Rooster is terrorizing my favorite hen. . .HELP!

[Jeepgirl]

I have 4 hens and 1 rooster. I had problems a few months ago with a hen being pecked completely open under her wing. She is bald on her back. I caught the other hens doing this to her, so I didn't think my rooster was causing it - until today. I watched them while they were out in the yard, and that darn rooster mounted this poor hen like 6 times this afternoon. And when he was done, the other hens rushed over and pecked her. She is still healing from the injury from a few months ago, and that wound is definitely getting better. But she is not the same mentally before the attack that opened her up. She just seems so nervous to leave the coop. When she does come out, my rooster chases her around the yard till she lays down and he can mount her. . .then the other ladies comes running from all over to peck her while she is pinned. I just feel bad for this hen -- she is so sweet and is the only chicken I have who lets me catch her, hold her & hand feed her. I have already tried to rehome the rooster, even though I don't want too -- I like all my chickens!!!! Are there any other suggestions? I bought the pinless peepers, but I'm not sure they would work in this situation?

 

[dawnpel]

Awww...that poor hen!! I am new the raising chickens so I really don't know what you could do other than rehome the roo..

 

[furbabymum]

Well I can't say what I'd do to the hens but I know what I'd do to the rooster.........

 

[Den in Penn]

What you are seeing is the pecking order in action. The rooster is trying to make sure she knows he is top, then the hens come to tell her they are over her even if the rooster has mated her. Because you hold her showing her attention making her a little more less of the flock, that only exacerbates the problem. You can try separating the rooster for a few days and see if the other hens leave her be more. If they are more accepting of her the dynamics may be changed enough that when the rooster is returned in a week or so things may I repeat may be better. No promises things may just be too set to change. It might help to have more hens as well. Or one less rooster.

 

[3KillerBs]

I'm a newbie, but isn't the sex ratio supposed to be a minimum of 10-12 hens per rooster?