Do you cull a feather plucker?

[holly1225s]

I have one of my hens doing this above and below the tail of 3 other hens. She is such a good producer and didn’t want to get rid of her that I am trying saddles on the 3 right now. Seems to be helping as I see feathers growing and the area doesn’t look red and irritated.

 

[sophiehatter1057]

Oh yes, that's a male. I'm thinking that's why he's behaving the way he is. Once he's older he might be very aggressive. Time will tell though.

That was my gut feeling but I don't know why. What gives it away?

 

[sophiehatter1057]

I have one of my hens doing this above and below the tail of 3 other hens. She is such a good producer and didn’t want to get rid of her that I am trying saddles on the 3 right now. Seems to be helping as I see feathers growing and the area doesn’t look red and irritated.

I thought about saddles. Where did you find yours?

 

[sophiehatter1057]

I once had one out of 15 chicks (hatched by an experienced broody) that went after the vents of the other chicks.
The momma hen tried to get it in line and prevent it from pecking the others, but the chick was too fast for her slipping under her belly and between her legs and very determined.
I separated it for two days to calm down, but the Instant I let it join the others it started again chasing after the hatch mates and violently pecking at their vents making them bleed and scream.
The momma hen was desperate trying to prevent the cannibalism but failed, so I immediately grabbed it and culled.

No guilt here, sometimes one has to take drastic measures to ensure the safety of the others.

Your aggressor chick looks like a male to me and as his behaviour is already going on for almost half his life I doubt that he will turn around and become a social and competent cockerel/rooster.
As passing this problem bird on to someone else is a no go, culling would be the right choice in my opinion.

That sounds *exactly* like my situation. I'm having a giggle at your description of the cockerel who can't reform his ways. I'm fascinated to learn how you can tell it's a male? (For example, I have another Easter Egger from this same lot that looks very different, but has a large-ish comb, but is very docile and pullet-y looking...only that comb of hers gives me pause). Is it a combination of comb, feathers, and temperament?