Overmating injuries

[Martin0210]

Up until recently I had 5 hens and 1 rooster. Well we were new to chickens and now know our hen to rooster ratio is a problem. 4 of my 5 hens are pretty much bald on their backs. The other is not too bad but the others are losing feathers elsewhere..im thinking from stress of overmating. They are all still eating, laying, and overall acting normal. Once we realized we had an over mating issue we got some chicks and put saddles on my other girls. The saddles have not made a difference unfortunately. We recently added 3 more hens now that they are big enough for a total of 8. My other girls are still looking rough and I worry about their feathers not growing back before it starts getting cold. I do not want to separate just the 5 of them and then have him jumping the 3 young girls. I thought about separating him until they have healed and hoping him coming back to 8 hens will solve our issue. However, if he is separated from them he flips out. At one point we had him out of the run so we could get the saddles on the girls. He went crazy and ended up getting his leg caught and ripping off one of his spurs. I really dont want to get rid of him but I will if I absolutely have to. I can't have him hurting my girls. Im just looking for some advice on how to best handle this. Our hope is adding the 3 hens will ultimately solve the issue long term but in the short term I need them to be able to heal.

Thanks!

 

[dawg53]

You've taken the necessary steps to help prevent your hens from being over mated by your rooster.
Sometimes the saddles work and sometimes they dont especially if your rooster has a favorite hen or two.
You can use Pinless Peepers on your rooster, they work. Of course your option is to get rid of your rooster like you mentioned.
You can order Pinless Peepers on E-Bay or most hatcheries sell them as well. If you order Pinless Peepers, make sure you buy the pliers also. You'll need them to put the peepers on the rooster and/or remove them.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/262492919118?epid=839202289&hash=item3d1dcc154e:g:5YgAAOSwmtJXaYXo