Rooster Aggression Directed at One Hen

[Rhudzin2]

Seeking advice. I have 13 hens and 1 rooster. The rooster is around 1.5 years old and I’ve had him since he was a chick. Everything has been going fine until a couple weeks ago, he started attacking one hen. She is my oldest hen. He is not trying to breed with her, he is very clearly trying to hurt or kill her. I’ve tried separating him for days at a time, but he will always go back to trying to hurt her. I’ve tried separating her as well. Is there any hope for peace to be restored? What could be causing this? I’d hate to have to rehome him, plus I doubt anyone would even want him once I disclose my reason for rehoming.

 

[Rhudzin2]

Seeking advice. I have 13 hens and 1 rooster. The rooster is around 1.5 years old and I’ve had him since he was a chick. Everything has been going fine until a couple weeks ago, he started attacking one hen. She is my oldest hen. He is not trying to breed with her, he is very clearly trying to hurt or kill her. I’ve tried separating him for days at a time, but he will always go back to trying to hurt her. I’ve tried separating her as well. Is there any hope for peace to be restored? What could be causing this? I’d hate to have to rehome him, plus I doubt anyone would even want him once I disclose my reason for rehoming.

I also want to add, this behavior occurs even while free ranging, so it’s not an overcrowding issue. As far as I can tell, the hen is very healthy, although at 5 years old she is no longer laying.

 

[Rose the Legbar]

Seeking advice. I have 13 hens and 1 rooster. The rooster is around 1.5 years old and I’ve had him since he was a chick. Everything has been going fine until a couple weeks ago, he started attacking one hen. She is my oldest hen. He is not trying to breed with her, he is very clearly trying to hurt or kill her. I’ve tried separating him for days at a time, but he will always go back to trying to hurt her. I’ve tried separating her as well. Is there any hope for peace to be restored? What could be causing this? I’d hate to have to rehome him, plus I doubt anyone would even want him once I disclose my reason for rehoming.

Your oldest hen could be not wanting to breed with him and he is trying to put her in her place. Him targeting her is not a good thing. I would remove the rooster for a week or two so your hen can catch a break. When your rooster comes back into the flock, hopefully he won’t be mean.