Hen Limping After Possible Over-Mating — Need Care Advice

[Beau plus penny]

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some advice.


I have a flock of 13 hens with 1 rooster (Jack). He’s a good rooster overall, but I’ve noticed some of my hens are starting to look a bit over-mated. I suspect he may be too rough or is favoring certain hens. I am planning to increase the flock in 2026, but if the higher hen ratio doesn’t solve the issue, I may need to re-home him.


Today I isolated my Rhode Island Red hen because she started limping and is laying down a lot. I’m guessing she may have strained or injured her leg/hip while being mated. There’s no visible wound, and she can move the leg, but she prefers not to put weight on it.


She’s currently in a quiet pen with soft bedding, feed, and water.


My Questions:

• Is there anything more I can do to help her heal?
• How long should I keep her separated?
• Would a chicken saddle or trimming Jack’s spurs help reduce future injuries?
• Has anyone had a rooster who over-mates even with 10+ hens — and did adding more hens actually help?

Any advice is appreciated. I just want to make sure she gets the care she needs and that the rest of the flock stays safe.


Thank you!

 

[50-45-1]

Check her over for injuries.
Does your rooster have spurs?
I have had hens injured by spurs in their sides. Also I had one with a broken leg once. Not sure how she got it though.
I just separated her to a hutch for a few weeks and she slowly began to walk normally.

 

[Beau plus penny]

Check her over for injuries.
Does your rooster have spurs?
I have had hens injured by spurs in their sides. Also I had one with a broken leg once. Not sure how she got it though.
I just separated her to a hutch for a few weeks and she slowly began to walk normally.

he has spurs but they are small

 

[Eggcessive]

His spurs are small. If he gets sharp ones later you may want to trim them slightly and file them down to prevent slice injuries under the hen’s wings. Those can be very deep and bad. Young roosters can overmate hens. The more docile ones may have more feather loss. You could separate the rooster for part of each day, or for some time to let her heal. Hen saddles are helpful when there is feather loss. I made some one piece ones that required no sewing, and all held on by the wings, and polar fleece worked well. If you don’t separate, keep your pullet in a wire dog crate with food and water near the others for a few days, and having low roosts can be helpful.