Help, bald patch on my chickens back

[Lou Stevens]

Hi everyone,
I have a lovely Australope hen who appears to have developed a bald patch on her back (please see pics) within the last week or so. She is a lovely girl, very quite and simple BUT after doing some research I'm thinking my rooster, Emmett is the culprit. He doesn't appear to be doing it much with my other girls and they don't have any feathers missing but I think Emmett picks on her a bit and tends to 'favour' her. After night inspection, I couldn't find any mites or parasites on her (or any of the others).

I have tried to watch him around her, and he doesn't seem to do it when I'm there....but I think he does it whilst I'm not there.

What's everybody's thoughts from looking at the pictures, does it look like rooster pecking/ mounting? I have purchased her a saddle to help heal her patch but if I find out it's Emmett....he'll have to go (won't tolerate my girls being picked on). She's a bit sore, red and swollen also that Benedine antiseptic lotion on her skin too hence the brown tinge on her skin.

 

[Pyxis]

Yep, looks like rooster damage. Since she's his favorite you might want to get her a hen saddle for protection.

 

[Lou Stevens]

Hummm thought so, yes I've purchased one online today

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Yep, looks like rooster damage. Since she's his favorite you might want to get her a hen saddle for protection.

X2

You may want to cage her in the run while her back is healing. This will give her a rest as well

Add some poultry vitamins to her water if you have them (once or twice a week) and offer some extra protein like egg, tuna, mackerel or meat.

Saddles work fairly well for protection, but her back needs to heal. Even after she heals, check under the saddle once a week to make sure there are any sores forming.

 

[Lou Stevens]

Great idea, I have some vitamins at home so I will give it to her (and the other girls) this weekend. I think I will 'remove' him....like permanently. I don't like to think what this could be doing to her mentally, and what if he starts on the others? also here in South Australia is gets bloody hot in summer and I don't feel right with the poor girl wearing a saddle on the hot days

 

[CleanEggs]

I have a lovely little hen who was ripped down to the bloody meat from a rooster. A large area too. Well, I was horrified. The feed store recommended Nu Stock. I slathered some on her rather thickly and let it dry. I added more in the coming days if raw spots showed through. I got rid of the rooster although he was magnificent to behold. My little hen is healed up perfectly. Hope this helps you. I am certainly grateful for the advice as it saved my girl.

 

[Lou Stevens]

Oh no, how horrible I would hate for that to happen to my sweet Rosaline. It's unfortunate I too will have to say 'goodbye' to Emmett but I can't have my innocent hen(s) suffer. Thank you for the advice

 

[CleanEggs]

I am sorry about Emmett. There are ways to reduce the spur, but I did not trust myself to the process. But you can find info on the site for trimming. Not sure if his spur is causing your damage, but my Sonny was leaving Dolly bleeding on the ground. Nu Stock cleaned, protected and closed that wound right up. Wish all three of you the best.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have a lovely little hen who was ripped down to the bloody meat from a rooster. A large area too. Well, I was horrified. The feed store recommended Nu Stock. I slathered some on her rather thickly and let it dry. I added more in the coming days if raw spots showed through. I got rid of the rooster although he was magnificent to behold. My little hen is healed up perfectly. Hope this helps you. I am certainly grateful for the advice as it saved my girl.

I've heard good things about Nu Stock. Good idea.

I've also used A+D ointment (usually found with the diaper rash ointments), it works well under hen saddles as well.