Hen injured by Rooster mounting? What to do?

[laurelsh]

A few months back a hen had injuries to both her flanks, got lethargic and died, despite BluKote & on Antibiotics. At first I thought she got attacked by something wild, but it didn't make sense as they all get locked up at night. Then I saw that her injuries were where the rooster holds on during mounting.

Now another hen has the same injury! I'm putting her on antibiotics and spray the area with BluKote, but she is also very lethargic.

Do I need to get rid of this rooster? I do like him, so if it's not his fault, I'd rather not. I don't want any more injured hens! Has anyone seen this before?

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Quote:
Have you trimmed his nails up? and tried separating him from the hens?

Keep him, but only put him in the pens for a few hours each afternoon for breeding purposes. He doesn't need to be in there terrozing them 24/7.

 

[laurelsh]

No, I have not tried trimming his nails. How do you do that? I've never needed to do that before with other roosters over the six years of having chickens.

I don't have room to keep him and have to also keep him separated.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

You can trim his nails by using a pet nail clipper. Watch for the blood line in the middle and clip above it. I would also trim his spurs-I use a dremmel tool to cut them off. Do a search and you will find otherways.

 

[laurelsh]

Thanks for your help! I'll check into the nail & spur trimming, but do you think this would COMPLETELY fix the situation so that he doesn't injure hens anymore?

 

[redoak]

You also could try a chicken saddle.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Quote:
Maybe... Maybe not. Its certainly can't hurt.

He may just be an aggressive rooster. I've got a very aggressive rooster that is a good breeding bird, but I have to keep him separated from my hens. I only allow him a few hours with the hens each day, otherwise I'm afraid he'll injure them.

Needless to say, he lives in his own littel "bachelor pad" which is nothing more than a wire bottom converted rabbit hutch.

 

[laurelsh]

I don't think he's really aggressive. He's been very nice to the hens on the whole, it seems like maybe an anatomical problem?

 

[ivan3]

We had to put two stitches in a flank of one of our GSL pullets because of this. Our roo now has spurs that are just about three inches long but both have had tips completly rounded off with emery boards (pretty much flat). No injuries after we started doing this regularly.

 

[laurelsh]

It's comforting to hear that this has happened to others. I'm encouraged as I really do like this roo!
Have to trim him up...