Hen passing on, need help

[Mirrium]

It is good that you already separated two of them, but leaving two with the remaining six hens will still have them competing which leads to mating contests and injuries.

I would suggest to keep the rooster your hens like best and who is respectful with humans, to avoid possible future agression issues.

I might try to see if I can put the 6 hens with 1 rooster and house the other roosters separately, instead of two lots of 3-1 if that'll work for the time being. Also I managed to picture the roosters spikes if that's any help still. The 1st and 2nd are the ones who currently have hens and the hen who died was in the coop with the 1st at the time of her passing, I don't know if that means anything since someone previously said the injury would've likely occurred earlier based on the smell

 

[LaFleche]

Have you decided yet which one of the roosters you want to keep?

The 1st and 2nd are the ones who currently have hens and the hen who died was in the coop with the 1st at the time of her passing

The first does have rather long and very pointy spurs, I would suggest to at least trim the tips and file them round if he is going to be the one to stay.

The one in your third picture needs some serious rooster pedicure as well, of course only if you would want to keep him.

Until you make up your mind, just trim the tips of all the males and file them round to prevent further injuries.

someone previously said the injury would've likely occurred earlier based on the smell

Well, if the intestines were punctured/ripped by large and pointy spurs as in picture one, the fecal matter would seep into the body cavity and infection would start almost immediately and cause a nasty smell within a short time.

 

[Mirrium]

Have you decided yet which one of the roosters you want to keep?


The first does have rather long and very pointy spurs, I would suggest to at least trim the tips and file them round if he is going to be the one to stay.

The one in your third picture needs some serious rooster pedicure as well, of course only if you would want to keep him.

Until you make up your mind, just trim the tips of all the males and file them round to prevent further injuries.

Well, if the intestines were punctured/ripped by large and pointy spurs as in picture one, the fecal matter would seep into the body cavity and infection would start almost immediately and cause a nasty smell within a short time.

I see, definitely possible then I'll look into sorting them out! Thank you so much for the help!

 

[LaFleche]

I see, definitely possible then I'll look into sorting them out! Thank you so much for the help!

To work on their spurs it is best to grab them from the roost in the dark and wrap them in a towel like a burrito, so only the feet/legs will stick out. With the head covered there will not be much resistance.

Then one person holds the rooster while the other is trimming and filing away.

Let us know how it works for you and which of the four will be the lucky one to stay.

 

[Mirrium]

To work on their spurs it is best to grab them from the roost in the dark and wrap them in a towel like a burrito, so only the feet/legs will stick out. With the head covered there will not be much resistance.

Then one person holds the rooster while the other is trimming and filing away.

Let us know how it works for you and which of the four will be the lucky one to stay.

I will do that tonight if I have time/assistance. But, as for which one stays in I'm honestly up to suggestions I was just gonna trade out the male each day to see how they do for the time being

 

[redinator]

I will do that tonight if I have time/assistance. But, as for which one stays in I'm honestly up to suggestions I was just gonna trade out the male each day to see how they do for the time being

Sorry to hear about your broody. I'm in a similar situation with having a few birds to get myself started. I currently have 5, 6-week old chicks, two of which I'm sure are males due to their large combs and wattles already.

Since I hatched so few (5/12) my plan, as they mature, is to put one male in with the hens at a time to hopefully get chicks from each male, then send the worst behaved male(s) on their way.

 

[Mirrium]

Sorry to hear about your broody. I'm in a similar situation with having a few birds to get myself started. I currently have 5, 6-week old chicks, two of which I'm sure are males due to their large combs and wattles already.

Since I hatched so few (5/12) my plan, as they mature, is to put one male in with the hens at a time to hopefully get chicks from each male, then send the worst behaved male(s) on their way.

Yeah that's exactly what I'm thinking or hoping that my pullets will grow quick enough to be able to put them in before we have to get rid of more

 

[redinator]

Yeah that's exactly what I'm thinking or hoping that my pullets will grow quick enough to be able to put them in before we have to get rid of more

Even though I was initially upset that more didn't hatch, it's actually worked out better. It's given me time to set up a small space for them and figure out a good plan going forward. I honestly don't know what I would've done with 12 chicks since this batch turned out a bit wild.

I was worried about overhandling them after they hatched so only one actually likes me. The rest only check to see if I'm bringing treats, then go on with their day like I don't exist, lol. Trying to catch them in their 9x18 run is a bit comical.

 

[Mirrium]

Even though I was initially upset that more didn't hatch, it's actually worked out better. It's given me time to set up a small space for them and figure out a good plan going forward. I honestly don't know what I would've done with 12 chicks since this batch turned out a bit wild.

I was worried about overhandling them after they hatched so only one actually likes me. The rest only check to see if I'm bringing treats, then go on with their day like I don't exist, lol. Trying to catch them in their 9x18 run is a bit comical.

Mine are the exact opposite, the second I sit down they perch on my arms like I'm a Disney Princess or something lol. They even use my phone as a perch (like right now) when I'm typing messages or recording videos lol

 

[redinator]

Mine are the exact opposite, the second I sit down they perch on my arms like I'm a Disney Princess or something lol. They even use my phone as a perch (like right now) when I'm typing messages or recording videos lol

I need to get some bird taming tips from you then, lol