Very "Busy" Rooster - Updated with Pictures

[McNugget]

A while back I posted that I had some pecking problems
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=304967

Well... I wasn't "seeing" the pecking anymore, but most of my hens were getting bare spots on their backs. Like most people I have to work for a living so I'm not home to "see" who the pecker is... but I found out through research the root of the pecking problem is not pecking at all! Its an over "busy" rooster! He has warn the feathers off the backs of most of my hens!

... Some more than others (guess these are his fav's).

I found the pattern for the hen apron/saddle. My mom helped me make them I have one hen with it on (the worst one), and I need to buy snaps to finish the rest today. My roo is a fairly nice roo, and dosen't seem to force himself on the hens. The hens do respond to his advances with the appropriate posturing, so he's not being brutal, ... just very "busy"

I had the roo in the bully cage in the chicken house for about 4 days to give the hen's a break and to have a chance to heal for scratches and bruses. Poor Bernie was not happy in that bully cage, but his hen friends woud visit with him.

The one that has the apron (saddle may be the best word to use, but ....) now seems to be confrotable in it and seems it does work to protect her back from the rooster and the sun. I was worring about sun burn on the exposed skin!

Anyone else have this problem? if so what do you do about it.

 

[ShaggysGirl]

My roo has two favorite hens who have to wear saddles. They work wonderfully. Not only do you have to worry about sunburn or frozen skin in the winter but after the feather are gone next is flesh and then infection. Best to keep exposed skin covered

 

[McNugget]

We finally got the aprons made and on the girls. Here's a few that have with matching aprons.

From day to day we will find an apron laying on the ground or in the house, but for the most part the girls seem to accept them. When a hen sheds her apron, we wait until dark and go "dress" her while she's roosting. Easier go catch them then.

Here is one that lost her aporn. She was redressed after dark.

Here is the rooster's most favoriate hen. The one that stuck with him while he was "incarcerated". Notice that he has warn the feathers off the top of her wings! Guess I can't do much about that.

Anyway the hens are now safe from the sun, claws and spurs.