Rooster beginning to get aggressive; focused on only one hen

[akhadley]

I only have 3 chickens; 1 RIR rooster, 1 RIR hen and 1 EE hen

The EE is a bit smaller than the RIR so my rooster spends most of his time pursuing the EE and I'm worried that he is going to end up hurting her from constantly pulling out her feathers and what not. She is a lot more docile now and every time I put my hand over her she squats and "prepares" herself...

Yesterday I was just walking by my rooster and he grabbed my pant leg. I was so surprised because he has never done this. He hasn't been very friendly since growing up but this was the first sign of aggression. Then this morning I decided to test him and just walked by him a few times then stopped right in front of him. He casually walked up then just grabbed my foot and I wasn't expecting that, so I threw my hand down on his neck and picked him up. I carried him around for a while but he never relaxes. I let him go and he kept to himself.

So I don't know what to do... a lot of people say they will get meaner, others say you can try to tame them with little tricks... I'm not so much worried about his aggression towards me (though I don't want to be paranoid he's going to attack me all the time) but more worried that he is going to injure my EE. The RIR hen is just a little too quick for him and closer to his size so I think she is more difficult to control and mount than my EE.

What should I do?

 

[cackleberrycam]

You could try putting a chicken saddle on her. (A chicken saddle will protect your hen's back form the rooster as he mates with her.
Here is a link to a place that sells them: http://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Diapers-and-Saddles/Chicken-Saddle-p764.aspx

Roosters always have a favorite hen, so that is why he is only mating with your EE.

 

[delder2009]

I only have 3 chickens; 1 RIR rooster, 1 RIR hen and 1 EE hen

The EE is a bit smaller than the RIR so my rooster spends most of his time pursuing the EE and I'm worried that he is going to end up hurting her from constantly pulling out her feathers and what not. She is a lot more docile now and every time I put my hand over her she squats and "prepares" herself...

Yesterday I was just walking by my rooster and he grabbed my pant leg. I was so surprised because he has never done this. He hasn't been very friendly since growing up but this was the first sign of aggression. Then this morning I decided to test him and just walked by him a few times then stopped right in front of him. He casually walked up then just grabbed my foot and I wasn't expecting that, so I threw my hand down on his neck and picked him up. I carried him around for a while but he never relaxes. I let him go and he kept to himself.

So I don't know what to do... a lot of people say they will get meaner, others say you can try to tame them with little tricks... I'm not so much worried about his aggression towards me (though I don't want to be paranoid he's going to attack me all the time) but more worried that he is going to injure my EE. The RIR hen is just a little too quick for him and closer to his size so I think she is more difficult to control and mount than my EE.

What should I do?

the only way I have found to stop the rooster's from attacking you like that is by holding them. My cochin started it and I would catch him and hold him under my arm so he wasn't to close to my face. If he tries to peck my I would gently push his head down. The more he would fight me the tighter I would hold him making sure I didn't squeeze
To hard

my grandpa would pick them up by their feet. But I can't bring myself to do that. I kinda push down on the wings and pick up with both hands firmly on his body. They go through a stage of seeing what they can get away with. Wish you the best

 

[donrae]

I'd look into getting rid of the rooster. You don't mention age, but if the hen is just now squatting I'm thinking they're young yet. With only the two hens, his behavior is not going to get much better. He is young and coursing with enough hormones to easily cover a dozen hens, but is limited to just two. So, those hens are going to bear the brunt of his mating instinct. Unless you have a very, very good reason to keep him, I'd say get rid of him and maybe replace him with another nice hen. And for the record, IMO "I got this rooster because he was supposed to be a hen and now I like him too much to get rid of him" isn't good reason to keep one

.

Your other option is to try getting several more hens and see if he spreads the lovin' around. He may, or may not. Impossible to predict with accuracy.

 

[cackleberrycam]

x2

 

[Folly's place]

x3!!! Mary

 

[mebuff daisy]

You need at least 10 hens per rooster

 

[nayeli]

How many hens you need per rooster depends on the rooster.
If yours is aggressive than I'd rehome him. Thats just me though.

 

[keesmom]

How many hens you need per rooster depends on the rooster.
If yours is aggressive than I'd rehome him. Thats just me though.

Yup. Each male is different. Some are content with a hen or 2, others wouldn't be content with 20. It is also possible he will still go after that one hen (his favorite) no matter how many females you have.

I am assuming you have chickens for the eggs and not for breeding purposes. If so then there is no need to even have a rooster. Even if you want to breed I think you should look for a better tempered rooster. I have had many over the years that are polite not only to a small group of hens but also me and my kids.

 

[theoldchick]

Once a rooster has matured he will consider you an intruder to his flock. Either he will accept your authority or he will constantly challenge you. But don't forget about the ones who will sneak attack you. I treat roosters like I do stallions. They respect my space or I make them very uncomfortable. Some require harsh treatment and some will not. I'm very proactive and make sure they know at a young age that I am the boss hen. Remember, a rooster is not a pet and will require constant vigilance when you are in their territory. It's their nature to want hens to breed. They don't care about being a pet, and once they are mature they don't care if you bring them feed. And since you are not in the flock 24 hours a day you will find yourself proving you are the boss of the flock on a daily basis. I make a point of herding my roosters around on a daily basis. They have a safe area in the coop and so long as they stay in it while I'm in the coop they will be okay. If they drop the shoulder or try the wing dance, I'm immediately herding them fast and hard to get my point across.

A mean rooster does not need to have any offspring. Docile roosters should be allowed to breed as temperament is hereditary.