Young rooster very aggressive with one hen

[katiemanis]

I have nine chickens - three have been together since they were chicks, 1.5 years ago. The other six have been together since they were chicks, 6 months ago. All nine have been sharing a fairly large coop and run since early summer. There was one rooster in the first set of three, and I recently realized I also have one rooster in the younger set of six. I haven't noticed the two roosters fighting, but the younger rooster has been very aggressively pecking/chasing one of my older hens recently. She is missing a lot of feathers, and she has recently taken to hiding under the coop. I am not certain she is coming out for food or water. As far as I can tell, he is not picking on any of the other hens. I am uncertain what to do at this point - should I separate him permanently, or should I try a temporary separation and then slowly reintroduce? Any advice would be helpful.

 

[sourland]

Two roosters in a flock of nine is really one 'too many'. I would recommend separating him from the flock and keeping your mature more sensible rooster.

 

[katiemanis]

Thanks for the response. I think I am going to section off one corner of the run and let him have that space, with a small coop of his own. The older rooster can be aggressive towards me, but has always been really good with the hens (and he was even pretty good with the chicks when I first introduced them).

 

[katiemanis]

Anyone have any advice on whether or not it is a good idea to give the younger roo part of the run, where he will still be able to see the older roo and all the hens, although not able to access them? Should I let him have a hen or two in his part of the run? Should I make it so they cannot see each other, or is it okay if they can see each other? The roosters have not been aggressive to each other, just overbreeding/being aggressive to at least the one hen.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

I, personally, would get rid of the older rooster that is aggressive towards people and let your younger rooster take over. He might not be so aggressive with the hens when he isn't competing for too-few hens with another male.


Life is too short to keep an aggressive rooster, and there are too many gentle roosters looking for homes.