PLEASE HELP

[familyof4]

I have had my hen for about 5 years and my rooster for about 5. Recently he as been viciously attacking her. Why and what to do about it?? I am just so upset and need answers!! Hen is a Blue Cochin Rooster is a Barnevelder. I have 2 Hens and 1 Rooster. I had 4 hens, 2 passed last year. A hawk got one and her sister died not soon after.

 

[arlee453]

Maybe he is giving her too much attention because the roon ratio is too high?

Adding another couple hens might help.... hey - any excuse to get more chickens

 

[chick4chicks]

I say get more hens so rooster is happy again.

 

[chick4chicks]

See when 2 or more agree listen and get more hens. LOL. Good luck

 

[Akane]

I think the suggested absolute minimum is 6 hens to a roo. Otherwise the roo over mates the hens and tears all their feathers out. There are also chicken saddles that cover that area of the back for roos that are too rough. Just do a search on google or this forum.

 

[familyof4]

Thank you all so much for your help!! It just seemed so strange that all of a sudden he started picking on her, he was literally on her pecking and scratching her to the point of her bleeding. I ran down there and he jumped off, but now I am so scard he will do it again. The three of them have lived happily together for over a year since my other 2 hens passed away. There has never been a problem.