Roosters tearing feathers from hens. What can i do?

[countrykids4]

My rooster are tearing the feathers from the backs of my hens what should i do? I have thought about separating them. But am afraid the Roosters might fight. My hens looked real good. But now they all look Bad because of these nasty roosters. I really don't care for having Roosters.. Can anyone help?

 

[LegHorn-BusHorn]

I can't help you, but I think my rooster did the same same thing to one of my hens. I got so upset and it was below zero I brought her inside. Good news is the feathers are growing back. I hope you can get a better answer!

 

[LeghornLisa]

How many hens and roosters do you have? Roosters will pull feathers out of the hens when they are holding them down to "have their way with them". I have seen hen aprons on a website I think it was mypetchicken.com or shopthecoop.com. They protect the hens from the plucking. I think some roosters are more aggressive than others and some hens are more submissive than others. I would remove the rooster for a bit and see what happens...

 

[ranchhand]

if you enter "chicken saddles" in the search box top right, you'll find lots of info about protecting hen from overly amorous roosters.

 

[teach1rusl]

If you have too many roosters, that can happen. You may have to get rid of some of them. As someone else mentioned, you can buy a chicken saddle to cover the area that's getting torn up. Or watch to see if one particular rooster is to blame. It may be a young rooster who doesn't know how to be gentle, or just a rough rooster.

 

[ninny]

Chicken saddle. I just made one out of a old pair of jeans and sewed fleece to the back of it. She is much happier.

 

[countrykids4]

I have heard of those aprons before. I have 36 hen and 4 Roosters I just hate to buy or make 36 of those apron. EN then to think about washing them. Yuck. . Hubby Clipped the Roosters claws today hopping that might help. It was Beautiful today so we left them out to free range. They had been in a buddy run durring all the snow. Do I have enough Hens for each Rooster. Just asking I thought we did. But then i could be Wrong. I thought it was 8-10 hens for each Rooster. I will look up the saddles or Apron though.

 

[SC_Hugh]

You just need a few chicken saddles (aprons) to cover the hens that need time to heal. Do you have 4 good roosters or is one rooster the low man that is taking it out on the girls? I think you would be fine with 3 roosters instead of 4.

I have one young rooster with three pullets, all three of my pullets are wearing chicken saddles and I wash them once a month. I will look into trimming the claws on my rooster too.

My pullets starting wearing their aprons before Ricky had a chance to tear them up. He does bite a little on their head or neck when he is pinning them down. So far, so good.

Good luck,

Hugh

 

[rhoda_bruce]

I believe I have 42 RIR hens with 2 roosters. I only want roosters for fertile eggs and thats not necessary often anyway. Otherwise, I consider roosters to be for meat only; or they are a pain in the butt. Sure they are pretty and have funny ways and cute little dances, but they can make some real trouble. They are here for replacement purposes only. I would keep them in jail, until their services are required; if at all.

 

[Uzuri]

Try the aprons, they're the way to go.

I'll let you know, though, that mine, once he got all the feathers out on his two favorites in a patch, stopped doing damage. He hasn't scratched them or anything, it's really kinda weird. I gave upon the aprons being Bossy seemed to be able to get out of anything short of a straight-jacket. I'll make them again if it looks like anyone's getting hurt.