Rooster Bullying a Hen

[crazy4chix]

I have 4 hens, one of which is a black Cochin. I have a BR rooster. The rooster has basically rejected the black Cochin as part of the flock. He chases her to the perch or plucks feathers from her head until she runs for the perch. She has resigned herself to grabbing a quick bite of food and running for the perch, where he leaves her alone. She is very timid and is at the bottom of the pecking order with the hens too. She is getting thin and I am afraid she won't get enough nutrition. Is there anything I can do to help her?

 

[centrarchid]

Hen may be problem. She may not be giving proper signals for a hen to the dominant rooster. Health may be an issue. Isolate her, feed back up, and attempt reintroduction. Isolate but enable communication by sight and sound. Cage in coop. Will reduce problems of reintroduction.

 

[LaFleche]

I would separate the rooster, or is he still a young and hormonal cockerel?

 

[LaFleche]

Do you plan to breed him or why would you want a rooster for your hens?

Do you plan on more hens for him? Just 4 is not enough and very soon they would all be worn out by a young and violent rooster.

 

[aart]

@LaFleche very old thread(2011), OP long gone(2015).

 

[LaFleche]

@LaFleche very old thread(2011), OP long gone(2015).

O dear, now I too fell for this new "old threads" thingi!