Hen attacking young rooster ... is this normal?

[SwampPrincessChick]

A hen, or multiple hens teaching a young cockerel by bullying him is quite common to see.

Many people put their misbehaved young cockerels in a flock with older hens to teach him manners, and it usually works well. Although, sometimes you will find a cockerel who does not get taught anything and stays his hormonal self. Overall, it is the job of the hens to teach him what he is supposed to do and what he is not supposed to do at a young age—which is usually when he begins trying to mount the hens.

Do not worry about your cockerel getting bullied unless he is developing wounds.

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

The run is 3 x 4 meters, and contains the two coops at the moment, the youngsters one with food and water, and the two older girls coop which has their food and water.
There is also water at the youngsters end and the adult food at the other end where the youngsters haven't got to yet. (Fortunately, as I understand they shouldn't eat the 'grown up' pellets yet.) Sorry they're not great photos, but I hope they help.

I have that pen and I know from looking at it that you do not have enough room size for all of those chickens. That pen is mainly for bantams because it is small. The coops take up a lot of space that the chickens would need.

 

[MountainWoman73]

When I integrate chicks, I use a rabbit hutch with no bottom that's raised a few inches off the ground. (Any sort of cage up on blocks would work.) Little chickens can run underneath if they want, and big chickens can't fit through. I also put the little chickens' food and water in there, which prevents the adult hens from eating it all. I remove the cage after a couple weeks. Other than a few pecks on the head and some arguing at bedtime about who roosts where, I've never had any problems.

 

[LaFleche]

Thank you for the pictures of your set up.

With just 3x4 is looks crowded even just counting the 4 younger chicks.
How many adults are in there as well?

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

Not sure if this has been suggested but maybe lean boards up in the corners and along the wall for a "out of sight" hiding hole?

Our first set of girls were meaners to our second set and we learned while some is normal, theirs was not quite as normal, as the third set we had no issues at all- maybe some pecking but not the cornered attacks, and neck shakes.

Haven't had any issues until our hatchling(broody) rooster started to mount without permission then all the girls were after him lol (at 16 weeks)

Good kuck

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

When I integrate chicks, I use a rabbit hutch with no bottom that's raised a few inches off the ground. (Any sort of cage up on blocks would work.) Little chickens can run underneath if they want, and big chickens can't fit through. I also put the little chickens' food and water in there, which prevents the adult hens from eating it all. I remove the cage after a couple weeks. Other than a few pecks on the head and some arguing at bedtime about who roosts where, I've never had any problems.View attachment 3802782

I like the hutch idea! We have dog play pen panels that we set up and then after about a week I create doors for the chicks with lean-tos lol

 

[C Siena]

That hen is the flock master, she has taken over some of the duties a dominant rooster since it is a rooster-less flock. He's still a very young adolescent but may be showing signs of being a male, such as a bright red comb and wattles. She sees him as a future rival and wants to make sure he does not take over her flock. At that age he should be scared of her and try to stay away. I don't know how much room you have but the more the better.


I don't know what is normal with chickens. Many different things can happen. What I see happen a lot is that the chicks quickly learn to stay away from the adults. If they invade the adults personal space they are likely to get pecked or otherwise attacked so they stay away. To me, this is normal. But occasionally you will have a chicken develop a strong dislike to a specific chicken. They may be the same age or as in your case there may be a difference in ages or maturity levels. When I see this it is typically between the boys but I practically always have a dominant rooster in my flock. With yours being the dominant hen I think it is the same thing.

If your cockerel can get away it could work itself out. The danger is that he gets trapped, either in a corner where he can't get away or he squats down and tries to protect his head but she continues to peck at his head. That's how they can kill each other, they drill a hole in the head by pecking. I've had that happen twice, once a two-week-old chick that decided to kill its sibling and once two 16-week-old cockerels where one killed the other. A few times I've locked a cockerel and his father in separate pens because of how they were fighting until I was ready to butcher one.

If that young male survives, at some point he will mature enough to take over the flock master position. That may be a relatively peaceful transition (it usually is in my flock) or it could mean a serious vicious fight between him and that dominant hen. I've seen that too.

I am going to see what happens by letting two 15 month old hens integrate with two groups of 9.5wk (3 pullets, 4 cockerels) and seven 17 wk pullets But tonight, I am going to let out the RIR cockerel 17 wks. He has been mounting and crowing since 13 wks. He has not been harsh to the girls. I am concerned about him trying to mount the 9.5 wk old pullets.
I will let him out an hour prior to sunset, watch and if he becomes unruly with the young ones then let out a couple of older hens and continue to watch. I need to get the two groups in the same coop and not carry a Large Tub (4' x 2' x 2') with 2 month olds every night and morning. Thank God, literally, my husband helps.
As they will be ready to roost within an hour of letting the RIR out, I should be good on timing and not have to stay out past dusk.