FEATHERS

[amyquinn8625]

I have a rooster....but my question is a few of my female chickens are losing feathers on their backs, why?

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Sounds like over mating. How many hens do you have per rooster?

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

Sounds like over mating. How many hens do you have per rooster?

I agree, you probably don’t have enough hen s to divide the rosters “aggression”

 

[amyquinn8625]

Sounds like over mating. How many hens do you have per rooster?

1 rooster 10 hens

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

1 rooster 10 hens

Still seems like over mating. The proportions are correct but the rooster seems to have a favorite. Have you thought about a saddle?

 

[The Phantom]

Still seems like over mating. The proportions are correct but the rooster seems to have a favorite. Have you thought about a saddle?

X2

 

[amyquinn8625]

Still seems like over mating. The proportions are correct but the rooster seems to have a favorite. Have you thought about a saddle?

Apparently, he does. I have not considered it, but will look into it. Thank you for your time.

 

[aart]

Could also be that your hens just have brittle feathers that are easily broken.
....or they are the favorites of your possibly over zealous male.
How old are these birds?

The 'rooster' to hen ratio of 1:10 that is often cited is primarily for fertility efficiency in commercial breeding facilities.
It doesn't mean that if a cockbird has 10 hens that he won't abuse or over mate them.
Many breeders keep pairs, trios, quads, etc
It all depends on the temperaments of the cock and hens and sometimes housing provided.
Backyard flocks can achieve good fertility with a larger ratio.

 

[amyquinn8625]

Could also be that your hens just have brittle feathers that are easily broken.
....or they are the favorites of your possibly over zealous male.
How old are these birds?

The 'rooster' to hen ratio of 1:10 that is often cited is primarily for fertility efficiency in commercial breeding facilities.
It doesn't mean that if a cockbird has 10 hens that he won't abuse or over mate them.
Many breeders keep pairs, trios, quads, etc
It all depends on the temperaments of the cock and hens and sometimes housing provided.
Backyard flocks can achieve good fertility with a larger ratio.

The hens are 2yrs old and the rooster is a year old.

 

[adstowe]

A one year old going into spring is probably over mating his "favorites"