Need some advice for a sweet hen?

[cchicks]

I have 17 week old chickens. I ended up with 3 roosters and 12 hens. One of the sweetest hens runs from the roosters which causes them to chase her. She started flying to get away and can fly up to 7 feet high. We clipped a wing to keep her inside the coop. (Worried about other predators getting her) now she can still fly, but not as high and runs when a rooster is near and then the chase begins again. I feel so bad for her, constantly getting her head pulled and attacked by the roosters. i'm worried that she cant eat or drink because she is constantly being hassled. Really want to keep a rooster, but I'm not sure what to do. Some advice please!

 

[sourland]

In my opinion it is time to relocate two of the roosters. Roosters gang breeding hens can cause serious injuries.

 

[cchicks]

Noticed today, that even with her clipped wing she can still fly on top of the enclosed pen . (6 foot)

 

[SD Bird Lady]

I think you need to pick the rooster you want for your "breeding program" and get rid of the rest. I always keep the one with the best disposition first but that is just how I handle things.

Good Luck!

 

[cchicks]

Not sure which rooster to keep. The brown leg horn is in charge and is the one that goes after her first, but also will eat out of my hand. I have two Easter Eggers. The number 2 roo also eats out of my hand. Number 3 roo doesn't eat out of my hand. All three go after her but in order of dominance. Any ideas which one to keep?

 

[cchicks]

Actually all three will feed out of my hand, but the third in dominance won't let me touch him. #1 and 2 move away (sometimes #2 puffs slightly the neck if I startle him) and # 3 jumps and gets away.

 

[cchicks]

Any opinions?

 

[settingdusk]

Separate them and see how their attitude changes when the other roosters are not in the flock. The roosters real disposition is only shown when they have no competitors and do not have to express dominance. Then keep the one that is nicest to you and your girls. You want the rooster to protect the flock, give the girls choice pickings on bugs, easy rider, and be friendly to you. The attitudes will change in the absence of the others due to fear or aggressiveness. Put each rooster with the 12 girls one at a time and observe.

 

[cchicks]

Would I be able to tell on one day per rooster?

 

[SD Bird Lady]

It depends on how much time you have to observe and also how much area you have to house the other boys separately. I would probably do 2 days for each rooster. Especially when you are putting the 2nd and 3rd roo back in since it will take some time to get reacquainted after their absence. I have never done this but if I were going to that is how I would go about it.

My decision was usually pretty easy since their was a people aggressive boys involved. Good luck