Rooster bites hens comb

[sewchick]

What do I do about this. I have a giant gray cochin that bites my mutt hens comb and head. I have not seen any blood yet but it looks like some sort of weird haircut. She's going bald from him doing that. Should I get rid of him. I don't need the rooster. I think he is starting to do it to the black copper maran hen. The only one he leaves alone is bannie. She's very aggressive when provoked. She's the smallest and the meanest. Should I cull him? I am afraid if I sell him or give him away he will keep doing it. He's a nice looking rooster. But mean to the girls.

 

[dacjohns]

It's part of the mating behavior although I haven't seen too much comb grabbing, just the back of the head/neck.

 

[M To The Maxx]

Sometimes when a roo wants to mate he grabs them by the head and the hen rufuses to mate and they back off. My roo sometimes grabs the hens by the comb to mate.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

How old is he? If he is young, he could still be learning manners.

If the hens do not have open sores from his man handling, I would rub some vics on their combs/heads to try and deter him from grabbing them there.

Or I would pen him alone for a time, and give the girls some space.

 

[dacjohns]

Quote:
Vicks in a wound might be pretty uncomfortable.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Quote:
Vicks in a wound might be pretty uncomfortable.

I am sure it would be - ouch. That is why I would only put it on if the hens do not have open sores.

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Only 3 hens in with him? The recommended minimum is 1 roo to 10 hens. And if he is young, he may be too rough from lack of experience. And banty hens can be quite defensive.

Your problem may simply be not enough hens and he has chosen his favorite. Can you get more hens?
I would certainly separate him out until any new hens finish quarantine and then start all over with the introductions.

 

[dacjohns]

Quote:
Vicks in a wound might be pretty uncomfortable.

I am sure it would be - ouch. That is why I would only put it on if the hens do not have open sores.

Opps, I read too fast and missed your open sores part.

 

[spook]

Quote:
Only 3 hens in with him? The recommended minimum is 1 roo to 10 hens. And if he is young, he may be too rough from lack of experience. And banty hens can be quite defensive.

Your problem may simply be not enough hens and he has chosen his favorite. Can you get more hens?
I would certainly separate him out until any new hens finish quarantine and then start all over with the introductions.

I agree with ranchhand, years ago now, I had 5 hens and the roo was terribly agressive, young up to just feather stripping. Now, I decided to go with a rooster again, I have the origional 5 hens and they have tought Mr. Smartie pants just what they will and wont tolerate. It has clearly made a huge difference in the flock, of course he has 13 hens to tend to.
Needless to say, it has made a great difference in owning a rooster.
Someone on BYC will know- or you may know about the metal rings that go around a birds beak, you just squeeze it around the top beak and then he will no longer be able to grasp at the other birds necks, also slowing down fertilization and increasing a frustrated rooster.
Good luck!!