hen and rooster do not get along

[MattyBoyNYC]

Hi all. I have three Seramas in my backyard. My rooster (Pecker) is constantly pecking and injuring one of my hens (Phoenix). I believe he's doing this to protect the other hen (Ruby) from her. Pecker and Ruby are always together and if Phoneix comes near them he either blocks her off from grazing area or will just attack her till she goes away. Phoneix is the best/gentlest/ most intelligent of the bunch but Pecker will not fertilize her eggs. Phoenix is also very dominant and will peck other hens if they come too close to her, which is what happened with Ruby, but she is otherwise an amazing chicken. Is there a way to break Phoenix's behavior, or would trying a new rooster be worth it? We have 9 chicks brooding, 5 Seramas and 4 Black copper Marans, I'm wondering how she'll tolerate the new flock. Any insightys or suggestions would be most helpful and thank you in advance,

 

[FrostRanger]

I'd cull him. Having favorites is fine, but not injuring the other hens. You'll probably wind up with at least one cockerel, I'd see how they do

 

[MattyBoyNYC]

one of the marans is a roo. Hes biting her on the back of the head to the point that she is bleeding and has a bald spot. Shes pretty big and holds her own. But yea sopa ge gallo is a real thought

 

[MattyBoyNYC]

my main dilema is with understanding if its the fault of the hen or rooster or both and if just some behavior modification would do the trick. I'm not particularly attached to the rooster but the hen is very gentle with humans and overall more intelligent

 

[FrostRanger]

my main dilema is with understanding if its the fault of the hen or rooster or both and if just some behavior modification would do the trick. I'm not particularly attached to the rooster but the hen is very gentle with humans and overall more intelligent

Some roos are just jerks, yes, nurture can be a factor but often it's just due to bad genetics. I wouldn't put up with him especially since you are breeding your birds. If you don't weed out bad attitudes today you'll be dealing with the same bad attitude with multiple birds tomorrow

 

[Mrs. K]

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