HELP!!! Bloody backs!

[SpringChickens]

Hi,

I have 8 week old chickens (8 Australorp roos, 11 EE hens), and they were all doing great yesterday. I held a number of them for 5-10 minutes, no problems. Today, probably 6 or 7 of my EE hens have VERY bloody backs...

I'm smart enough to realize that it's probably from the roos mounting the hens, because it's only the girls who have the bloody backs. But I didn't think roos had ANY interest in mounting a hen at 8 weeks old? Should I separate them?

Even if I separate them, how do I get the hens from picking on each other? Any ideas?

Thanks!!

 

[joanc]

You could try little saddles to hide and protect their backs. At 8 weeks I would keep them separated from the roos if you can, they're still pretty young.

I use Bluekote on the wounded areas to keep the others from picking. It works pretty good and helps them heal up.

Good luck.

 

[SpringChickens]

The roos are 8 weeks also... didn't think they would have raging hormones yet. Bluekote's a great idea. I think I have some, will try to spray some on right now.