Help with Rooster Overmating One of the Hens

[Sarah3]

I have a flock of 19 chickens (17 hens and 2 roosters). The problem is that one of the roosters is over-mating with one of the hens. She is the hen who was top of the pecking order before we got roosters. Her back is getting very bare. I know part of the problem is that she is still resisting him, and I presume he is trying to make sure to establish dominance over her.

Should I just let it keep going and hope that she finally submits? I don't want to get rid of the roo; he is a good roo who protects the hens and calls them over for tasty treats. They have plenty of space to roam in a 25'X25' enclosure, but I don't currently have a way to separate her out from the rooster (in a few weeks once my new coop is built, I should be able to).

Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

 

[torilovessmiles]

You could get her a chicken saddle! It's a small piece of fabric with elastic "sleeves" that go around her wings to secure it to her back. A lot of people sell them, and if you know how to sew it'd probably be pretty easy to make one, too! Your rooster will still mate with her, but his spurs will not hurt her back. Good luck

 

[Sarah3]

Thanks for your response! I ordered a chicken saddle! Now I can no longer internally snicker when I see a dog wearing a sweater...

 

[torilovessmiles]

Thanks for your response! I ordered a chicken saddle! Now I can no longer internally snicker when I see a dog wearing a sweater...

Glad I could help!