Rooster(s) Hard on a hen(s)

[Mrs. K]

I really have never had regrowth until molt, but I have not ever done much about it. Usually, before molt the feathers are old, and they look worse and worse, then molt in which they look like they have some hideous disease, and then the winter, rooster sap sinks down and beautiful feathers come back!

 

[Mimi13]

”...rooster sap sinks down and beautiful feathers come back!”

You caught me off guard with that one. I’ve never heard it, but I think it’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

You caught me off guard with that one. I’ve never heard it, but I think it’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard.

X2

 

[FogHornLegHorn79]

Time to switch roosters. Get yourself a salmon faverolle rooster. Very chill. But then again perhaps there's an assumptive thought process going on here. What if the roosters don't like to give it rough but the hens like to get it rough. What is one to do then?

 

[gorhamg]

I have 2 separated flocks. One w/ 11 hens and a rooster and one with 5 hens and a rooster. Both flocks have a hen or two with bare meat/skin showing on their back from the rooster constantly mating them. My plan has always been to add the small flock to the large one, just haven't done it yet. That will give me 2 roosters to 15 hens (fox recently got one).

Anything I can do besides separate the rooster or hens to allow the hens to heal up?

 

[gorhamg]

I had hens with torn skin and limping badly. Spousal abuse I call it. The rooster is now isolated in his own smaller coop and run area adjacent to the hens. He has jumped the fence once. Hens are on lockdown due to persistent fox. Hens are recovering well, I am amazed at their healing ability. If rooster is not happy, he could think about the alternative. He is really beautiful.

 

[Vicker]

This is why I no longer keep roosters. I've tried saddles but that isn't a good long-term solution. I didn't like how saddles interfere with dust baths and air circulation. No matter how high the hen to rooster ratio, my roosters have always singled out 2-3 favorite hens and mounted them multiple times a day.

 

[LostKjun]

OK, I don't want to insult anyone here but are you trying to raise your own chicks? If not, why any roosters at all? I live in an urban/suburban setting and don't have chickens but I'm not allowed roosters if I do. BTW, I was raised on a farm and have two degrees in Ag. Just my thoughts.

 

[janiedoe]

@LostKjun
I'm not insulted, but I do enjoy my roosters just as much as my hens. They are funny and have a lot of personality just like the hens. I do hatch my own chicks. I don't live within 30 miles of any town or suburb & have no close neighbors.
That said, no one should keep a rooster that causes them, family members, or their hens stress.

 

[Mrs. K]

sap sinking is the opposite of the sap rising in the spring.