Protective Bonnets?

[catdaddy66]

I know that you can alleviate a great deal of the damage done to tail feathers of the hens from mating by using the "Aprons" or saddles on the girls' rumps. Can there be a "Bonnet" that similarly protects the back of the head of these layers?? I have three layers that have been stripped of the feathers in these areas. One almost died due to the mating (by several roos) and lost all of her tissue on the back of her skull. We did isolate her and treat the area, and now she is perky, alert and laying, though still isolated. The dead tissue has sloughed off and feathers have returned to all areas except the missing skin/fascia. I just want to keep her protected, as well as the others, from the aggressive mating of the remaining 2 roos. ( I had the others removed to freezer camp!)A cheap effective solution would be a great help for all my girls. Thanks!

 

[CMV]

I have never had any luck with bonnets. They seem to irritate the owner and the other birds in the flock. They are constantly being pulled off or down, and really never seem to be in the desired position. If you figure out a solution let us know!

Good luck.

 

[catdaddy66]

Here is a profile pic of the "monk"! The base of her skull to the crown of her head is exposed and as wide as "ear to ear".

I am happy to announce continued healing of the area and will probably keep her isolated a bit longer.

 

[elmo]

Two of our hens plucked the feathers off the back of another's neck this summer, but I stopped it before there was any broken skin. I separated the victim and kept her safe until the feathers grew back. It took about a month for the feathers to regrow.

In the case of your hen, I would be very nervous about putting that hen back in with the roosters until her feathers have grown back. The feathers do provide some protection when the rooster grabs on. And I'd watch very carefully, daily, to make sure the same problem wasn't repeating.

I wonder if Blu Kote on the back of the neck would stop the roosters from grabbing on? Probably not...the instinct to mate is too strong.

 

[catdaddy66]

I did not even consider Blu Kote! But you are probably right in that the behavior is too strongly ingrained to stop.