Plenty of hens...why the raw backs??

[tiffanya]

I have the exact same problem! 1 roo, 10 hens (all are just under a year old) and his favorites (all of the White Orpingtons) have bare backs. I've been watching to make sure its just loss of feathers and no cuts. So far so good in that department but they sure look pathetic. I have kept them all together so far as the hens don't seem too upset about the loss of feathers.

 

[IndigoJaguar]

Thank you so much, everyone! I'm with some of you on this....I don't want a rooster if I am going to separate them. I didn't get him for breeding, so I want to keep them together. Maybe I'll get a bantam roo. He shouldn't tear up their backs.

O...and my flock free ranges everyday, and still the same problem.
I'll be sure and watch their backs for cuts.

 

[AlbionWood]

I have one rooster (about 10 months old) and 26 hens, and several of them are barebacked. The numbers don't really tell the story. I sure hope he settles down with age, right now his adorable characteristics are just barely enough to keep him alive - wife thinks he looks delicious!