I have 7 hens (assorted heavy breeds) and one accidental roo, all about 6 months old. He's quite a nice fellow -- lets the ladies eat first, eats gently from my hand -- BUT . . . two of the gals have little bald spots right behind their combs. I'm worried with the cold of winter coming on . . . should I send him to Soup Land? Or is a certain amount of "damage" normal? When he stands on the hens, he doesn't seem to do any damage at all with his claws, but he holds them by the back of the head and pulls back REALLY HARD (their necks look bent backwards). Normal or not? The last 2 hens just started laying this week, so perhaps the 5 who were submitting to him were not enough and got mated too often? Is there any chance 7 will be enough? I hate to cull him or give him away prematurely, but I also hate for my hens to get wounded. Help me decide!
All a part of normal rooster mating. Give him some time out away from the hens, he is just doing what they are suppose to do. I take my rooster out in the Summer to give the hens a break.
Sounds normal !! No need to make soup out of him, plus now that he has more ladys to pick from the others might get a break !!
