Bare backed and sun burned

[Xdash]

Hello ! I have chickens that am assuming have been over mounted by rooster. They have little to no feathers left on their backs. I bought them saddles to protect their backs and hopefully allow feathers to grow back .. accept it seems to have made it worse, now the feathers will not grow back at all and their shoulders are all getting bare and some are missing tail feathers . I swapped out saddles to some of the worse hens and now they are getting sunburned .. I am not sure how to premote new feather growth and keep saddles on for protection . I have saddles with shoulder protection on the way but I think the saddles are preventing feather re-growth... is getting rid of roosters my only option or attempting separation somehow ? any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[MGG]

Hello ! I have chickens that am assuming have been over mounted by rooster. They have little to no feathers left on their backs. I bought them saddles to protect their backs and hopefully allow feathers to grow back .. accept it seems to have made it worse, now the feathers will not grow back at all and their shoulders are all getting bare and some are missing tail feathers . I swapped out saddles to some of the worse hens and now they are getting sunburned .. I am not sure how to premote new feather growth and keep saddles on for protection . I have saddles with shoulder protection on the way but I think the saddles are preventing feather re-growth... is getting rid of roosters my only option or attempting separation somehow ? any ideas would be appreciated.

What is your hen to rooster ratio? You'll have to separate the hens (or remove all the roosters) to give the hens time to heal.

 

[Xdash]

What is your hen to rooster ratio? You'll have to separate the hens (or remove all the roosters) to give the hens time to heal.

To many to to few ... I haven’t been able to gong homes to my Roos .. and haven’t been able to get more hens ..
What is rough heal time after separation and will Roos fight if they can’t access hens ?

 

[freedom chick]

I agree with removing the roosters. Maybe find a nice farm for the extra boys. There is much value in roosters and there are people who depend on them to protect large flocks and keep rodents and pests down. As far as your girls, I would provide them with shade, peace and quiet away from an overly affectionate rooster, and make a couple extra chicken saddles. I used an old pair of denim jeans and used a hot glue gun to glue a soft piece of fleece on the underside, then cut wing holes. YouTube has some great videos for when you need to make somethings fast. You can moisturize their skin with coconut oil, which has a natural SPF -not enough to block rays altogether but some. It also will help moisturize skin. Coconut oil also has natural anti inflammatory properties to promote healing. If you mix a couple drops of peppermint essential oil into some water and spray is on their backs it will cool their skin just like with any sunburn -but watch the eyes. Peppermint oil also keeps flies away so it has a duel purpose.
It will be weeks before their feathers start to grow back in. Weeks. I kept saddles on for quite awhile for protection.
Extra protein helps with feather production as well, maybe scrambled eggs (my chickens are spoiled).
Mostly what I have found is, that’s just life with a rooster. They tear up the hens. He kept me away from girls too, which was a bummer for me. As a backyard flock keeper I prefer to take care of the girls and rehomed our big naughty boy.

I am attaching photo of my homemade saddle.

Here is a simple YouTube video I found.
easy peasy homemade saddle

 

[keesmom]

To many to to few ... I haven’t been able to gong homes to my Roos .. and haven’t been able to get more hens ..
What is rough heal time after separation and will Roos fight if they can’t access hens ?

Lock up the males. They may fight, or they may not. It depends on the individual birds involved. While you have them locked up maybe try to thin them out some. Craigslist, listing at your local feed store, or even look for a poultry processor.

Unfortunately those feathers won't grow back until they molt.

 

[freedom chick]

I agree, meat processing is rather an inexpensive quick fix if you cannot place them. Just be careful on Craigslist so they don’t get used in cock fighting rings. The thought seems cruel.

 

[MGG]

Lock up the males. They may fight, or they may not. It depends on the individual birds involved. While you have them locked up maybe try to thin them out some. Craigslist, listing at your local feed store, or even look for a poultry processor.

Unfortunately those feathers won't grow back until they molt.

x2.

 

[Avian Allie]

Is it possibly a fungal infection? You can tell because the skin will be red and swollen.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hello ! I have chickens that am assuming have been over mounted by rooster. They have little to no feathers left on their backs. I bought them saddles to protect their backs and hopefully allow feathers to grow back .. accept it seems to have made it worse, now the feathers will not grow back at all and their shoulders are all getting bare and some are missing tail feathers . I swapped out saddles to some of the worse hens and now they are getting sunburned .. I am not sure how to premote new feather growth and keep saddles on for protection . I have saddles with shoulder protection on the way but I think the saddles are preventing feather re-growth... is getting rid of roosters my only option or attempting separation somehow ? any ideas would be appreciated.

To many to to few ... I haven’t been able to gong homes to my Roos .. and haven’t been able to get more hens ..
What is rough heal time after separation and will Roos fight if they can’t access hens ?

If you have photos you wish to share that would be good.

Hens that lose their feathers due to mating - likely those feathers are broken so the shaft is still intact. As @keesmom mentioned = those feathers will not be replaced until the hens molt. The saddles haven't made the loss worse - having roosters with them has. (sorry)

Is getting rid of the roosters your only option? No. You can build separate pens for the roosters. It won't kill them to be penned separately.
Processing the extra roosters is another option - stock up your freezer with a few meals.
Posting them on CL or FB is another option.

Your hens are important. They are the ones that produce eggs for you weekly. Roosters are important too (I love roosters!) but sometimes they need to managed. Separate them out and give those girls a break.

If you are wanting to breed - then choose 1 or 2 roosters you wish to breed. They can still live in their own separate pens. Just put the rooster of your choice with the hens for several days when you want eggs fertilized.