not being very successful integrating hen into flock

[Stubbornhillfarm]

Our previous roo was pretty good until he got to be about a 1 year old. He never was agressive with us. But at 1 year old, he started being really rough with the ladies. Many had bare backs and bare necks. Enough is enough, I can't have my hens looking like that. Then one day, I saw him pin one down and walk around her in a circle as he held her, pecking her neck the entire time.

He tasted pretty good.

 

[bj taylor]

this morning the lone hen got out of the gate & into the woods. I tried to lead her, coax her, herd her, chase her - she was NOT going back in. I was so mad by this point, I just gave up on her. I put some water out there and walked away. this afternoon I hear her crying in the woods. her voice was so sad and plaintive. I took my little stool out there. I sat down several yards from her & just gave her my voice a little. she cried while walking around me getting closer and closer till she stopped at my feet & squatted down.

I picked her up & carried her back to the brooder area where she likes it. she was making an odd noise. I thought she was having breathing problems. I was so careful holding her. when I put her down she held such an odd posture & POP out comes an egg.

she drank, ate, took a dust bath. she groomed herself & I guess all is well in her world for the moment. the big ole boy can't get to her.

gosh, who knew chickens were so much trouble? :/

 

[so lucky]

Was this her first egg? The girls really fret and carry on a lot when they first start laying. And all the others have to cheer her on....funny. I'm glad you separated her from the roo. Be careful when/if you put her back in. They may all jump on her.