Young Rooster aggressive to hen

[Judwah2000]

Hi all,
I've been raising chickens for about 20 years and I haven't seen behavior like this before...It's been years since I bought a rooster, I've bred my own from sweet, tried and true stock. After my old rooster died I sent away for one Lavender Orpington rooster with my new pullets. Well, I received two roos in the bunch and so far they seem to get along OK, there is an alpha and a beta. They are six months old now and the hormones are obviously kicking in. The problem is the alpha rooster has picked out one older hen in particular and I believe trying to mate with her. He jumps on her back but then grabs her by the head repeatedly pecking and grabbing her. He attacks her viciously and flings her around, forgets all about mating and just full out attacks her. The poor hen is terrified and I have her separated for now. Has anyone experienced this behavior before? Is he just learning the ropes so to speak, or is something off? The hen is scarred all along her neck and head and I'm afraid he'll really hurt her. I'd appreciate any advice, thanks!

Jude

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have. I had a barred rock roo who was nice and polite to the pullets he was raised with. The following spring he started moving up in the ranks and started to attack my oldest hens. He went away pretty quickly into the freezer. It was shame. He was great up until he wasn't.

 

[chrissynemetz]

He's likely still trying to figure out how to mate properly. But I think if it were me, I would separate him from the flock until his hormones have calmed down a bit.

 

[chrissynemetz]

How many hens/pullets do you have? You might consider only keeping one cockerel instead of both.

 

[Judwah2000]

Thanks, I'll separate him for a while and give him a chance and see if he calms down.

 

[Judwah2000]

How many hens/pullets do you have? You might consider only keeping one cockerel instead of both.

I have 23 hens. I'll separate him for now and give the beta roo a chance to prove himself a gentleman.

 

[sourland]

Thanks, I'll separate him for a while and give him a chance and see if he calms down.

Good decision.