Over mating rooster - hens with bloody heads

[amscrib]

Ok, I've heard of folks trying to mitigate over mating roosters by using saddles on the hens, but I'm not sure what to do about missing feathers/bleeding at the back of the hens' heads. I have 1 rooster and 19 hens (soon to be 26 when I introduce my young pullets to the coop) and only 1 or 2 of the hens seems to be suffering. Does anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Free Feather]

Those hens are resisting his rule for some reason. Is he dancing for them? I have a Cochin bantam hen that hates all roosters and always puts up a fight no matter how gentlemanly they are, so she loses head feathers in the struggle. Separate the bloody hens for sure. When they heal, put them back in and watch to see why they are resisting him. Some hens are just like that.

 

[laceychicken]

I have resorted to using saddles on some of my hens to protect their backs from the rooster and from the other hens picking on them. The saddles have really helped. They are cute and protective. I think the most damage is caused by hens picking on other hens.

 

[amscrib]

My blue orpington doesn't seem to have any damage to her back feathers at all...really it's just the back of her head. He's pulled out a bunch of feathers and it's bloody. I've separated her (actually put her in with my young pullets) and she seems very relieved and grateful for a break.

I actually culled a barred rock rooster last year because of this same issue (with the same hen). I blamed him and thought he was just abusing his girls (there were a few others that were terrified of him). But now I'm wondering - how likely is it that it's the same hen that has rooster problems? Has anyone else successfully dealt with this?

 

[Free Feather]

She is probably just like my cochin and resists all boys.
If you are really concerned, separate her. She will probably never give in to them. Or just let it be. I never really "dealt" with it. She is too fast for them to catch her most of the time.

 

[amscrib]

The wound is really bad now. I've tried to keep her penned in with the younger pullets but she flies out. I think I'm going to have to set up a second coop for her this weekend. I suppose I can move her in there with a few of my "broody bitches" and solve a few problems at once!

 

[laceychicken]

By now you probably have separated her from the others. That is the best thing to do.
The saddles I recommended earlier are great to prevent further plucking of her own feathers
and others doing it. I had to set up a second coop for some girls that were being picked on.
I thought chickens were all the same and a piece of cake to raise.......never a dull moment.
but I love them.