Rooster abusing hens

[Andrew South Africa]

Hi. I had a rooster and got him a wife.

For many weeks they lived happily giving me a egg most days.

Then the rooster became a bully mating often and being aggressive towards the hen.
She started to hide away. So I got a second hen.
Now I have two hens hiding in the bushes eating and drinking very little.

Please advise.

 

[2 many chickens]

Get more hens. a good ratio is 8-10 hens pen roo.

Or get rid of the rooster. You do not need a rooster to get eggs from the hens. The hens would be happier without him.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi Andrew and welcome to BYC. There’s a few members from SA - check out this link - Where am I? Where are you!

If you don’t want to breed from the rooster, then get rid of it, would be my advice.

 

[Shadrach]

Hi. I had a rooster and got him a wife.

For many weeks they lived happily giving me a egg most days.

Then the rooster became a bully mating often and being aggressive towards the hen.
She started to hide away. So I got a second hen.
Now I have two hens hiding in the bushes eating and drinking very little.

Please advise.

Hello Andrew South Africa.
Welcome to BYC.
Chicken flock dynamics can be a complicated business.
Without a great deal more information it's impossible to guess what the problem could be.
2 or 3 hens is fine with one rooster. It's how I keep roosters and hens here.
What may be happening is aggression that the rooster is showing the hens is misdirected and may be in response to something you are doing.
For example, I've had roosters here show quite unpleasant aggressive behavior towards his hens because when I go to give the hens treats, they desert the rooster and follow me.
The rooster in this case was not brave enough to attack me, so instead he took his displeasure out on his hens.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Good luck sorting out your rooster.

 

[Andrew South Africa]

Get more hens. a good ratio is 8-10 hens pen roo.

Or get rid of the rooster. You do not need a rooster to get eggs from the hens. The hens would be happier without him.

Thanks for your reply.
Could there be a salt or mineral deficiency that has turned him more aggressive?

 

[N F C]

It's nice to have you here with us. Hope things get sorted out soon!

 

[Andrew South Africa]

Thank you. I will keep you posted.

 

[Andrew South Africa]

Hello Andrew South Africa.
Welcome to BYC.
Chicken flock dynamics can be a complicated business.
Without a great deal more information it's impossible to guess what the problem could be.
2 or 3 hens is fine with one rooster. It's how I keep roosters and hens here.
What may be happening is aggression that the rooster is showing the hens is misdirected and may be in response to something you are doing.
For example, I've had roosters here show quite unpleasant aggressive behavior towards his hens because when I go to give the hens treats, they desert the rooster and follow me.
The rooster in this case was not brave enough to attack me, so instead he took his displeasure out on his hens.

Thanks for sharing that insight

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Great advice and comments from previous posters.

Thanks for your reply.
Could there be a salt or mineral deficiency that has turned him more aggressive?

Possible, but in my opinion not likely.