My rooster is making my cochin bald

[Lisa202]

My cochin has a bald spot on her head (from the comb to above her eye) for the last 2 weeks or so and it's slowly getting bigger (it's about 1/2" x 1") I couldn't figure out why this was happening as I didn't see anyone pecking at her.

Well, this morning, there it was...the rooster was mating with her and instead of grabbing her on the back of the neck like he does with all the other chickens, he was grabbing her right where her bald spot is and on her comb. I guess b/c she is more squatty than the other chickens, his reach goes beyond the neck and that's where he ends up grabbing her.

I've seen the saddles, but is there anything I can do for her poor head?

 

[ranchhand]

Wow. Tough question. I would try some of the "no peck" type stuff. Most feed stores will have some brand or another. Blu-Kote might help, too. Can't see a hen wearing a hat for long.... but the image is funny!

 

[Autumnchicken]

My rooster was doing the same and nothing stopped him from hurting my girls and now he's in the stew pot!

 

[sourland]

Remove the rooster unless you want fertile eggs. Monitor closely to make sure that he does not start lacerating her neck with his beak.

 

[Alas]

I read that a hen can stay fertile for a week after mating. Maybe you can separate the roo and just let him in weekly for "conjugal visits".

 

[jennh]

Quote:
Would that work for my DH??

 

[sourland]

Even at this age,

this guy "just ain't gonna go there."