Rooster vs hens

[AshlyMommaWard]

It's actually fairly normal for a bossy hen that Is used to not having a rooster to have a bit of a scuffle in the beginning. He has to win them over, and show his dominance. I had a hen who never accepted a cockerel(7 months old, basically full grown) and every time he would try to become flock leader she would kick his butt. Hr probably would've eventually won but I was tired of them sparring so I replaced him with a grown rooster that she accepted immediately. Do his attacks seem viscous or more like he needs to shoe her who's boss? Social structure amongst chickens isn't always pretty to us, but is necessary for them. I've never seen a decent rooster attack a hen... I dont believe a sane rooster sees a possible mating opportunity as an intrusion, another male yes, but a female, I doubt it. I would vet that one of two things is happening: 1. She is older/larger than him, and therefore not going to submit. This would be a good reason to separate, because he will keep trying and could easily lead to bloody combs etc.. Or 2. Hr is an immature cockerel or not a good mentally sound rooster and is actually just attacking her.
How are the interactions between that hen and the rest of your girls?
What are the ages of your girls & rooster?

 

[Ridgerunner]

I had a bit of a different situation but it might have relevance. I had a cockerel grow up in a flock of mature hens with no dominant rooster. As the cockerel matured different hens would accept him but the dominant hen would knock him off if he tried to mate another hen. Eventually he matured to the point he was able to stand up to the dominant hen. For two days after that, he would sometimes attack her, peck her on the head or try to force her to mate. It was not a constant attack but it was happening. Chasing was sometimes involved. No blood was drawn so I let it play out. After two days she accepted his dominance and they became best buddies.

I’ve raised cockerels like this before and that transition to flock leader was a lot smoother. Each chicken is different.

I agree with what you are doing. Keep him separated for a few days until the hens accept the new ones, then try it again.

Knowing the age of the male might help some because maturity comes into it, but I’ve had a five month old cockerel be accepted by the older hens with no real drama (maybe the dominant hen wasn’t that dominant) and the one I was talking about above took 11 months to achieve dominance. They mature at different rates and the hen has a lot to do with it too.

 

[Newchics]

Thank you everyone for all the advice, information and your experiences. I love to read it all. Its amazing how I feel so much better after I read replies not only on this post but others as well. This is an awesome "family" and am so glad I have all of you. Thank you for everything and have a great Christmas holiday

 

[dlp40]

I just came from a frieds chicken"ranch" if you will and she has a hen that gets beat by every rooster. Yes it is a hen but she has spurs and a big chest like a roo. She lays eggs though.
Possably, i'm thinking there might be a hormone imbalance in some hens that could be causing this. My friends hen even protects her pullet flock like a roo after she lays her egg of course. Crazy stuff.