Bareback Chickens

[M Brennen]

Many of my chickens have backs that are bare and feather on their wings broken. I’m assuming it is from the two roosters. I have over thirty hens, so I figured that was enough to keep the boys happy. Besides getting rid of the two roosters (they are good boys otherwise) is there anything else I can do to protect the girls?

 

[aart]

You could get rid of one male.
But that won't make feathers grow back, you'll have to wait for a molt.
How old are these birds, in weeks or months?

Some birds have weak brittle feathers that break more easily from treading.
Bare backs bother us more than the birds, unless the exposed skin has wounds from toenails and/or spurs.

 

[M Brennen]

You could get rid of one male.
But that won't make feathers grow back, you'll have to wait for a molt.
How old are these birds, in weeks or months?

Some birds have weak brittle feathers that break more easily from treading.
Bare backs bother us more than the birds, unless the exposed skin has wounds from toenails and/or spurs.

The birds are all a year old. I was attributing it to young males. There are no wounds and some birds don’t have them missing. I was figuring the ones that do are “favorites.” I’m worried that the birds will be cold when the fall and winter sets in.

 

[aart]

The birds are all a year old

Exactly 12 months......or more like 14-18 months?
Most birds will have a full molt their 2nd fall/winter.

I’m worried that the birds will be cold when the fall and winter sets in.

I hear ya.
I've had a few go thru winter with bare backs, they fared OK.

 

[B-Goock]

I've used hen saddles before. It's like an appron that goes on their backs. Hens don't like when you put them on but don't mind them after they are on.
I've had a few roosters that quit mounting them when they had them on.

 

[Mrs. K]

IMO - the best thing you can do is nothing, just wait it out. This time of year, feathers are old and getting ratty. They are getting ready to go into a molt. All those feathers will fall off and be replaced with pretty new feathers. With the daylight shrinking, the sap will start to fall in your roosters too.

One of the things I look for, is how do the hens act around the roosters? Are they in love? Do they hang with him? Or do they hide out and run away from them. Trust their judgement, they know more about being a chicken, than either you or I ever will.

Next year, I don't think you will have as much problems, your roosters will get better.



Mrs K