Hen's raw backs from roosters

[GreenMtnVT]

Does anyone have this problem and found a solution? The roosters are on them so often, their backs are almost bald.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Remove the roosters, especially if you have too many.

 

[Pgrine]

I removed my roosters because of this. I only kept one rooster in with 20 hens. It seems to me the roosters that where more likely to tear at the feathers where the ones low on the totem pole. The hens didn't want them to mate with them so the roos needed to hold on tighter, and or get done quicker before the dominant roo came on the attack.

 

[GreenMtnVT]

Remove the roosters, especially if you have too many

Yea, we definitely have too many, especially since the hawk has taken 10+ of only hens, but don't you want 1 rooster per every 10 hens for protection and other 'benefits'? We have 4 roosters on craigslist right now, but it seems almost impossible to even give them away

 

[GreenMtnVT]

I removed my roosters because of this. I only kept one rooster in with 20 hens. It seems to me the roosters that where more likely to tear at the feathers where the ones low on the totem pole. The hens didn't want them to mate with them so the roos needed to hold on tighter, and or get done quicker before the dominant roo came on the attack.

I LOVE the idea or removing every rooster Haha oh God yes! but we keep them around because we read they serve a purpose in protecting the hens from predators. I think right now, the ratio is probably 50/50 since so many of the hens have been picked off by the hawk. We're trying to unload some on craigslist, but nobody seems interested

 

[21hens-incharge]

Make an emergency pen and pen all the males up while waiting on responders to your ad.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Yea, we definitely have too many, especially since the hawk has taken 10+ of only hens, but don't you want 1 rooster per every 10 hens for protection and other 'benefits'? We have 4 roosters on craigslist right now, but it seems almost impossible to even give them away

Your roosters didn't help you with predators. Technically a rooster should rush out and get taken instead of the hen, but that doesn't always work out. I personally prefer 1 rooster for 15 hens at least unless you are needing good reproduction.

You can rotate who's out. Too many roosters stress out the hens and makes their lives miserable. We butcher extras here. There isn't enough homes for all the roosters.

 

[Pgrine]

I LOVE the idea or removing every rooster Haha oh God yes! but we keep them around because we read they serve a purpose in protecting the hens from predators. I think right now, the ratio is probably 50/50 since so many of the hens have been picked off by the hawk. We're trying to unload some on craigslist, but nobody seems interested

Roosters make awesome tasting chicken sandwiches!!! I'm surprised people aren't taking them

 

[Imagine27]

My enormous rooster will come and gently place his head on my shoulder when I sit down outside. All of the others will jump into my lap, sit down, and look up at me all adoringly. Exactly as any cat or small dog would do.. How do people have make the distinction between which "pet" to eat if you care for all of them personally? And they Trust and depend on their caregiver to keep them safe and Alive? Seriously, because I have 6, 3 month old roosters that are already fighting and harming one another. They follow me and my daughter around like baby ducklings until they go back to their cage at night. Aren't they full of testosterone? I'm already not happy about growing new hair in places it doesn't belong. Oh, is this why they use hormones? I never liked birds, period until I had to start assisting my disabled mother with her flock. I was a cat person.

 

[Krugerrand]

My enormous rooster will come and gently place his head on my shoulder when I sit down outside. All of the others will jump into my lap, sit down, and look up at me all adoringly. Exactly as any cat or small dog would do.. How do people have make the distinction between which "pet" to eat if you care for all of them personally? And they Trust and depend on their caregiver to keep them safe and Alive? Seriously, because I have 6, 3 month old roosters that are already fighting and harming one another. They follow me and my daughter around like baby ducklings until they go back to their cage at night. Aren't they full of testosterone? I'm already not happy about growing new hair in places it doesn't belong. Oh, is this why they use hormones? I never liked birds, period until I had to start assisting my disabled mother with her flock. I was a cat person.

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