I have 15 hens and one rooster, They have plenty of food and water and food and "toys" .Some of the hens have pecked the feathers off of the rooster's head. I have tried pine tar, and a sour tasting stuff that was made to stop kids from sucking their thumbs and now blackjack with jalepeno and have separated him for a week but when he is back they start in again.They are still pecking. What else can I try?
Do you let them outside to free range? Usually they are too busy scratching around to pick on each other. I have hawks around, and just saw one today harassing the chickens, but my chickens wouldn't be happy not getting out, so I take the chance. If your coop and run is big enough, I would cage him with food and water until his feathers have grown back in. My Polish chicken has had that happen a couple of times.
The rooster is a crested polish and they have a secured pen 25 by 16 with roost and a coop that is 10 by 12. hope that the tar and hot spice works good today anyway
