Overbreeding Related Damage

[RoostyRoo]

Hi there

We ended up with 4 roosters and 26 hens. Terrible ratio. We were able to get more hens to make a much better hen:rooster ratio, but they won’t be out of quarantine for a bit. While we were looking for more hens, the roosters started overbreeding our flock pretty bad. We put vests on them as a temporary solution, but the vests seem to have ripped the feathers off of part of their wings.

We’ll hopefully be able to release our new hens from quarantine in about two weeks and the breeding pressure will let up. In the meantime, does anyone have any recommendations? The first picture shows the damage done by the Roos and you can see the wing damage also. The second picture shows the wing damage with the vest on.

We really don’t want to kill any roosters especially since we just bought all these extra hens so we could keep them. I would so appreciate any advice!

 

[WishingStar]

Lock up some of the roosters. I would also watch to see if any one rooster is the main culprit for aggressive breeding.

If you haven't already, trim their spurs so they're less likely to seriously injure any of your hens. I just trim similar to dog nails and watch for the quick. Others have recommended Dremels or files.

I actually have a very similar ratio, but my birds spread out over 2 acres daily. If any of the roosters are too rough with the ladies, they get locked up for a week or so. If they continue, I turn them into dinner.