Rooster being very aggressive towards hens

[JORLEE23]

Have you checked for bumble foot?

yes I have checked for bumble foot is it possible that all can get that? or something else is going on in there. ?

 

[JORLEE23]

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.

Yes for sure! I am very new to chickens so this is a whole new level of worrisome!
I removed the roosters last night and now the other hens are attacking this poor hen who is obviously helpless- I have since removed her as well.

We had 5 chickens before and NOTHING ever like this happened unfortunately a fox got then but we never had any illnesses or bullying.
It seems now they are aggressively harming each other!!
Is there something in their environment that might be causing then to do this?
It is more than just "pecking" like they are trying to severely injure.

We got them from a breeder but I have no idea what kind of chickens they are unfortunately. I will post a picture later today of them. its starts with a small limp and it progresses into them not being able to walk.

This is the 5th chicken we have had this happen to... I am starting to wonder if there is some kind of illness? or if these chickens are really doing damage to each other.

 

[SilverBirds]

yes I have checked for bumble foot is it possible that all can get that? or something else is going on in there. ?

Can you get pictures?

 

[lori_smith99]

I am going through the same thing, only mine is attacking me hard core too. I am 16 wks pregnant and the butthead flies straight at my bump! He is torturing the girls too. he is just at 20 wks old and just learned to fully crow. I know it is hormones. Luckily we are moving to an area that does not allow roosters so we are re-homing him so no decision has to be made but he is just too much right now

 

[Ridgerunner]

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?

It is not unusual for some members of the flock to attack a sick or injured chicken. Sometimes it is a rooster, sometimes a hen, sometimes several of them. A sick or injured chicken can attract predators so they try to run it out of the flock or even kill it. It is a self-preservation instinct from when they were feral. Not all flocks do that but it does happen.

Chickens will sometimes peck at a raw wound or blood. It doesn't always happen but they can turn into cannibals. This may be part of what is going on. A photo of the hen may help.

This is the 5th chicken we have had this happen to... I am starting to wonder if there is some kind of illness? or if these chickens are really doing damage to each other.

All my injured hens start with a limp and then it just progresses

It sounds like you may have Marek's in your flock.

If you live in the USA call your county extension office and see what it takes to get a necropsy. Or you can talk to a veterinarian. That's where they cut a dead bird open to see what killed it. Find out where to take it, how much it costs, and how you need to handle it, usually they want it cold but not frozen. This way you will know what you can do if another one dies. Or chat with them on how you can confirm if it is Marek's.

I don't know if you have Marek's or not but with your history I'd wat to check it out.

 

[JORLEE23]

It is not unusual for some members of the flock to attack a sick or injured chicken. Sometimes it is a rooster, sometimes a hen, sometimes several of them. A sick or injured chicken can attract predators so they try to run it out of the flock or even kill it. It is a self-preservation instinct from when they were feral. Not all flocks do that but it does happen.

Chickens will sometimes peck at a raw wound or blood. It doesn't always happen but they can turn into cannibals. This may be part of what is going on. A photo of the hen may help.




It sounds like you may have Marek's in your flock.

If you live in the USA call your county extension office and see what it takes to get a necropsy. Or you can talk to a veterinarian. That's where they cut a dead bird open to see what killed it. Find out where to take it, how much it costs, and how you need to handle it, usually they want it cold but not frozen. This way you will know what you can do if another one dies. Or chat with them on how you can confirm if it is Marek's.

I don't know if you have Marek's or not but with your history I'd wat to check it out.

I live in Canada

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't know how things work in Canada but maybe your agricultural ministry could help or call a vet.

 

[3KillerBs]

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?

As @Ridgerunner said, it's very common for chickens to pick at an injured bird.

If you can keep her protected but still within the flock during her recovery that would be better than removing her completely. Dog crates are useful for this.

 

[john folger]

Good Morning!

Our rooster is being very aggressive towards our hens.
I came out this morning to check on them and the one was limping and found the rooster trying to attack her.
This is probably the 4th one he has injured.


How do I handle this?
The poor hen is so helpless as its leg is injured which I think is from him.

send him to freexer camp.that will work

 

[Double Yolked]

Good Morning!

Our rooster is being very aggressive towards our hens.
I came out this morning to check on them and the one was limping and found the rooster trying to attack her.
This is probably the 4th one he has injured.


How do I handle this?
The poor hen is so helpless as its leg is injured which I think is from him.

Chicken stew.
When a rooster starts hurting hens it's time to send him to freezer camp. There are too many roosters out there to ever put up with even one bad one. And you do NOT want him producing more like him. Just freezer camp him and get a new rooster.
Chicken keeping is not for the faint hearted. Your poor ladies need your protection.
They don't need him to be happy or lay eggs, they do need you to protect them from a vicious bully.