Rooster attacking one hen, ripped off comb

[Spring Chook]

Just to put this in context, I have kept chickens on and off since I was a child and have had several roosters. Currently I have 15 chickens, 2 bantams and one 8 month old Easter Egger Roo. They have a large pen and spend much of their day freeranging in our huge backyard. For the past month The ROO has been getting pretty fiesty with the ladies, and just recently he has taken a particular like or dislike to one small bantam. She is in the middle to top of the pecking order. Despite being the smallest hen I have she is good at sticking up for herself. The ROO has been aggressively chasing her around and I thought he was just trying to mate her, but then she started not wanting to return to the coop at night, and then I noticed her whole comb has been ripped off.

Since then I have separated the roo from the flock, and the bantam has started roosting with the others again. I am just wondering whether I dare put them all together again or whether The ROO has to go. He is not aggressive to me or others, and his friskiness with the other chickens seems normal.

I have not encountered this problem before. The poor little bantam looks so sad without her big red comb.

 

[tec27]

I just had the same problem with one of my roo's. Not "comb ripping off" bad but injuring nonetheless. Grounded him for a week or so and then added him back to the flock, and it was the same thing all over again. This weekend is looking good for a slaughter.

 

[Spring Chook]

really? oh dear. doesnt sound hopeful then. its strange that he should have such a thing about this one little bantam. Maybe he feels threatened by her. And maybe he will have to go ..

 

[Spring Chook]

I wonder if anyone hass been able to rehabilitate a Roo like this..?

 

[kidcody]

As the days become longer the roosters hormone level climb which is why they become more aggressive as the days go by the levels will start to decrease and your roosters aggressiveness will go down. Some people will keep aggressive roosters away for a time and then reintroduce them with good results. There is always a learning curve with young roosters. They start off very aggressive and over several months they start to figure things out and become less aggressive. If your rooster continues to be so aggressive with your hens I would separate for a while and then try introducing him again in a month. If he is still aggressive he probably shouldn't be used for breeding since aggression can cause too much stress for the hens.

 

[Ole rooster]

I have to be careful as to how to word this so as not to offend the little ones. But if that was my rooster that did harm to my hen, I would fetch me a large pot of boiling water, my work table and knife, and rooster would never mount a hen again. About fifteen minutes is all it would take.

 

[Spring Chook]

Thank you for your suggestions. I would like to give him a second chance. He has not been mean to any other hens and nor to me or my small children. In other respects he has been a welcome addition to the flock. I'd be very interested to hear thoughts from any other chicken experts

 

[wanttobefarmer]

I have had a similar problem. I have 25 hens and one rooster. I really like the rooster, he takes his job very seriously about keeping an eye out for hawks and leading the girls to shelter or food. I have one black bantam sizzle hen who is so sweet and he hates her. He is good to everyone but her. I got a saddle for her because he pulled out all of her back feathers, I thought she was just one of his favorites for breeding, until after observation he only pecks her and pulls her when she submits, I don't know if it is the plummage on her head that makes him think she is a roo. He stays fairly busy with the other hens and the saddle protects her, but I'm thinkin of getting rid of him because of her.

 

[Spring Chook]

sounds very similar to Roo. Before he took a particular like or dislike to the bantam (who is a frizzle, mille fleur mix) he was doing his job very well. very strange. Perhaps he didnt like her big red comb ... well that has totally gone now ....

 

[poseygrace]

I think if he is that aggressive with one hen, it's just a matter of time before he turns on another hen, or you and the kids. I'd rehome him, or cull him.