Rooster being very aggressive towards hens

[JedJackson]

"I put the hen down to get some water and food and he came running over and started attacking its eyes and face."

This is highly unusual behavior. Sometimes you get a chicken that is just crazy. I think it is best to put him down or let someone else take him home for dinner.

 

[Ridgerunner]

"I put the hen down to get some water and food and he came running over and started attacking its eyes and face."

This is highly unusual behavior. Sometimes you get a chicken that is just crazy. I think it is best to put him down or let someone else take him home for dinner.

I have not seen this but I've read about this happening. I think one possible conclusion was that he is supposed to be her dominant one but here she is submitting to the human so she must be punished. This seems to happen when people handle and cuddle with their chickens a lot. I do consider it rare behavior.

 

[JedJackson]

I have not seen this but I've read about this happening. I think one possible conclusion was that he is supposed to be her dominant one but here she is submitting to the human so she must be punished. This seems to happen when people handle and cuddle with their chickens a lot. I do consider it rare behavior.

It's also extreme behavior. What good is it doing the rooster if he damages her eyes or brain? I just wouldn't ever trust a rooster like that.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Natural immature cockerel behavior is one thing and actively trying to peck out your hens eyes is an entirely different level of aggression. It might seem like mercy keeping him alive, but it's not showing mercy to your hens or any flock he could be potentially placed with being re-homed.

 

[JORLEE23]

No, not common that I know of. I've not had more than a nicked comb in my flock. But sometimes a bird is simply no good.

Morning guys! so now we have a bigger issue!
I have removed BOTH roosters and now the poor injured one is being attacked by the other hens- is this to do with pecking order or?

I have now removed the injured one as well.

I am loosing my chickens like flies. I had 13 and now I am down to 6 and 2 are injured....

 

[JORLEE23]

It's also extreme behavior. What good is it doing the rooster if he damages her eyes or brain? I just wouldn't ever trust a rooster like that.

This is new behaviour. I am trying to figure out what is going on in there.
They have plenty of room to roam and are given LOTS of treats to keep them busy...
Our first round of chickens were nothing like this...

 

[JORLEE23]

Natural immature cockerel behavior is one thing and actively trying to peck out your hens eyes is an entirely different level of aggression. It might seem like mercy keeping him alive, but it's not showing mercy to your hens or any flock he could be potentially placed with being re-homed.

thank you for your suggestion! yes he is being rehomed.

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

I didn't know a rooster would do such a thing! Yes, he definitely needs re-homed or made into chicken noodle soup.

 

[SilverBirds]

Morning guys! so now we have a bigger issue!
I have removed BOTH roosters and now the poor injured one is being attacked by the other hens- is this to do with pecking order or?

I have now removed the injured one as well.

I am loosing my chickens like flies. I had 13 and now I am down to 6 and 2 are injured....

Can you post pictures of the injured chicken?

 

[AOrchard]

What breed are these and what is their source? Are they broiler chickens?

Here is a interesting read about a line of meat chickens bred solely for mass. They messed up the genes for courtship behavior, and resulted in roosters that attacked and killed hens.
https://www.grandin.com/inc/animals.make.us.human.ch7.html

The genetics in those birds was irreparably damaged. So, I'm wondering if you know anything about the parents of these birds. Do they also have aggression problems?

Injured hens getting harassed is normal. Some juvenile accidental injury during attempted matings happens. Him going after the hen's eyes is not normal, him aggressively harming the hens is not normal.

I would give him away for someone's dinner, and I'd be very cautious about breeding those hens if they are from the same lineage. These are negative and dangerous traits that are often able to be passed down. It's better for the health and lives of your flock to stay away from those genetics.