This is a weird one...

[Kalimak]

Hi all,

This is a weird one for me. For the past week or so, there has been a hen hanging out inside the coop almost all the time. Today when I was cleaning, I grabbed her and put her outside with the rest of the flock, the rooster rushed to her and mounted her, she could barely take another step and he mounted her again, she tried to move and he mounted her AGAIN. 3 times in about 10 seconds. I walked to her and grabbed her (very very odd that she didn't run away and let me grab her). I grabbed her and put her back inside the coop, and I kept tripping over the rooster on my way to the coop, he was so eager to get her from my hands. At that point I think I understood why she's staying inside. But what does all this mean?

 

[sourland]

It means that for some reason she has become an easy target, and he is abusing her. Check for physical/health issues and make sure that she is getting enough to eat and drink. It may even be necessary to remove him or her from the flock for a whild.

 

[MarkJr]

I think she’s not feeling very well (you can catch her) and the roo is taking advantage of the situation.

I’d suggest keeping an eye on her to figure what’s wrong.

(I’ve had a wrung neck go wrong and roo do same thing while she was disoriented and weak)

 

[Kalimak]

It means that for some reason she has become an easy target, and he is abusing her. Check for physical/health issues and make sure that she is getting enough to eat and drink. It may even be necessary to remove him or her from the flock for a whild.

Thank you, kinda had this feeling...

 

[Kalimak]

I think she’s not feeling very well (you can catch her) and the roo is taking advantage of the situation.

I’d suggest keeping an eye on her to figure what’s wrong.

(I’ve had a wrung neck go wrong and roo do same thing while she was disoriented and weak)

Thank you. I'm going to check her now.

 

[LizzzyJo]

(I’ve had a wrung neck go wrong and roo do same thing while she was disoriented and weak)

oh my goodness I would be so mad at him!!!

 

[Kalimak]

I’ve since separated her and brought* her to the enclosed patio area. Put down food and water and she went to eating right away. So far she seems to be very alert. I just checked on her and looks like she’s trying to sleep for the night.

 

[aart]

How old are all these birds?

I had a cock target a hen once, he chased her all over for weeks on end but didn't mount her.
My setup is big enough for her to get away.
Eventually it subsided.

 

[KiwiandPeachthePigeons]

I have this rooster that has a problem with mounting anything, and I mean ANYTHING. I keep him in a separate pen with a friend who he doesn’t mount. He used to target specifically my little silkie hen. He goes after my peachicks, even my young cockerels so I usually just keep him penned.

 

[Kalimak]

How old are all these birds?

I had a cock target a hen once, he chased her all over for weeks on end but didn't mount her.
My setup is big enough for her to get away.
Eventually it subsided.

rooster is over 2 years old. Hen is a bit over a year. I think I’ve had the same thing happen to a hen in the other flock. She suddenly started staying (all day) and sleeping in the barn with the goats, it turned out the rooster wasn’t giving her a break, but now she’s out again with the rest of the flock.