need help :)

[mule13]

Hi,
I'm new to chickens. i got 7 about 2 months ago. they are about 6 or 7 months old now.i have a mixed group.rooster is a buff orington, have a hen buff orington also. i have a rhode island red hen, and 3 white hens with black spots.(no idea what they are)
so my problem is this: the little rooster keeps chasing, holding down, and attacking the head of one of the whites.she is the smallest of the chickens i have, and she looks dirty always.should i remove her to a carrying cage i have for rabbits? i'm not sure what to do, any ideas help would be appreciated



Thanks John


Wasnt sure where to put this, hope this is the right thread

 

[cnicho05]

Hello,

From my experience I would suggest you remove the rooster from the group of hens. If at all possible, I would keep him within eye sight of the hens as he will likely be loud if he can hear them but not see them. I would keep him separated for several weeks while the hens have the time to better acclimate to their environment. During this time, this specific hen should have time to grow slightly larger. This may resolve the problem when you later allow the rooster back into the same area with the hens.

I also wonder if this hen is a bantam breed. You said she was white with spots and small...which means should could be a white Sebright hen. If this is accurate than it is possible that the rooster is simple to large of a bird. I would better research the breed of this hen by posting pictures of the discussion form.

I would also like to provide a word of caution when it comes to a problem like this. If you decided to remove any of the hens or rooster for any given period of time you must watch them carefully when reuniting them. At this point in the process the chickens might not remember one another and you will start back at step one of the process. Watch, watch, watch them closely to make sure they are getting along well. The last thing you want is for one of them to harm the other.

 

[mule13]

Thanks for the reply,

i have 2 other white chickens like the small one. so i'm sure she isnt a bantam just the slowest to grow? or maybe sick . i'm not sure i'm new at this she eats and she did go up in the coop. i think she is just small and weak maybe? the rooster chases the other hens also but never hopes on them and grabs their heads like he does this one.

 

[seminolewind]

What I have done with a rooster with little manners is wrap up their feet with tape or vetwrap so they can't run fast. That kindof levels things out. Yes, they will look like they have big socks on.

 

[mule13]

i cant even imagine trying to tape up a roosters foot lol if he continues his antics i will have to do soemthing for sure. their in the coop now so they all resting never here much but little chirps when they in there.I'm gonna watch him tomorrow and see how he does.

I'm down the road from you a bit Seminole wind i'm in ocala
and thanks for the reply

 

[seminolewind]

I think there are a lot of BYCers in Ocala.

Roosters are easy. At night or evening, take him off the roost and wrap him snugly in a towel.