has shown human aggression, a definite death sentence. I have egg customers sometimes with children. A attack rooster can do serious damage to an adult, let alone a child.
Roosters are plentiful around the country when all those spring chicks grow up and folks have an access to find homes for.
If anyone tells you it's normal for your rooster to attack you, that is so very wrong. It's common, but not something anyone has to put up with. 50 years of chicken ownership here and never have I tolerated that behavior.
No rooster is better than this. Something should have been done before your hens arrived in this pitiful condition.
Just for more information as there may be more factors at work here.
How much room do these chickens have, coop and run?
How many chickens total?
What are you feeding?
Are you getting eggs?

Other birds pecking at a hen being mounted sounds like multiple rooster behavior, or they are becoming canabal hoping for the taste of blood .
Managing a rooster takes a firm hand and a low tolerance of misbehavior and shenanigans.
Below is my nice rooster Ringo (4 years old) and some of his harem last winter. Notice no haggard hens or missing feathers. A peaceful coop.

A nice rooster is out there for you. Please for the sake of your hens get rid of this one ASAP.
A good rooster is one that fears YOU! and keeps his distance. Dont make a pet of him. I only touch Ringo after dark with a flashlight for spur trimming and health checks.

 

[Fwoof]

Two of the hens are pecked clean of feathers and open red soars. The rooster is cuckoo & BR.

If that's the case, get rid of your rooster as soon as possible.

 

[ETortellini]

Thanks for the replies. To answer some of the questions above. They are in a run, I can’t free range because there is a high population of bobcats near my house. I’ve been down that road. They eat layer feed, with larva and cracked corn as daily treats. I keep the henhouse and run clean. If I am working in the yard, I will let them out for a little while.
The roosters actually came after me again this morning. What a pain in the ass.