Poor Debra - violent cock

[2 many chickens]

That rooster is too much for one to handle.
Get some more hens so that one bird wont be so hard on her.

 

[Krystalkate]

Your poor hen will continue to be torn apart. I have 5 hens to my roo and it’s not enough for him. He wore 3 of the hens bare on their backs and all 5 had wear on their shoulders. Finally his spur or claw cut one of my hens deep, requiring a vet visit and antibiotics. After that I did what I should have done a long time before that- separate them. Maybe when my roo is older he can be put back with them, or maybe I will get more hens. Learn from my mistake and don’t put your poor hen through the daily torture! The poster above offered 3 good solutions. Separation worked for me, my hens are MUCH happier.

I’ll look into I won’t re home then but I will probably get some more chickens I have three American ones offered to me today! Won’t ever be as cute as Debra but should take the heat off her a little

 

[Krystalkate]

Often times people do do a trio or a one on one, but it is only for a few days or maybe two weeks. They are wanting a specific breeding for sure. This way they can wait and then collect the eggs that they know were fertilized by this rooster.

It is not generally a year round, 365 days a year set up.

Mrs K

Oh ok. I feel so bad now other then her looking rough she is a happy little babes.

 

[Krystalkate]

My suggestion is to get more hens if you don’t want to retome your cockerel. I would separate them in the meantime....

Separate them! I have one coop! Seems I have a problem here. They sleep side by side every night he sleeps with her under his wing. I feel like they have come to just personalities. Getting more chickens! ASAP!

 

[aart]

Sometimes they can be kept in pairs, depends on the demeanor of birds in question.
Obviously this boy needs to be separated asap, a dog crate will do for now.
Adding more females might not solve the problem.

The feather loss could also be, in part, because of molting that a 2yo hen will go thru at this time of the year.

 

[chickens really]

That's great news that your getting more Hens. Just a side note. Roosters always have a couple of favourites. I have enough Hens for my one Rooster although he has bred one Hen bald. She submits the most. She is due to molt soon so I hope it helps with her feathers. I never concern myself with the feather loss as long as injuries are not happening. You can trim the Spurs off a bit on the Rooster too.

 

[leighks]

I’m not sure about the size of your coop, but to separate my roo I just put some chicken wire up to divide it. The chicken wire is only 4ft high but he hasn’t figured out he could fly over it if he really tried. I’m fortunate to have a big outbuilding as my coop, so everyone still has space even with it partitioned off. He sleeps alone now but right across from the hens, so after a few days of being salty he’s adjusted to it fine. And there was a huge change in my hens, they are so much more relaxed and interactive since they don’t have to worry about being jumped all the time. And as long as my roo can see the hens at all times, he’s content with the arrangement.

Previously I was where you were, having to make a hard decision about what to do with an overly amorous roo. Separating worked for me, since even if I added some hens he would still overmate his favorites. It’s not fair for the hens to be stressed out all day, every day, with no breaks. When my roo gets older (he’s a year old) I’m hoping his hormones slow down and maybe I can add him (and maybe several new hens) back into the flock.

Here’s what he did to my poor buff Orpington in the spring. She’s finally molting now, but the bare spots are from the roo- and before I discovered hen saddles. Maybe that’s an option for you to use while you are reconfiguring the flock.

 

[Krystalkate]

That's great news that your getting more Hens. Just a side note. Roosters always have a couple of favourites. I have enough Hens for my one Rooster although he has bred one Hen bald. She submits the most. She is due to molt soon so I hope it helps with her feathers. I never concern myself with the feather loss as long as injuries are not happening. You can trim the Spurs off a bit on the Rooster too.

Thanks! I’m actually picking up two chickens and two female ducks today! I got my insulation and plywood and waiting for heater online today. Grabbing some touch wall mounts that emit heat and new safe way for barns.

I know he’s moulting he has feathers everywhere. She doesn’t really.. but I am making her an apron to wear going to sew that up today, maybe make a couple for the new ones too. Hopefully they will all love each other lol

 

[Krystalkate]

I’m not sure about the size of your coop, but to separate my roo I just put some chicken wire up to divide it. The chicken wire is only 4ft high but he hasn’t figured out he could fly over it if he really tried. I’m fortunate to have a big outbuilding as my coop, so everyone still has space even with it partitioned off. He sleeps alone now but right across from the hens, so after a few days of being salty he’s adjusted to it fine. And there was a huge change in my hens, they are so much more relaxed and interactive since they don’t have to worry about being jumped all the time. And as long as my roo can see the hens at all times, he’s content with the arrangement.

Previously I was where you were, having to make a hard decision about what to do with an overly amorous roo. Separating worked for me, since even if I added some hens he would still overmate his favorites. It’s not fair for the hens to be stressed out all day, every day, with no breaks. When my roo gets older (he’s a year old) I’m hoping his hormones slow down and maybe I can add him (and maybe several new hens) back into the flock.

Here’s what he did to my poor buff Orpington in the spring. She’s finally molting now, but the bare spots are from the roo- and before I discovered hen saddles. Maybe that’s an option for you to use while you are reconfiguring the flock.
View attachment 1545701

My chicken isn’t that bad. But I found out about these aprons and I’m going to make some today!!!

 

[Chickassan]

I bet your little hen will be glad to see some more rooster distractions. Curious about the ducks. Did you just want a couple ducks or are you trying to soothe the rooster with confusion?

Thanks! I’m actually picking up two chickens and two female ducks today! I got my insulation and plywood and waiting for heater online today. Grabbing some touch wall mounts that emit heat and new safe way for barns.

I know he’s moulting he has feathers everywhere. She doesn’t really.. but I am making her an apron to wear going to sew that up today, maybe make a couple for the new ones too. Hopefully they will all love each other lol