Can a Cochin rooster be too heavy for lighter weight hens?

[hannakat]

I have a Blue Cochin rooster who recently turned 2. In the last 3-4 weeks I've notice broken feathers on some of the girls... on both sides with the breaks happening midway on the length of the feather.

My thought is that he's gotten too big for them. The girls are RIR, EEs, Wyandotte, Marans and Ameraucana.

His feet are so enormous that I think it's breaking the feathers.

Should I get a different rooster? We free range so a rooster is necessary.

Help!!!

 

[Angiebubs]

I worry about this all the time as well. I have a mixed flock of bantys and LF. However, they all seem fine so far. (Bantys-the roo cant usually mount so prevents issues).

As far as the broken feathers on back-that is very typical. All flocks that I seen the hens will show feather loss on the backs. One thing that can help with this is to make sure there are enough hens for the roo (ALthough often the roo has his favorites). They also make "aprons" to put on hens-I did this for the first year and it was pretty funny looking. They are only a couple dollars each but the hens had a fit at first. I havent bothered since my first year. You can also try to trim the roos nails.