Chicken Issues

[wmsdas]

I am new to taking care of chickens. I pretty much inherited these. I'm trying to learn as much as I can though. I actually have two concerns going on at the present time.
First, I have one chicken that seems to have something going on with her throat. She seems to be eating and drinking but keeps stretching her neck out and making a very weak sound. She is walking around but not staying with the rest of the chickens like normal, throughout the day. These chickens are skiddish of people and i don't know what i might do to help her.
Second , I have another chicken that my rooster is tearing her poor back up. Lots of feathers missing and very pink areas on her back. How can I take care of her and this problem with him?
Any suggestions or advice appreciated .

 

[Eggcessive]

Separate the rooster for awhile until he gets a little older to give the hen a rest. It sounds like your chicken stretching her name out and making the weak sound could have either a respiratory infection or a crop problem. Crops should feel up with food and water during the day, and empty over night. If the crop feels full or puffy first thing in the morning before she eats, her crop may be the problem. Can your chicken eat and drink normally, even with this problem? Is there any head shaking, watery eyes, sneezing, or nasal drainage?

 

[rebrascora]

@Eggcessive has pretty much covered it. If the rooster is stripping a hens back bare my guess would be that he is a cockerel under a year old. I too would put him in time out and check the hen over thoroughly for any injuries or gashes down her flanks hidden under her wings. If he is rough enough to have her bald and sore he may also have injured her. You can also purchase or make chicken saddles/aprons to protect hens from this sort of mating damage.

As regards your other one with the weird neck movements and funny noise, if it is not a crop problem, could it be a young rooster just developing his voice or could it be a hen that has got something stuck in her throat. To make it easy on yourself, wait until it roosts at night and then pick it off the roost and give it a thorough exam..... photos might help. Place in a cage or even a cardboard box with ventilation holes punched through the sides overnight and then check it's crop in the morning. Far easier than trying to chase down a semi wild chicken and upsetting the whole flock in the process..... not nearly as amusing for the neighbours though.