Are my chickens molting during winter??

[ChickenLittle5]

I found at least one more hen that has a large area of broken feathers in that same spot (not bald yet) and a few others with a quarter size bald spot. When they’re on the roost, a lot of these spots aren’t noticeable, which is why I didn’t see them sooner. I’ve ordered 2 aprons that should be here Monday. I guess the boys just need to be re-homed.

 

[CluckerFamily]

I found at least one more hen that has a large area of broken feathers in that same spot (not bald yet) and a few others with a quarter size bald spot. When they’re on the roost, a lot of these spots aren’t noticeable, which is why I didn’t see them sooner. I’ve ordered 2 aprons that should be here Monday. I guess the boys just need to be re-homed.

I might’ve missed this but how many roosters do you have?
I have 16 hens/pullets with one rooster.
If I wanted them to hatch their chicks, I would need another rooster but I only have the rooster for the flock protection while free ranging.

 

[ChickenLittle5]

Teflon doesn’t come from the poultry heat lamps but the bulbs themself. They have a coating of teflon on them.

How cold is cold?
I have had chickens with bald backs from a rooster in 0F and below 0F weather before.

Yes, the bulb would be where the Teflon would originate, but I don’t think ALL bulbs have a Teflon coating. We used these in the brooder and I definitely checked to see if they were “safe” for chicks before using the.

It hasn’t been below zero...probably not even single digits much. But we have had a few snows and it has been relatively colder for here. There is still some snow on the ground today. Had the heat lamp not been turned on in the first place, I wouldn’t have deemed this weather cold enough to turn a lamp on for them, except for the bald backs. I’m just trying to be compassionate and not remove it during our coldest weather.

 

[ChickenLittle5]

I might’ve missed this but how many roosters do you have?
I have 16 hens/pullets with one rooster.
If I wanted them to hatch their chicks, I would need another rooster but I only have the rooster for the flock protection while free ranging.

We have 2 boys and 15 girls. I thought that was a decent ratio, but apparently not. I read that if I only had 1 rooster he might play favorites and give a few girls ALL his attention, whereas he would spread the love if competing with another boy. I’m considering letting them both go.

 

[CluckerFamily]

We have 2 boys and 15 girls. I thought that was a decent ratio, but apparently not. I read that if I only had 1 rooster he might play favorites and give a few girls ALL his attention, whereas he would spread the love if competing with another boy. I’m considering letting them both go.

If you free range or your run isn’t predator proof, you may want to keep one for protecting the flock.
You could also get rid of one and see how it goes.
2:15 is a great ratio for making sure your eggs are fertile for breeding.

 

[aart]

The 'rooster' to hen ratio of 1:10 that is often cited is primarily for fertility efficiency in commercial breeding facilities.
It doesn't mean that if a cockbird has 10 hens that he won't abuse or over mate them.
Many breeders keep pairs, trios, quads, etc ....short term and/or long term.
It all depends on the temperaments of the cock and hens and sometimes housing provided.
Backyard flocks can achieve good fertility with a larger ratio.


Keep in mind to that some birds have brittle/weak feathers that are more easily damaged by treading and/or pecking activity.

 

[MissE]

My ISAs had bare backs until I got more girls and my roo was able to spread the love a little more. He's gentle, but needed to find some more favorites.

 

[ChickenLittle5]

The 'rooster' to hen ratio of 1:10 that is often cited is primarily for fertility efficiency in commercial breeding facilities.
It doesn't mean that if a cockbird has 10 hens that he won't abuse or over mate them.
Many breeders keep pairs, trios, quads, etc ....short term and/or long term.
It all depends on the temperaments of the cock and hens and sometimes housing provided.
Backyard flocks can achieve good fertility with a larger ratio.


Keep in mind to that some birds have brittle/weak feathers that are more easily damaged by treading and/or pecking activity.

I don't think housing would be the issue here, although just because I have an ideal average space/bird doesn't mean the birds don't have their own ideal space. Here is what we have for the 17 birds. We have a 10'x8' hen house w/ three 8' roosts, 5 nests boxes hanging off the side, plus a 10'x20' run. Thoughts on the size are welcome. Our goal is to introduce free-ranging in the spring. We were going to do it last fall, but not all pullets were laying and I wanted to train them where to lay before free-ranging.

My ISAs had bare backs until I got more girls and my roo was able to spread the love a little more. He's gentle, but needed to find some more favorites.

The kids are doing the 4H chick chain again this year, so we might have 1-2 extra girls that will join the mix in late summer. They're each getting 12 chicks, but I've already told them they will all be sold at the end of the summer. If we are able to successfully free-range the older birds, I'll probably let them each keep 1. I'm not building a bigger coop though! We had enough excitement last year trying to build a coop while fighting the rain, dealing with supply shortages, and pandemic prices. This year we want to reap the rewards and enjoy the eggs!!

 

[aart]

Here is what we have for the 17 birds. We have a 10'x8' hen house w/ three 8' roosts, 5 nests boxes hanging off the side, plus a 10'x20' run. Thoughts on the size are welcome.

Size sounds decent for 17 birds, just above the minimal 4/10 'rule of thumb'.
Doesn't guarantee it's enough for multiple males and/or integration.
Pics of it all might help us help you make improvements.