Hen-Pecked Rooster

[PossiblyPekin]

Meet Romeo, my very loving Belgium D'uccle. As you can see, Romeo's once beautiful white spots that were present in his neck and chest, have been broken off by one of his hens — she's since been rehomed. The areas around his chest and neck now feel like a prickly beard and my poor boy looks a little bit silly.

I have upped their protein to help them all when the time comes for them to molt. I'd like to ask a question to all those more experienced than me, will he shed his broken feathers? Someone told me to pluck every broken feather to speed up the process but I couldn't do that, considering that'd mean plucking his chest and neck to the point where he'd look ready to be put in the oven — there are a lot of broken feathers.

I'm giving them a steady supply of protein, vitamins and calcium. So I'm hoping that he'll return to his beautiful self in a few months.

 

[DobieLover]

will he shed his broken feathers?

Probably.

Someone told me to pluck every broken feather to speed up the process but I couldn't do that

Good for you.

calcium

Not him. He does not need it. All extra calcium beyond what is required to maintain his body should be kept on the side so that only active layers can free choice eat it as their bodies require it for shell formation. Keep the flock on a good quality All Flock or grower. I shoot for 20% protein with oyster shell on the side in 2 high traffic locations. It works very well.

he'll return to his beautiful self in a few months

He's still beautiful.

If he is still a cockerel, he won't molt out of that until next late summer/early fall. If he is a rooster, he should already have started his molt. My rooster molts for a very long time so the change is very gradual with him.