Last fall we switched to the Dixie Rainbow's developed by S and G Poultry in Alabama. I've been very impressed with their growth and health. Unfortunately, however, they seem to have ?? thin skin ?? which allows for serious slash wounds on their backs from the rooster. I've kept a few old favorite hens, an Orpington, two Polish Top Hats and a Rhode Island mix and none of these birds even have a bare back, let alone wounds.
We've separated the rooster, nursed everyone back to health and feathers (14 hens total), then reintroduced the rooster this week, and within 3 days two of the Dixie hens have slash wounds again. Our goal was to breed for our own meat birds, and we will not be able to do this if we can't keep the roo with the hens.
Our birds free range during the day and go to a protected coop at night.
I've seen information for homemade denim back covers, but is this really a good idea? We live in Tennessee and it can really get warm in the summer months.
I've also seen information on removing the spurs. Because the male is only 7-8 months old his spurs are not very large at all, and I'm not sure that it's his spurs -vs- his nails.
He IS a big boy, we've not weighed him in 4 or 5 months when we were culling for size and conformation, but he weighted 8 pounds the last time he was weighed him. And he's not hurting the other breeds of hens, and he does mate with them.
I hope I've included enough information for you all to give me some sage advice! Thanks in advance,
Ann
We've separated the rooster, nursed everyone back to health and feathers (14 hens total), then reintroduced the rooster this week, and within 3 days two of the Dixie hens have slash wounds again. Our goal was to breed for our own meat birds, and we will not be able to do this if we can't keep the roo with the hens.
Our birds free range during the day and go to a protected coop at night.
I've seen information for homemade denim back covers, but is this really a good idea? We live in Tennessee and it can really get warm in the summer months.
I've also seen information on removing the spurs. Because the male is only 7-8 months old his spurs are not very large at all, and I'm not sure that it's his spurs -vs- his nails.
He IS a big boy, we've not weighed him in 4 or 5 months when we were culling for size and conformation, but he weighted 8 pounds the last time he was weighed him. And he's not hurting the other breeds of hens, and he does mate with them.
I hope I've included enough information for you all to give me some sage advice! Thanks in advance,
Ann
