Bare chicken backs

[Rick589]

We, unfortunately, ended up with too many cockerels for the number of hens (2 out of 6). As a result our hens were being beaten by the boys fighting over them with the subsequent loss of back and wing feathers. We managed to finally re-home the one cockerel (the bully) and the remaining cockerel is much more gentle with the ladies. During our stint with dueling cockerels we put saddles on the hens and in my opinion they seem to have made the condition of the hens worse so we removed them a few day after getting rid of the one cockerel and they’ve been left this way ever since. The existing cockerel doesn’t appear to be causing any further damage to the hens but I’ve been noticing that the exposed skin seems to be chaffed and somewhat dry and scaly. I’m not sure whether this is just the way it’s going to be before they molt, should we be applying some medication, put the saddles back on? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Eggcessive]

In my first time with chickens my hens experienced overbreeding as well, and I made some 1 piece polar fleece hen saddles that were held on by the wings. They did regrow their feathers at the first molt around 18 months, and didn’t need the saddles ever again. Mr. Rooster calmed down a lot. Here is a link with a similar no sew hen saddle as mine:
http://www.linnacresfarm.com/2014/04/how-to-make-simple-hen-saddleapron.html

 

[Rick589]

In my first time with chickens my hens experienced overbreeding as well, and I made some 1 piece polar fleece hen saddles that were held on by the wings. They did regrow their feathers at the first molt around 18 months, and didn’t need the saddles ever again. Mr. Rooster calmed down a lot. Here is a link with a similar no sew hen saddle as mine:
http://www.linnacresfarm.com/2014/04/how-to-make-simple-hen-saddleapron.html

Thank You for the reply. The saddles we used were canvas and as stated we think they actually made the situation worse. I guess at this point I’m more concerned about the condition of the exposed skin. It appears dry and reddish although it doesn’t seem to be bothering the hens. Looking for opinions on whether to just leave it alone or treat it somehow. These hens are not yet one year old and I’m anticipating their first molt this coming fall.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would just leave it alone and watch for any feather picking. I see a few black dots that might be where someone is pecking out feathers and eating them. They will look very nice once they molt later in the year.