Rooster behavior

[bcjlemaire]

I know this is a common thing for roosters to chew or bite off feathers or their Combs on hens, but besides separating the rooster from the hens, is there anything else you can do to prevent the rooster from doing this to our hens?

 

[sylviethecochin]

Are you sure that the roo is the problem? They look like they're molting to me.

 

[junebuggena]

That hen is molting. It's not the rooster's fault. It's normal for this time of year.

 

[bcjlemaire]

So chickens molt this time of year? We are obviously new at this . We started our chickens back in March or April. And learning as we go along. I appreciate everyone's feedback.

 

[Chickassan]

Yes indeed, birds molt every 18 months roughly mini molts can happen as often as every six months and it usually coincides with the changing seasons.

So chickens molt this time of year? We are obviously new at this . We started our chickens back in March or April. And learning as we go along. I appreciate everyone's feedback.

Poor roo getting blamed for something he wasn't doing lol!

 

[sylviethecochin]

In PA, mine molted a few weeks ago. It generally happens in late autumn/early spring.

 

[bcjlemaire]

Yes indeed, birds molt every 18 months roughly mini molts can happen as often as every six months and it usually coincides with the changing seasons.

Poor roo getting blamed for something he wasn't doing lol!

Yes indeed, birds molt every 18 months roughly mini molts can happen as often as every six months and it usually coincides with the changing seasons.

Poor roo getting blamed for something he wasn't doing lol!

Well, you learn something new every day. Thanks

 

[bcjlemaire]

But, DO roosters get aggressive that way ?

 

[sylviethecochin]

But, DO roosters get aggressive that way ?

Roosters occasionally scalp crested birds (silkies have very delicate heads) and there has been more than one injury on this site when a rooster has dug his spurs into the hen's back or under her wing. That said, I have never had any trouble of that sort. Hens are far more likely to pick on other hens than roosters are.

 

[junebuggena]

But, DO roosters get aggressive that way ?

Roosters generally don't harm hens, though the mating process can look pretty rough.