rooster trying to kill hen

[hennotrooster]

Have a turken roo that has taken a dislike to our hen that broods. She is a black star. The first time she sat he would go after her when she was off the nest so I kept him from her. This time when she went back to the flock he literally pecked all the skin off the top of her head. I cleaned her up and medicated the area just about the time she was healing she went into his yard and my husband found him just attacking her horribly. We have two coops and he meanders back and forth between the two, since the attack he is on lock down. I brought her in and had to butterfly a portion of her scalp and put gauze over the half there was not skin to work with. We do not understand why he has decided to pick on her since he was fine until she starting to sit on eggs. Any ideas?

 

[LeafBlade12345]

Which came to your coop first, your hen or rooster? How long have you had them?

 

[hennotrooster]

The roo came first he was given to us and was in the older coop. In 2012 we purchased chicks and this hen is one of them. Problem started when she decided to sit the first time prior to that he was fine with her. Any time he seen her out he would go for her till I put a stop to it. But this time she was attack twice, he really dislikes her and I believe he would have killed her had my husband not gone out there when he did. She gets along fine with the other hens he's the problem and just may become soup. We are told that roosters are not to be eaten, true? Thank you

 

[LeafBlade12345]

Roosters can definitely be eaten, but if I were in your shoes I would cull and eat the hen if the roo gets along with the other girls. This will save you a lot of time and expense trying to save your hen, who may not survive anyway. But again, this depends on the rooster's temperament. If he likes you and the other chickens, I would keep him, but, then again, he may just attack another hen if you eliminated this one.

 

[hennotrooster]

Thank you she seems to be healing pretty good the butterfly tape fell off yesterday and she is in with the rest of the flock doing well. He stays away from us and was pretty good with the girls but I have noticed lately he's getting a bit grumpy with them, maybe it's the heat. What you say makes sense. They have three acres to roam freely so space is not a problem.