New to the chicken farming and I need help with Roosters?

[RaDean]

We started out with 6 chicks. One was attacked by a dog and two other ones just died and they have a lot of there feathers pecked out. The three that lived all turned out to be Roosters. I traded one Rooster for a hen, So now I have only two Roosters.

Every morning when I go out to feed my small rooster attackes my hen he pulls her tail feathers out. Can anyone tell me why he is doing that?

Does anyone know if roosters will kill hens at a younger age? I just can't figure out why my other two chickens died, they were only about 4 months old.


To all who can help.... Thank You!

RaDean

 

[mmaddie's mom]

Your best bet would be to have only one roo (pick the one that you like the personality best) and 6-10 more hens.

Sorry I can't tell you why your birds just up and died.

Good luck.

... and

 

[AKsmama]

Like maddiesmom said, you need several more hens to divide his attention, so to speak. The general rule is 8-10 hens per rooster. Otherwise he is just going to pick on her until he severely hurts her. That's no way for your hen to live. As far as why he's doing it- well, that's what roosters do. They breed and protect the flock, but in your rooster's case, he doesn't have much of a flock to do either one with. Either get rid of the roosters or add more hens.

 

[Mahonri]

One roo for every 10 hens.

... or no roo at all unless you want babies or you need a roo for flock protection...

 

[ranchhand]

How old are these birds?

What are you feeding them and how much? Sometimes feather picking is due to low protein levels or not enough feed. Overcrowding can also cause it.

Yes, you need about 10 hens per roosters and young roosters are quite rude at times! Most get over it as they mature.

 

[sourland]

If you are limited in the number of chickens that you can keep, keep only hens. Two roosters and one hen will never work. It's unfair to the hen, and the roosters may injure or kill her or one another. One rooster to 10 hens or all hens will work best.