Roosters now hate hen

Jared Vera

Songster
Apr 21, 2020
161
145
131
Texas, Usaaaaaaa
For a long time, my hen was the one who kept every chicken (4) in order in a way. She was kinda feared by the other hen and 3 other roosters. One day, we let her sit on her eggs and hatch them. I took in 12 and 8 hatched, and the hen kept 3. 2 of the hen’s eggs hatched but the little chick fell out of the coop and died. Another egg hatched and she had 2 again. We made her her own area so she could raise the chicks. After 2 days, one of the chicks mysteriously disappeared and one remained. After 1 week, we decided to take in the chick because we were worried he might disappear like the one before him. We put the hen back with the others and all the roosters started making alerted noises. I set her down and the roosters puff up and have their mane (I think it’s called that) all raised and they attacked the hen. I decided to lock her in the coop by herself and feed her from the inside. After 5 days, I decided it was time to get her back outside, but when I open the coop door, the roosters go in and attack. I managed to get the hen out without any mark on her but myself. I locked her back away and now I do not know what to do. I don’t know why the roosters now despise her and want to harm her when she took care of them in a sense. Should I keep her locked away in the coop or make another area just for her to stay and lay eggs? The previous area is now occupied with 9 chicks.
 
I’m sorry you are having this problem, I’m sure it’s stressful. I think optimal numbers are 1 rooster to about 10 hens, so I think your first problem is too many roosters. When you integrate a “new” flock member, the look but don’t touch method seems to work for some people. Can you put her with the other chickens but make it so they can’t get to her?

What is your plan on integrating the new chicks with the flock? Is there a reason she can’t be with the chicks?

I would probably cull all the roosters if it were me. With all those chicks you will have a new rooster by springtime and it will save this hen a lot of grief. If you cull down to one rooster it would be an improvement, then you can isolate him for a few days and let her regain her place in the pecking order.
 
I don’t know why the roosters now despise her and want to harm her when she took care of them in a sense.
That's doesn't matter.
There is always a re-integration scenario when a broody is brought back into the flock.
How you manage it depends on your set up and experience.
The situation you describe is confusing...where did the extra chicks come from?
 
That's doesn't matter.
There is always a re-integration scenario when a broody is brought back into the flock.
How you manage it depends on your set up and experience.
The situation you describe is confusing...where did the extra chicks come from?
The other chicks came from her eggs but I took them in to incubate them myself, the other one chick was from her.
 
I think the problem is your rooster to hen ratio you really only need 1 rooster per so many hens. They over mate and are aggressive when competition comes in to play.
 
At this point because they're already separated, if I had the resources I would put hen in a separate coop and put any female chicks with her once they're old enough, and put male chicks with the roos. Otherwise I would recommend the see but don't touch method for reintegration.
 
The other chicks came from her eggs but I took them in to incubate them myself, the other one chick was from her.
How old are chicks?

Here's how I integrate chicks:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

Still following the.....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better.
Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/
 
How old are chicks?

Here's how I integrate chicks:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

Still following the.....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/
There are 5 chicks who are 5 weeks old, 3 that are 3 1/2 weeks old and one 1 1/2 week old
 
And the roosters surprisingly do not fight at all. I am always there and when they were young and growing I always taught them not to fight with one another. And now, all roosters are singing and they don’t even care if one is louder or whatever. They don’t fight for anything. They even sing together, like, one crows, the other then does, then simultaneously they crow. Idk I’m not an expert though...
 
There are 5 chicks who are 5 weeks old, 3 that are 3 1/2 weeks old and one 1 1/2 week old
Do all these live together?

And the roosters surprisingly do not fight at all.
How old are they in months?
I'm guessing they are still pretty young and yo may be in for a nasty surprise as their hormone level rise. I hope you have place to put them separate from all the other birds if that happens.
 

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