Chicken has a big bald patch, help!

[justachickenlover]

Two of my hens are getting bald patches near their tails, and one has a really big bald patch. I know why they are getting them, and not because of parasites, because my roosters randomly jump on the hens and start pecking their feathers off. I don't want this to end up in the roosters killing the hens, so I need help on a cure for bald patches. Thanks

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Two of my hens are getting bald patches near their tails, and one has a really big bald patch. I know why they are getting them, and not because of parasites, because my roosters randomly jump on the hens and start pecking their feathers off. I don't want this to end up in the roosters killing the hens, so I need help on a cure for bald patches. Thanks

How many roosters to hens do you have?
How old are they?

If the bald patches are due to mating and/or too many roosters, it's best to separate out, rehome or cull any excess males you don't need.

The only cure I know of for the bald patches is stop the rooster activity. You may have some success with using chicken saddles to cover the exposed skin, but if the feathers have been broken or rubbed off, the girls won't regrown their feathers until they molt.

 

[justachickenlover]

I have 3 roosters and 5 hens, All of the hens are 1 1/2 years old and the roosters are about 2 yrs.

 

[Akrnaf2]

I have 3 roosters and 5 hens, All of the hens are 1 1/2 years old and the roosters are about 2 yrs.

You have to much roosters! They are mating the hens and this is probably the reason. A rooster should have at least 7 hens and 10 is better.
In this situation they can be very harmful to your hens! So IMHO
you have 3 choices :
1. Re-home 2 of them.
2. Eat 2 of them
3. Make a bachelors pen and put in 2 of them there.

 

[justachickenlover]

I think the bachelors pen is a great idea, also what are the signs that they mated? Because the hen that they attack most does not lay eggs.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You have to much roosters! They are mating the hens and this is probably the reason. A rooster should have at least 7 hens and 10 is better.
In this situation they can be very harmful to your hens! So IMHO
you have 3 choices :
1. Re-home 2 of them.
2. Eat 2 of them
3. Make a bachelors pen and put in 2 of them there.

X2

 

[PLayne]

Do you free range any? Or have them mainly in a coop? Pen?

 

[Akrnaf2]

I think the bachelors pen is a great idea, also what are the signs that they mated? Because the hen that they attack most does not lay eggs.

It really doesn't matter to them, they will try with every pullet /hen around.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It really doesn't matter to them, they will try with every pullet /hen around.

This is very true.

The hen they are mating the most is probably low in pecking order and is weaker than the others. If she isn't laying eggs - is she older, molting or not feeling well? You may need to check her over and look for signs of illness or parasites.

Separating your roosters is the quickest fix to give your hens a rest.

I hope all goes well for you.

 

[PLayne]

Also, be sure to keep those spurs trimmed down. As a newbie, I made the mistake of not catching that in time and my big barred rock rooster injured one of my hens under her wing with one of his spurs. She was a Black Marans and I didn’t see blood until it was too late. By the time she started acting strange, nothing I did saved her from that point.
Those spurs can be lethal.