What to do about a rooster and his girlfriend?

[ninanonna]

We've recently discovered that our 3 month old Australorp is actually a rooster, and sadly has to go. My dilemma is this: we don't know what to do about the other chicken he bonded with, a silver-laced Wyandotte. We brought both of them into our flock of two existing hens to increase egg production. The two older hens are really cohesive and really ruling the roost. A very strong pecking order was quickly established, and the two newest chickens are soundly at the bottom. I'm uncertain what would happen to the Wyandotte if we remove her partner. Will she be safe on her own? Or should we remove both newer chickens at the same time?

 

[kidcody]

There bond would change anyways once he becomes an adult rooster. Your hen will be just fine

 

[ninanonna]

kidcody- your point is an excellent one, but what I'm really concerned about is how aggressive the other two hens are. The two older hens peck at the two younger ones relentlessly, however they've never drawn blood. They also keep them from food and water, so that we have to keep two feeding stations at each end of the run. I worry that they will bully her beyond recovery if she is left alone without another to help.