Rooster won't leave hens alone! Hens hiding!

[sixchicks]

My coop has three hens and one rooster. Three weeks ago my Wynadotte hatched four chicks and so I seperated her and her chicks from the main coop. Now, my rooster is not being aggressive with the remaining two hens, but mounting them so constantly that their back feathers are all gone and one of the hens has taken to hiding in the coop to stay away from him! Is this just because the pecking order has been disrupted or is something else going on? How do I treat the raw backs of my two hens? Any suggestions would really help!

 

[seminolewind]

I would lock him up for a few weeks.
Or at least use some duct tape across the hen's back to protect her.

 

[yinepu]

I would say you need more hens..
I run 10 hens for each rooster.. since you were already low with only three.. when you took out one it just made things worse for the remaining two

Do you have some place where you can separate him for a while to give the girls a break?

 

[sixchicks]

Could I move the hen with three week old chicks back to the coop and take the rooster out, leaving only the hens and the chicks in the coop?

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
I recommend you purchase chicken saddles/aprons for your hens to protect their backs. Their feathers will eventually grow back after molt. The saddles will also protect them from sunburn. Putting the mama hen and chicks together with the other hens is risky in that the other hens could possibly attack the chicks. The mama hen can protect the chicks only so much. If the hens had already been together with the mama hen and chicks, it probably wouldnt be such an issue, they would be used to each other. Keeping the rooster seperated has consequences later on down the road if you let him back with the hens...he will be more determined than ever to mate with your hens and will hurt them worse...been there, done that! You need more hens, as stated by Yinepu. Your other option is to get rid of your rooster. Keep the mama hen and chicks seperated from the other hens until the chicks get bigger.

 

[sixchicks]

Thanks for the advice. This is the first time I've ever had chicks and I don't want them to get hurt or the rooster to come back with a vengence! I'll buy some chicken saddles. Thanks again.

 

[GoldenSparrow]

I really would recomend lovemychix saddles, you can buy them here in the everything for sale part.

they are fantastic!!
I have buy some from many different places, and have found hers are the BEST!!

 

[Casey3043]

It's not always the number of hens. I have 26 hens and one rooster, and several of the hens (his favorites, I guess) have raw spots on their shoulders and very few feathers on their backs. Others look gorgeous, with not a broken feather in sight. I bought some hen saddles, but haven't put them on yet due to the hot weather. Is it OK for them to wear them with temps in the 90s?

 

[Jacqdiva]

My white Wyandotte hen has saved herself by going broody I think! I have let her and stuck a bunch of everyone's eggs under her. I thought she may as well learn how to be a mum. I have really wanted a broody. How long will it take till her back feathers come back?

 

[Stiggy]

It depends on how far the moult is away and how much extra protein and feed they have. I would remove the roo either temporary or out of the equation entirely and got more hens. That many hens with one roo is problematic and will be stressing the hens out to the point that they may stop laying and become anxious and depressed