hen keeps getting attacked

trunkman

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One of my white rock hens has bloody raw spots on her back just under the end of her wings, I think the roo's are attacking her, I also think she's at the bottom of the pecking order. I never wanted roo's in the first place but thought they would protect the flock, I'm thinking of getting rid of the roo's altogether, is this a good idea? I don't want fertile eggs or chicks, so If I get rid of Roo's will the hens be ok?
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Quote:
The hens will do just fine without roos, but they won't have the flock protector. It sounds like the roos are breeding her more than the others. How many roos and how many hens do you have together? A ratio of 10 hens to one roo is the recommended minimum.

Roosters will frequently pick a favorite hen for breeding, and she will lose the feathers on her back and sometimes the back of her head. Usually a chicken saddle will allow her feathers to grow back. Do a search top right for chicken saddles and you might be able to make or buy some.

On the other hand, she may be getting pecked by other hens while on the roost at night. In that case, separate her until the feathers grow back, or apply some Blu-Kote, available at feed stores, until she heals.
When she is healed, separate the most dominant hen for a few days- re-arranging the pecking order usually helps.

Also, I have good luck with selective rehoming of roos on the local Craig's List.
 
Quote:
The hens will do just fine without roos, but they won't have the flock protector. It sounds like the roos are breeding her more than the others. How many roos and how many hens do you have together? A ratio of 10 hens to one roo is the recommended minimum.

Roosters will frequently pick a favorite hen for breeding, and she will lose the feathers on her back and sometimes the back of her head. Usually a chicken saddle will allow her feathers to grow back. Do a search top right for chicken saddles and you might be able to make or buy some.

On the other hand, she may be getting pecked by other hens while on the roost at night. In that case, separate her until the feathers grow back, or apply some Blu-Kote, available at feed stores, until she heals.
When she is healed, separate the most dominant hen for a few days- re-arranging the pecking order usually helps.

Also, I have good luck with selective rehoming of roos on the local Craig's List.

That was what I was wondering,,,,,your roo to hen ratio? I've heard that you should have at minimum 10 hens for one roo. It does sound as if the other hens may be contributing some themselves. Did this ever happen before the roos came along?
 

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