Hen killed over

[bobl]

I have (had) two hens my rooster will will not leave alone. He has ripped the feathers out of their backs and I could take it anymore so I separated the two from the other 6. They were doing good I was spraying then with bendex (I think thats what it's called and they seemed to be doing fine for about 4 days then one just died on her perch over night. She had 2 small cuts on her sides from him but didn't appear to be deep. Cold she have had an infection? I had to work late 2 days and didn't get to spray them could the infection have set in by then? This is the second one I've lost like this. She showed no signs of illness same with the other that passed as well.

 

[Silkiesarefluffydinos]

We're those the only cuts you found on her? She may have died because of stress or There could've been more cuts you didn't notice.. it may have been an infection, but I have never really seen infections in chickens... maybe others might be able to help a little more? I would suggest thoroughly examining your other hens that were attacked by the rooster and keep a really close watch on them.

 

[coach723]

The only info I can find on Bendex says it's for parasites/worms, not for wounds, I'm not familiar with it, so just what I found in a search. Since this is the second bird you have lost this way I would recommend that you have a necropsy done, either on the latest one you lost, or the next if there is another. Not knowing more about your birds, like age, were they laying, any crop or droppings abnormalities, etc, it's very hard to guess. If the hens were getting overbred, then separating the rooster is a good idea, to give them all a rest. He may just be a rough rooster. For any wounds I would recommend that you clean with chlorhexedine, or diluted betadine, or plain soap and water. And then you can apply plain neosporin ointment (no pain killer) or veterycin wound and skin care spray is also good to use. I would check over your remaining hens, especially under the wings, to make sure you haven't missed any injuries. I don't keep roosters that hurt hens, but that's your call.
Here are some resources for necropsy, and there is a good thread on here for how to package for shipping (refrigerate-don't freeze):https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf
http://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[lazy gardener]

If the roo is injuring your hens, it's time for him to take early retirement.

 

[bobl]

Thanks for the replies. They are about a year and a half rooster about 2 and a half. They were laying and showed no other signs of injury. Waddled were red and she was eatting and everything just fine. Only thing that changed is she didn't roost with the other one she slept on the 2×4 on the front of their laying house but was fine the next day then she went to sleep and killed over. She just fell forward and that was it dead the next day.