Roo picking on hen HELP

[Kerrid]

I recently re homed my young Serama pair. I had never had any problems with them but the young boy I gave them too says that the roo is being aggressive with the hen. They were raised together and are about 4-5 months old. Why would a young rooster peck a hen till she bleeds? Could he be wanting to breed? I told him to separate them which he did but now I am trying to figure out why this is going on. Oh, they are the only 2 chickens on the property.
thanks

 

[Kerrid]

Anyone? Help?

 

[Tiramisu]

I wouldn't know why, maybe they should get a few more bantam hens to put in with them? =\\

 

[teach1rusl]

Had the rooster attempted mating before you gave them away? That's definitely not good if he's bringing blood. Maybe he hit a hormonal stage/peak and he's just being VERY aggressive?? I would think he'd have to kept separately.

 

[Kerrid]

I never had a problem with them ... never saw him attempting to breed her. Maybe he is ready to breed and being overly aggressive? I am stumped.

 

[teach1rusl]

I wonder if being in a new environment, combined with his age, is prompting him to show who is top dog?? If so, then it should end within a week or so. Have you seen it yourself, or are you going on the boy's description??? Maybe the roo was trying to mate, and it looked so violent to the boy that it was exaggerated???? Just trying out guesses...
But if he continues being as brutal as what you're thinking, the rooster will have to be contained separartely.

 

[Kerrid]

He has separated them. He said that he was picking her head till she was bleeding. I think he was telling the truth. How long should he keep them apart?

 

[teach1rusl]

If it was me, I'd try 2-3 days of separation, and then spend time observing again. Maybe, if he's coming into a hormonal stage, his behavior won't change, at least until he's older. In that case he may just be a rough rooster (which I would not tolerate). Or maybe, if she submits to him as boss, he may ease up. Time and observation are needed. Personally, he wouldn't last a week at my house if he continued to be that abusive to the hen.