Helping The Hens?

[Dedetiger]

Two of our hens, Pepper and Pip, are so ‘torn up’ from the boys mating too much with them. Now I know they can have favorites, but my mother doesn’t enjoy seeing the girls missing so many feathers on their backs, wings, and necks. I know the saddles exist, which would help with their backs, but is there a way to help with the damage to their wings and necks?

We do really love our boys, as they’re friendly and do their jobs well, and wouldn’t want to hurt them or rid of any more. Does anyone know any tips to help the girls out in getting they’re feathers back or prevent this from getting worse? (Unless there’s a way to stop those crazy roos for a little while)

 

[bobbi-j]

Tell us some more about your situation. How many chickens total? How many hens and roosters? How old is everyone? Do they free range? If they're in a coop/run situation, how much space in coop and in run (feet by feet)? If they're in a coop/run, are there places the hens can hide or get away from the roosters?

As far as the feathers growing back, I have read that they won't until the hens go through a molt.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Pen up the roosters separately to give your hens a break. Saddles come with their own problems like chafing, overheating of birds and they cannot properly preen or dust bath.

Hens will grow their feathers back in the fall. I've had bare backed hens. They do okay. You definitely want to do something if you are seeing ripped skin.

 

[Helloworld]

First sign of fuzzy feathers at base of tail and roo is separated. I have a set of 7 hens and a roo. He hits two the most and also my broody hens, go figure he knows who will make him a baby daddy lol. Well this roo kept at it before I could get to separation and the girls had a meeting and decided they would out him in his place. First, tail feathers...” how you like that boy? “ lol and then the rest of the time they started pecking at his comb. They let him have it. They have been separated two weeks and feathers are already regrowing. To me feathers are like plants. You can snip a piece and they grow faster. I have 7 varieties so we are thinking of building a rooster pad and once or twice a week letting them have their harems because one hit from a roo typically gives 6-7 days on a hen.

Ps. Go online and order Curad’s silver ointment for bald spots, wounds. It is the bomb especially since silver is used as a wound cleaner. Eats the bad stuff. Apply every 3 days until healed. Roos took 3 treatments and he was henpecked bad!

 

[aart]

and do their jobs well

Not if they are tearing up any hens.

Does anyone know any tips to help the girls out in getting they’re feathers back or prevent this from getting worse? (Unless there’s a way to stop those crazy roos for a little while)

Get rid of all but one male, that would probably help tremendously.

Tell us some more about your situation. How many chickens total? How many hens and roosters? How old is everyone? Do they free range? If they're in a coop/run situation, how much space in coop and in run (feet by feet)? If they're in a coop/run, are there places the hens can hide or get away from the roosters?

^^^Important questions!