Rooster is henpecked

[laurhadams]

So my flock is less than a year old. I've got 7 hens and 1 rooster (4 barred rock hens and 3 American Bresse hens and 1 American Bresse rooster). A few months ago, I was tending to my coop and noticed my roosters tail feathers were plucked so bad he was bleeding. I wasn't entirely sure what happened at the time, but I suspected the girls were plucking his tail feathers. I immediately put him in isolation and disinfected/sanitized his hind end so he could heal and his tail feathers could grow back. As I did my research, I learned there could be several issues. Lack of sufficient protein, lack of sufficient calcium, boredom, or lack of sufficient space. So I have fixed all of these problems. High protein feed, extra oyster shells/crushed egg shells, toys/enrichment, and doubled my run and coop space. I have tried several times to reintegrate him into the flock, and every single time, they'll start at his tail. I figured maybe it was because his tail feathers weren't completely back in and he looked different. So I waited. While I waited, the hens don't bother the each other and don't pluck their feathers. Just my roosters. I have just recently put him back into the coop with the girls, and I even added no pick'n spray for him to deter the cannibalism/plucking. I've been applying this to his tail feathers 2-3 times a day. Worked at first, now.... they plucked some big tail feathers and got him bleeding again. So I've once again taken him out of the flock, isolated him, cleaned and disinfected/sanitized his hind end. At this point, I'm not really sure what to do. I feel so bad for him. I don't necessarily feel this is a feather plucker issue, because I feel as if it was, I would be having this issue with all the hens as well. Any advice would be great at this point. I'm beside myself trying to figure this out...

 

[BoundlessLove]

How big is their coop area and run area? Do you have clutter in your coop/run?
Do they free range?

 

[laurhadams]

How big is their coop area and run area? Do you have clutter in your coop/run?
Do they free range?

Coop area is about 40sqft and run is about 90sqft. I have rooster bars on the side, and my feeder and waterer are hanging. Not allowed to free range in my county.

 

[BoundlessLove]

What is your reason/s for keeping a rooster? Do you plan to hatch or incubate?
Since they do not free range, he won’t be needed as a protector.

If him being in the coop with the hens is continuously causing a problem, then you may need to rehome him.
Another more experienced BYC member, Mrs. K, has given wise advice about chicken keeping.
She suggests above all, Aim for peace in the flock.

 

[laurhadams]

What is your reason/s for keeping a rooster? Do you plan to hatch or incubate?
Since they do not free range, he won’t be needed as a protector.

If him being in the coop with the hens is continuously causing a problem, then you may need to rehome him.
Another more experienced BYC member, Mrs. K, has given wise advice about chicken keeping.
She suggests above all, Aim for peace in the flock.

He was an accident. Was supposed to have had all hens. Don't wanna hatch, just wanted eggs.

 

[BoundlessLove]

He was an accident. Was supposed to have had all hens. Don't wanna hatch, just wanted eggs.

Oh, okay. Unfortunately, this happens a lot.
My advice is to rehome him.

If you choose to rehome, BYC has a thread for rehoming and also state threads for your state to also post.
Rehoming thread here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/animals-in-need-of-free-re-homing.16182/

 

[BoundlessLove]

Also, Welcome to Backyard Chickens!
We are happy to have you here.

 

[laurhadams]

Oh, okay. Unfortunately, this happens a lot.
My advice is to rehome him.

If you choose to rehome, BYC has a thread for rehoming and also state threads for your state to also post.
Rehoming thread here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/animals-in-need-of-free-re-homing.16182/

Any advice to help with the problem other than to rehome? I've tried rehoming local but can't get any takers...

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So my flock is less than a year old. I've got 7 hens and 1 rooster (4 barred rock hens and 3 American Bresse hens and 1 American Bresse rooster). A few months ago, I was tending to my coop and noticed my roosters tail feathers were plucked so bad he was bleeding. I wasn't entirely sure what happened at the time, but I suspected the girls were plucking his tail feathers. I immediately put him in isolation and disinfected/sanitized his hind end so he could heal and his tail feathers could grow back. As I did my research, I learned there could be several issues. Lack of sufficient protein, lack of sufficient calcium, boredom, or lack of sufficient space. So I have fixed all of these problems. High protein feed, extra oyster shells/crushed egg shells, toys/enrichment, and doubled my run and coop space. I have tried several times to reintegrate him into the flock, and every single time, they'll start at his tail. I figured maybe it was because his tail feathers weren't completely back in and he looked different. So I waited. While I waited, the hens don't bother the each other and don't pluck their feathers. Just my roosters. I have just recently put him back into the coop with the girls, and I even added no pick'n spray for him to deter the cannibalism/plucking. I've been applying this to his tail feathers 2-3 times a day. Worked at first, now.... they plucked some big tail feathers and got him bleeding again. So I've once again taken him out of the flock, isolated him, cleaned and disinfected/sanitized his hind end. At this point, I'm not really sure what to do. I feel so bad for him. I don't necessarily feel this is a feather plucker issue, because I feel as if it was, I would be having this issue with all the hens as well. Any advice would be great at this point. I'm beside myself trying to figure this out...

I've got 7 hens and 1 rooster (4 barred rock hens and 3 American Bresse hens and 1 American Bresse rooster).

Do you have any photos of your flock, the rooster and your setup?

The hens have learned that if they pluck his tail feathers out, this will produce blood, it's a bad habit and sometimes cannot be broken.

Pinless Peepers on the hens will help keep them from plucking, that is probably the best solution I can think of without you having to keep him separated or rehome him.