bare back in winter

[NewFlockOnTheBlock]

I don't think there is a way to house our rooster separately... we do have a spare coop with a small run but he'll drive everyone crazy with the constant crowing and the flock will descend into chaos without him. He does a good job of breaking up fights; he also is pretty good at following hens that get separated from the flock to watch over them (we have hawks, raccoons, etc.).

We'll plan on using saddle aprons starting next spring. We put an apron on our rooster's favorite hen, Lemon Drop, this past spring but it was already too late, and it kept riding up when he mounted her so didn't do much. (Need to look into a different design.) Then Lemon Drop went broody for a bit and Peter turned his affection to Chantrelle and she got roughed up just as badly.

A couple of people in this thread said that their chickens re-grow feathers when there is an injury regardless of whether or not it is molt time, but Lemon Drop's feathers didn't start to grow back in until she she began molting about a month ago.

 

[aart]

A couple of people in this thread said that their chickens re-grow feathers when there is an injury regardless of whether or not it is molt time, but Lemon Drop's feathers didn't start to grow back in until she she began molting about a month ago.

If a feather is fully plucked out it will begin to regrow almost immediately,
but if it's just broken off a new one won't grow until molt.
Some birds just have brittle feathers that break easily when trod by cock/erel.