1 hen getting feathers pecked out

[davimi]

We have 4 hens and 1 rooster...all buff orpingtons..One of my hens seems to be getting her back feathers pecked out. Is this normal? Is there anything I can do to help her?

 

[BarkerChickens]

Are you sure they are being pecked out oppose to be rubbed out by the rooster? You may want to do a search for chicken saddles. They are easy to make, but several people sell them too. They protect the back of the hens from roosters.

 

[davimi]

How would i know the difference? Do roosters usually mate with all the hens...or do they sometimes just pick a few?

 

[gckiddhouse]

I have had this problem with my flock for a while. IMO - what happens is that the rooster pulls out a few while mounting them and that exposes the fluffy under feathers and the other hens start pecking at those. Once it starts, they will all peck at a bare back that is trying to grow new feathers. The lower my chickens were in the pecking order, the more they were pecked. We purchased saddles for them and that helped their backs, but the habit was already so strong that they started pecking at their wings. Bare backs and bare wings! I had the ugliest flock! I finally found some saddles with wing protectors https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=131065 and that has finally allowed all the chickens to get all their feathers back.

I say nip it in the bud before it becomes a really bad habit and you end up with a really ugly flock!

I also tried sprays and such, but the saddles worked the best.

edited to correct spelling

 

[davimi]

just ordered a saddle..so i hope that helps...thanks for all ur input!!

 

[gritsar]

I know you already got your question answered. I just wanted to mention something. My roo has 13 hens all to himself, but only one of the girls has to wear a saddle. She is his favorite hen, so she does get mated more often. Also, it seems like it has something to do with the compatability of the two - the way that particular hen squats for him and the way he mounts her. It just wears her feathers off more while the other hens are fine.
A saddle should take care of the problem for you.