Rooster Repeated Mating Same Hen

[lmhodgie]

SITUATION: I just "inherited" a small flock (one rooster and 5 hens) from a friend. The New Hamshire Red rooster mates with most of the hens about once/twice each day. But he insists on mating with one hen repeatedlly- sometimes 3 or 4 times in a given hour. She is the only white hen in the flock and also the only cochen--and the most docile. She has to hide under the coop to get away from him. When she finally ventures out, he makes a beeline for her and does his thing again. There are lots of broken & missing feathers on both of her sides, but no open sores. Fortunately, the rooster has very tiny spurs, so he doesn't draw blood. I observed the rooster doing this to her even while they were still living at my friend's house, so this behavior is not new.

QUESTIONS:
1. I have never raised chickens, so I need to know is this normal?
2. I feel bad for the little cochen hen. She is almost always by herself, away from the flock. Should I get rid of her or the rooster? The rooster is beautiful and seems nice aside from this weird mating behaviour. If I get rid of the hen, will the rooster just pick on the next hen at the bottom of the pecking order? Or maybe this is just "nature's way" and I should just leave things as is?

I want to be a good chicken mama. Any information or ideas would be appreciated!

Thank you!!

Leann

 

[dappertophatter]

, lmhodgie!!!
1. Yup. Very normal. She's his favorite, the lady of the hour (or year),
2.She'll be OK. You might want to let them out under supervision in your yard more often to give them something else to do. Would you be able to add on to your run? More space might keep them apart for a bit.

Now, a question for you: Are all the other chickens New Hampshire Reds? She might be the only one he can easily 'catch'.

You also might want to buy a chicken saddle for her (not what it sounds). It'll protect her back so no more feathers get broken. I think a few members on here make them, check under the sale forum.

Good luck! You sound like a very good new chickenkeeper.

 

[WilczenskiFarm]

Ditto - more space, maybe more places for her to hide too My friend improvised and used a few hide-away things that were meant for cats.

 

[txchickie]

Totally normal! My Marans roo has 2 of his hens that are especially loved by him

So much loved that they now have to wear hen saddles, and the other 10 hens that he has are in perfect shape. He breeds them all, he just has his favorites!

 

[lmhodgie]

Thank you sooo much to everyone for your warm welcome and quick replies! I REALLY appreciate your information!! My flock is a mixture of breeds. I think dappertophatter is right: the cochen is definitely the easiest to catch. I will look into a chicken saddle and will also try to provide a place for her to "escape"

. I can definitely expand my run as it is still temporary and I live on 5 acres.

Thank you, Thank you!! BYC members are the BEST!

 

[PunkinPeep]

This is just a thought. I hope the experts will correct me if i'm wrong.

But i was thinking that if you ever have in mind to expand, it might be beneficial to your well-loved hen - if you got some more who look like her. Maybe that would distract this rooster part of the time.

I would also think that if he simply had more hens (of any breed) to "tend to," he might not have as much time to focus on the one favorite.

I could be wrong.

 

[scooter147]

She is the lowest in the pecking order and thus the most submissive. She gives in where as the other hens are probably not as tolerent of his advance more then once or twice a day. Bottom line she's easy

I find that hens are "happier" without a rooster bothering them and unless you want fertile eggs there is no reason to keep him around.

 

[PunkinPeep]

Quote:
That may be true if your flock is always confined to a run, but if you intend to do any free ranging, i find a good head roo to be absolutely priceless! He keeps them together, protects them, warns them of overhead danger, etc., and he finds food for them, which is absolutely adorable to watch. I am much happier with the chemistry of my flock and more comfortable about their safety since my roo, Rocky, has grown up and taken charge. I'm not sure you could pay me enough to give him up.

 

[FrizzlesRule]

But he insists on mating with one hen repeatedlly- sometimes 3 or 4 times in a given hour.

Sounds like my Cochin rooster, SPIKE. He won't leave SLINKY, my cochin Frizzle hen alone.

 

[scooter147]

Quote:
That may be true if your flock is always confined to a run, but if you intend to do any free ranging, i find a good head roo to be absolutely priceless! He keeps them together, protects them, warns them of overhead danger, etc., and he finds food for them, which is absolutely adorable to watch. I am much happier with the chemistry of my flock and more comfortable about their safety since my roo, Rocky, has grown up and taken charge. I'm not sure you could pay me enough to give him up.

I agree to a point. Although my Mouch hasn't seemed to mastered the "keep them to together part", he runs himself ragged going from one group of hens to the next. The poor boy is bag of bones.