Rooster attacking new hen?

[kronikjoe]

I got a new rooster about a week ago and he's now adjusted to my yard. He has been free ranging for about 5 days now and has never escaped (as far as i know). He seems to be around 2 months old. Just started attempting to crow today.

Anyways, i got a new hen today to keep him company. She is smaller than him. Not sure if that matters. When i took her out of the box, i let her down on the ground next to the rooster and he started pecking her on the head. Now, i've read that they do this to try to mate with the hen, but she denied him and instead, bit him. She also held on to his feathers as she flapped her wings. It was chaos. They just went at it for a few seconds until i broke it up. I tried letting them get used to each other by holding the hen and letting my rooster see she was friendly. I tried letting her down again, this time he stared her down and slowly crept up. This led to another fight. ticked me off so now im here looking for some help.

the hen is in a big box filled with grass clippings and some food and water. the rooster is still exploring his turf.

sooooo any help? i want them to get along :\\

 

[Majestic Lane Poultry]

Keep them seperated for the time being. Allow him to see her but not have access to her. After a couple weeks, put her beside him on the roost after dark and you should have better luck.

 

[kronikjoe]

so, should i alternate them? like keep one in the box while one gets to roam?

 

[Jajika]

When I get new birds, I create what I call my "getting to know you but keeping you seperate" set up.

I have one of those foldable fence's that I place around my small coop. I cover it with poultry netting so it is secure on top and then the fence is firm with holes.

This pen seperates the new from the old, but the chickens can see each other without being able to touch in any way.

They look back and forth, get to know that there are new folks in town for at least two weeks.

By the time I release the new ones, they have already had lots of time to get familiar while I can check out the newbies for health issues.

I rarely have unusual problems when they groups mix.

 

[kronikjoe]

xD i actually got em to start sleeping together today. only took less than two days for em to do this. i still had her tie to a bamboo tree and saw her trying to be near the rooster. they ended up sleeping side by side. i was heart warming