Roosters Harming Hens....

[BoomPDX]

We have two roosters that were raised here as a flock from our brooding hen. They are mean and attack the other hens. We just had a new babies from our brooding hens and they are getting bigger now and can escape but the roosters chase them if their mom isn't around. The roosters will chase them, corner them, then they hop on top of them and start pecking them or the will pull out multiple feathers from the hens back. One was attacked last night and it drew blood (not too much but it's a banty and a mama), we have witnessed them trying to hurt them several other times, luckily we were outside at the time. One hen was found dead a few weeks ago, it was half eaten and we don't know what killed it but the crows were eating off of it when we checked. They fight over food and the will attack their siblings out of nowhere. What should we do? Is it because of the babies and all of our hens are being mama's except for the new hens that just started laying? Could it have something to do with their food, we feed our chicks a medicated crumble and all of them seem to like that food more? We have separated them during the day and only the babies and the mamas are in the pen area the others are in the yard. We have another rooster (banty rooster) and he is nice and protects them but the other roosters are bigger. They only have problems as we lock up the chicks and moms. We leave them out and leave a hatch open to get in. They get to roam until they want to go in. It's concerning and I raised the chickens, I love them but if we can't figure anything out, we have to put them down. Please help, any ideas needed.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would butcher the two nasty roosters. You don't need that in your flock. A good rooster should look out for the hens, not attack them.

 

[lauralou]

My knee jerk reaction is "Mmmm.... Roosters taste just like chicken". I would certainly kill and eat them. Other folks may have other ideas. Maybe they are young and hormonal and could be separated out completely until they mature and possibly mellow out.

But since you do already have a nice rooster, and you will likely have more roos in the new chicks you have hatched, it seems to me that these birds are unnecessary, have bad dispositions, and are a detriment to your flock.

 

[lauralou]

And they taste just like chicken.

 

[MaryZoe]

We have two roosters that were raised here as a flock from our brooding hen. They are mean and attack the other hens. We just had a new babies from our brooding hens and they are getting bigger now and can escape but the roosters chase them if their mom isn't around. The roosters will chase them, corner them, then they hop on top of them and start pecking them or the will pull out multiple feathers from the hens back. One was attacked last night and it drew blood (not too much but it's a banty and a mama), we have witnessed them trying to hurt them several other times, luckily we were outside at the time. One hen was found dead a few weeks ago, it was half eaten and we don't know what killed it but the crows were eating off of it when we checked. They fight over food and the will attack their siblings out of nowhere. What should we do? Is it because of the babies and all of our hens are being mama's except for the new hens that just started laying? Could it have something to do with their food, we feed our chicks a medicated crumble and all of them seem to like that food more? We have separated them during the day and only the babies and the mamas are in the pen area the others are in the yard. We have another rooster (banty rooster) and he is nice and protects them but the other roosters are bigger. They only have problems as we lock up the chicks and moms. We leave them out and leave a hatch open to get in. They get to roam until they want to go in. It's concerning and I raised the chickens, I love them but if we can't figure anything out, we have to put them down. Please help, any ideas needed.

It sounds like you don't have enough hens to go around and keep the little guys busy. I agree with everyone who says to get them away from your flock. You could sell them or give them away if you don't want to eat them yourself. I can usually get $10 for a roo--maybe more if it's a nice breed. Or if you're in a hurry and don't want to wait for a buyer, give them away, especially if you don't mind if others eat your bad boys even if you don't want to.