Rooster attacking one hen repeatedly, why??

[Jules66]

Was she the dominant hen?

No. She wasn't. He loves the dominant hen.

 

[MTR]

No. She wasn't. He loves the dominant hen.

Just trying to understand the dynamics- was she the low hen?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Not exactly...no.

So this does not look like breeding behavior.

 

[Jules66]

Just trying to understand the dynamics- was she the low hen?

It's possible, yes.

 

[Jules66]

So this does not look like breeding behavior.

No, it looks like punishment honestly.

 

[MTR]

It's possible, yes.

Does she have structures and room to get away? And two feeders and watered? I find in general there is a lot less picking the more I let mine out and the more access they have to essentials.

 

[Sierra G]

He probably just doesn't like her. My gander has a favorite goose, geese he will breed, and a single goose, who actually looks very much like his favorite, that he hates. She avoids him when she can and spends most of her time on the fringes of the flock or hanging with the ducks. And he harasses her pretty much every chance he gets.

Since she's permitting the attack I'm assuming she has no place to hide and no way to avoid him. If you can give her some options for staying away from him that might help her situation, but I don't think he's likely to change his attitude toward her. Not unless another bird he hates even more shows up.

 

[Jules66]

Does she have structures and room to get away? And two feeders and watered? I find in general there is a lot less picking the more I let mine out and the more access they have to essentials.

Yes, I have many structures, 4 watererers and feeders. Also a creek, and they free range all day over the whole property which is fenced.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Well I can only tell you what I would do. No guarantee that it would work for you. When I had a bully HEN, I put her in a time-out box. This was a dog crate inside the coop at night, in a shady place in the run during the day. With feed, grit and water, of course. After three days and nights I let her out. She behaved for a few days, then started bullying again. Back in the box she went for three more days. As I recall, she needed a third session before her behavior stabilized. I think the bird(s) she was bullying gained confidence and/or she lost her dominant position. Maybe both.

If that failed I would remove the rooster from the flock. We had one that scalped a hen before we realized there was a problem. That was the end of him. It took a while but she did heal. I have no use for bullies.

 

[MTR]

Yes, I have many structures, 4 watererers and feeders. Also a creek, and they free range all day over the whole property which is fenced.

Thanks for replying. I’m as much learning as helping here.