- Feb 14, 2009
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I have 10 hens and 1 rooster in a 8'x8' coop. Lately I have noticed that one of my hens has a bare spot down to her skin about the area of a tennis ball. I have read on these forums about covering her back with tape. I have also thought about seperating her but have nowhere I can put her. She seems to stay in one of the nesting boxes alot so I have put food in there for her and she is happily eating. Today when she did get down I saw my only rooster attempt to mount her so I suspect that it is him and not other hens pecking at her. I live in Georgia where the coldest it has been getting is 21 degrees at night. I put extra bedding in the nesting box to hopefully keep her warm. The only way that I can seperate her totally would be to put her in a dog crate in my garage. Th garage is warmer than the coop but I wonder what the isolation would do to her, also what the effects would be when I eventually return her to the flock. I don't want to get rid of the rooster unless I have to since he does seem to protect his hens and seems to take that seriously. If I do seperate her roughly what amount of time does it take for her feathers to grow back. My chickens are approaching 2 years old (in April) and this is the first time that that this has happended. I have seen bare spots in the past but not to this extent and also not in the winter. Thanks for any info! Tape or isolation???
Jon in Atlanta
Jon in Atlanta
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