Housing Roosters and Hens

[Haljov2]

I have six pet chickens that are almost a year old. I bought them as chicks last year. I ended up with three roosters and three hens. They have always been housed together without any problems. Recently I have noticed that two of the hens are loosing feathers on their backs. After doing some research online, I learned that they they are probably over mating. These are the first chickens that I ever owned and i did not know that this could happen. We are in the process of building a new coop for the roosters and I got saddles for the hens. If I house them separately, can they still interact in the yard or do I have to keep them completely separated?

 

[OrganicFarmWife]

The roosters will mate with them in the yard, and may start fighting among themselves. You would be better to keep them seperate. But the saddles will help.

 

[aart]

Duplicate thread here https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1090416/housing-roosters-and-hens