Hens missing feathers and developing open wounds on flanks under their wings

[KDG]

I have 4 hens (3 red sex links and 1 Dominique) and one Maran rooster. Got all 5 as pullets last June. They are kept in a coop that is attached to an exercise pen about 6 ft × 6ft. We live in Florida and our ground cover is mostly sand. Their home is under a large oak tree. I noticed one hen looking a little thin so I picked her up.and found that she has bald patches and scabs under both wings. The other 3 are the same, although the wounds are not as bad yet. My rooster is not missing a single feather. Their skin and the base of their feathers look healthy and clean everywhere else on their bodies. Could this be an ectoparasite or a fungus? Or could it be the rooster? He's a bit bossy but I haven't seen him behave badly with the hens.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi & welcome to BYC!

Having looked your pics I would be inclined to think this is damage from the roo mating them. As you seem to have one hen with more damage this is likely to be his favourite hen.

I would try to keep those wounds clean and put some antiseptic ointment on. Keeping infection at bay is a must. I would also be inclined to remove the roo or get the hens some saddles to limit further damage.

Also and I know it’s not always possible but more hens for him to mate would be beneficial so these ones don’t get over mated.

 

[happyhens1972]

x 2

 

[coach723]

X3 everything said, and check your roosters spurs. They can be trimmed and blunted to help prevent injury, they can be pretty sharp. A ratio of 10 to 1 is better when keeping a roo with your hens, but some are just rough.

 

[sourland]

Rooster damage for sure. You can trim his toenails and spurs and put 'hen saddles' on the hens, but some roosters are just too large and clumsy to be good flock masters. More hens and more space might help, but some roosters are just too rough. Watch your hens closely to assure that they do not get fly strike.

 

[KDG]

Thank you. Your replies and those of my family and friends with chicken experience are all unanimous. My rooster has got to be separated at least until my girls are healed and then maybe just short visits? I feel bad thinking of keeping him in isolation but I can't let my hens be hurt. He was a surprise. We thought we were getting all females! His spurs are dull but he is a huge boy. My poor girls!

 

[FlockParty]

I am going through this also, I have been taking advise from everyone here. Thank you all again so much. I just saw this and I'm at the point where I cleaned the wound last night and applied ointment.

My question is about how to properly clean. I used warm water and hydrogen peroxide for the initial cleaning, but the wound looked a few days old and it looks very similar to the photos you show. Dark and dirty even after the rinsing. How much cleaning to the area is too much? Am I supposed to clean ALL the dirt out? I feel so unqualified.