Over zelous rooster.

[outwestallen]

My rooster keeps trying to mount my GSL hen even though she bucks him off every time. He doesn't seem to hurt her but he has been pretty consistent with it. He has torn a few feathers and pulled out some short ones. He's not that rough with my other hens but they are more receptive to him. Should I let this go on or give them some space?

 

[Folly's place]

How old are your birds? Have they been raised together? how much space do they have? If he's young, he's inexperienced, and just needs more time. If she's loosing feathers, separate him from the group for a few weeks, or longer, and see how things are later.
Mary

 

[BigBlueHen53]

You might check her bottom and make sure all is as it should be. We had to cull a hen tonight for a severely prolapsed vent. If your girl is in pain she won't accept the roo.

 

[Folly's place]

Good point!

 

[outwestallen]

How old are your birds? Have they been raised together? how much space do they have? If he's young, he's inexperienced, and just needs more time. If she's loosing feathers, separate him from the group for a few weeks, or longer, and see how things are later.
Mary

The hens are young and just started laying except for the GSL. The hens where raised together but the rooster was adopted a few months ago and he's about 3 yo. She's not loosing big feathers just little downy one's and one wing tip was torn a little.

 

[Folly's place]

She's waiting for him to show how superior he really is; "don't bother me unless you are actually worthy of me!" Or some such, because she's the adult in the coop.
Mary

 

[outwestallen]

She's waiting for him to show how superior he really is; "don't bother me unless you are actually worthy of me!" Or some such, because she's the adult in the coop.
Mary

So as long as he's not really tearing into her just let them be? Otherwise separate him for a bit?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

She's waiting for him to show how superior he really is; "don't bother me unless you are actually worthy of me!" Or some such, because she's the adult in the coop.
Mary

I take it this is how older hens teach the young bucks some manners?

 

[aart]

She's not submitting to him and he wants to dominate her.
He should leave her alone if she's not laying yet.
As long as no blood is drawn, he's not incessantly chasing her all day long and he is not keeping her from eating and drinking, I'd let them work it out.
Does she have places to get away from him?