Rooster over mating one hen

[silkienewbie93]

I have a 3 year old barred rock rooster who has recently been over mating one hen in particular. During the day they get along just fine but for some reason in the hour before they settle for bed he goes crazy. He’ll mate her several times within the hour, usually chasing her down to do so. It’s gotten to the point where I can tell she’s scared in the evenings, but then the next day they’re totally fine again.

Her back is completely bald and she does have a scratch one one side from his spur. I got her a chicken apron but it seems to shift when he mounts her so I don’t think it’s actually protecting her much. Note, she is one of the more dominant hens in the flock.

With people he is a very sweet rooster, never aggressive, so I would hate to get rid of him. However this is not the first time I’ve had to deal with him singling one hen out, but that situation ended before I had to really deal with it because she ended up dying from cancer.

I know my rooster to hen ratio is too low. I only have 6 hens and 1 rooster at the moment because I had a few hens pass recently. However I’m not able to get more hens at the moment.

I’m thinking of building a separate coop and run for him right next to the girls, since I don’t have enough hens anymore and his behaviour with that one hen is too aggressive.

My question is, is it cruel for him to live alone? He’ll be able to see the girls through the fence. Am I overreacting to him chasing and mating with one hen several times in a row? I just hate to see any of my girls look scared

 

[Chicken_tiger_catt]

he should be separated from the flock.

 

[LaFleche]

I have a 3 year old barred rock rooster who has recently been over mating one hen in particular. During the day they get along just fine but for some reason in the hour before they settle for bed he goes crazy. He’ll mate her several times within the hour, usually chasing her down to do so. It’s gotten to the point where I can tell she’s scared in the evenings, but then the next day they’re totally fine again.

Her back is completely bald and she does have a scratch one one side from his spur. I got her a chicken apron but it seems to shift when he mounts her so I don’t think it’s actually protecting her much. Note, she is one of the more dominant hens in the flock.

With people he is a very sweet rooster, never aggressive, so I would hate to get rid of him. However this is not the first time I’ve had to deal with him singling one hen out, but that situation ended before I had to really deal with it because she ended up dying from cancer.

I know my rooster to hen ratio is too low. I only have 6 hens and 1 rooster at the moment because I had a few hens pass recently. However I’m not able to get more hens at the moment.

I’m thinking of building a separate coop and run for him right next to the girls, since I don’t have enough hens anymore and his behaviour with that one hen is too aggressive.

My question is, is it cruel for him to live alone? He’ll be able to see the girls through the fence. Am I overreacting to him chasing and mating with one hen several times in a row? I just hate to see any of my girls look scared

To minimize rooster damage on the hens you can trim/cut off his spurs using a Dremel tool and file down his nails until they are nicely rounded without any sharp edges left.

But with only a few hens left it might be best to find him a new home.

As you describe him as being friendly and respectful with humans there is a good chance he may find a new flock to care for and not end up in someone's crock pot.

 

[SmiYa0126]

Hi! Can you put a chicken saddle on her? It will protect her back.

 

[LaFleche]

Hi! Can you put a chicken saddle on her? It will protect her back.

I got her a chicken apron but it seems to shift when he mounts her so I don’t think it’s actually protecting her much.

 

[SmiYa0126]

It should be a thicker one, the thin cotton ones do move.

 

[silkienewbie93]

To minimize rooster damage on the hens you can trim/cut off his spurs using a Dremel tool and file down his nails until they are nicely rounded without any sharp edges left.

But with only a few hens left it might be best to find him a new home.

As you describe him as being friendly and respectful with humans there is a good chance he may find a new flock to care for and not end up in someone's crock pot.

I know but it’ll break my heart to send him to send him away. I’ve raised him since he was a chick and I really love him.

Right now I have him in a dog crate in the coop because with my work schedule I won’t be able to be there to separate him when he gets rowdy in the evening. Do you think keeping him in the crate for a bit will mellow him out enough that he can continue living with the hens? Or is permanent separation the only option?

 

[silkienewbie93]

It should be a thicker one, the thin cotton ones do move.

It’s fairly thick I think. It’s double layered. Canvas and fleece.

 

[LaFleche]

Do you think keeping him in the crate for a bit will mellow him out enough that he can continue living with the hens? Or is permanent separation the only option?

I would not keep a healthy grown chicken in a dog crate for more than a few hours. Just as an example only in case the new owner will come during daytime to pick up the bird.

You can add a few grown hens to your flock or give him away to a new home.

 

[silkienewbie93]

I would not keep a healthy grown chicken in a dog crate for more than a few hours. Just as an example only in case the new owner will come during daytime to pick up the bird.

You can add a few grown hens to your flock or give him away to a new home.

I’d just seen a bunch of posts saying that you can separate a bully chicken in a crate for a bit to calm them down.