Rooster attacking hen

[Chimichangas]

I have 26 hens and 1 rooster, two of my hens are 2 years old and the rest are about 1 year old. The rooster is also 1 year old.One of the 2 year old ones is extremely dominant, as a matter of fact I think I saw her stepping on a another hen once to show her dominance. The rooster hasn’t been too keen on her and started attacking her, today I caught him pecking her neck as if he was trying to kill her. A few weeks ago I saw him beating her up, she was flat on the floor, laying on her side and he was still pecking her. I now keep him outside of the run while the ladies stay inside, and yet he keeps trying to fight her. Is there a way to fix this or do I have to get rid of one.

 

[Chimichangas]

also, I forgot to mention, the hens never fight each other. The only fighting is between this hen and the rooster.

 

[DLA]

The hen was trying to act like she was in charge and the rooster thinks he should be in charge. If she continues to challenge him or he has just decided he doesn't like her then you may have to work out some other living arrangements for one of them. Not all chickens will get along no matter what you do.

 

[Mrs. K]

I agree, I had a similar situation kept doing exactly what you are doing. For once a coyote helped me out. If this happens again I won’t wait long to cull. Waiting did not help. Some birds just don’t work out.

 

[16 and me]

I don't know if there is a better solution, but I had to cull a roo for the same issue. He would not give up trying to dominate the hen, and blinded her in one eye. She never really got over the trauma of it, and I had to cull her too. It was a heart-breaking situation.