polish roo.. getting hen pecked.. litterally

[shadowpaints]

i have a 6 month old polis roo that is in with 23 hens.. the hens are picking his head bloody! accckkk! they quit for a few weeks but have started again *sigh* they are in a large coop (20X30) with a 30 ft long run that is 10 feet wide.. they get free choice feed (layer) and occaisonal snacks... they are all healthy and fat . what can i put on his head to discurage them from pecking his poor head??

 

[Ms~Silkie~Girl]

You should probably separate him for a while. My hens pecked all the tail feathers out of my roo, and they wont stop no matter what, it has gotten to the point where they almost killed him, and he stays in his own kennel, and free ranges during the day while the girls are in the pen. I hope it doesn't get to that point with your chickens, its a pain for him to have to be stuck in a dog kennel. But when they are out on all the grass free ranging they dont bug him at all they just eat so maybe let them free range if possible

 

[joedie]

My pullets killed one of my Polish by picking at her head. Then they started on the other one. I either put Blu-kote or Betadine spray on her pretty head feathers. Its either purple or brown. Looks kind of funky but I haven't had any further trouble since. They don't like the taste and wipe their mouths on the gound if they try to peck it. I usually spray her every 2-3 weeks or they start up again. I guess they are attracted to the pretty hairdo.

 

[Pampered Chicken]

I just had to seperate my polish roo today for that same reason. They don't seem to bother the Polish pullet. Just him. Poor guy. I've tried the blue-kote last night and they picked him more today. He was just starting to get his feathers back. Not sure what else to do.

 

[shadowpaints]

i will try the blu kote but have wait till tomorrow to get more.. my last can seems to have dissapeared.. i have regular iodine.. would that work or no?