Roosters attacking hens

[delynnel]

I have a flock of Ameraucanas, 16 hens, 3 roosters - the roosters have been very aggressively attacking five of the hens, and not letting up over the past several weeks. I've separated them now but I'm wondering if I need to start with new roosters and just get rid of the ones I have. Also, I realize I should only have 2, not three. Will the roosters ever get over this or will the hens always be in danger? Thanks.

 

[welasharon]

Are you sure they are attacking them or mating?
sharon

 

[delynnel]

Yes, attacking, not mating (using beak and claws, drawing blood). Especially the two hens, as soon as a rooster sees either of them, will attack it. Those two have been hiding out, and I have a few others that I haven't seen being attacked but have no feathers on their backs.

 

[Moochie]

I'm sorry I don't have an answer, but I am having a similar issue. Our silkie rooster, Skippy, is always trying to pick fights with the standard sized hens. He flogs the mama&chicks enclosure at mama hen and even though he's half the size, he really goes at the chicken netting. He never drags his wings at them, only fighting. Skippy is such a nice boy, I would also like to know what is going on.

 

[welasharon]

I'm sorry I have no idea but I am thinking I would be getting rid of some roosters.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't know what is going on with them. I've never had a problem with a rooster not accepting every hen into his flock, but others report similar experience to yours.

If you notice one being more aggressive to them than the others, I'd suggest removing him and trying the other two just to see what happens. Or if you cannot single one out as specifically aggressive, try removing the dominant one. I have no experience with this to call on, but maybe shaking up the pecking order/dominance situation will solve the problem.

I have seen young non-dominant roosters say 13 to 15 weeks old fight with mature hens to set up pecking order. Usually the dominant rooster will break up these fights, but not always. Maybe something like this is going on?

Good luck!!!

 

[sourland]

I'd follow Ridgerunner's advice and remove the most aggressive rooster. Sometimes young roosters in their competition for breeding will become confused and attack hens as a group with the initial idea of breeding which turns into a frenzy. If removing just one does not work, I would suggest then removing the next most aggressive. I'm thinking that one rooster with the hens will solve the problem.

 

[juliette2009]

Quote:
My thoughts also. You may just have an overly agressive roo, and you probably won't want to keep him around too long.

 

[delynnel]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I had already removed the most aggressive rooster, thinking that would solve the problem, but then when I moved the hiding hens back in with the flock, the other roosters went after them immediately. So, I've taken them out too. I think I'll "start over" with one rooster (I have a young one coming up). I had a hard time getting rid of all the roos because the Ameraucanas are so beautiful!

 

[Naughty]

Quote:
It's natures cruel joke - the most beautiful of birds are always roos