Rooster has singled out on hen.

[danile666]

Hey guys, first post here and I have a problem. I have had 7 hens and one rooster we got as day olds about a year and a half ago. They all came together and have lived in harmony thus far. Yesterday I noticed the rooster singling out one of the hens and beating the crap out of her (not aggressively mating mind you). She is absolutely terrified of him, and has secluded herself from the rest of the flock because of it. I find her in random spots in my yard hiding from him. If I find her hiding and relocate her he will charge her and beat her again if she is in eye shot. He leaves her alone if she is about 20-30 feet from him. For the time being I have her in a different part of the yard, and she is pecking around and relaxing just fine. She did have a bloody neck from him this morning. The other hens do not have the same injuries. I have watched them several times and seen how things played out to make sure its not rough mating. Mating is not taking place.

Any advice? Why would he single this one hen out? I can cull the rooster if need be, I would prefer not to though since we have raccoon and such around I would like him to deal with if the time came.

 

[iwiw60]

Hmmm, seems he's just not liking that particular hen at ALL. I've read in prior posts regarding this problem where one gal watched her rooster and when he attacked her hen she swooped him up by his legs and held him upside down for 1-2 minutes. Took some doing, she had put on a jacket and her rubber boots and gloves, but it seemed to work for her! Some roosters are 'gentlemen' some are 'jerks'....good luck!!

 

[danile666]

He is good with me. I can grab him no problem bare handed and flip him up. I just pulled her into the bathroom to go get some peroxide or something. He hot ahold of her, and there is a large gash on her back, a quarter size skinless hole on her back and then another hole on the back of her head. I am afraid if I just get rid of her he will go after another one. Seriously contemplating killing him for the sake of the hens.