lynempey
In the Brooder
- Jul 6, 2016
- 2
- 2
- 32
First time on the forum but I need some advice! I have 6 hens, all different breeds but all cold hardy good egg layers that are 3 years old. I raised them from chicks, and initially did not have a rooster as we lived in town. Last year, we moved out into the country, and we obtained a rooster for protection. He was probably 6-9 months old when we got him. He won't come up to me and eat out of my hand like my hens will, but he is not aggressive towards humans or our dogs. However, he is extremely hard on 2 of my hens. They have bare backs, red skin and sores. I bought a saddle for my Cuckoo Maran as she was also picking at herself and making it worse. I have a saddle coming for my Light Brahma who I noticed had a wound near her left wing. I sprayed her with blue kote and it looks better. I find her and the Buff Orphington roosting in the coop during the day, and I think they are trying to avoid the rooster. We have a large fenced in area for them to roam during the day, and they are eating and seem fine. I have 2 or 3 hens that have no feather damage, and I don't see him breeding them hardly at all, so I think he focuses more on the other hens. I don't let them free range, but I could. I would prefer not to free range as I have a new puppy who likes to chase them.
So I realize all of this is normal, but with the fall molt and winter right around the corner in WI, I am worried about the feather loss. The saddle on my Maran helps, but I don't think it is enough. I don't have a great place to separate the rooster as I only have the one coop. Any ideas? I am getting close to getting rid of the rooster as my hens seemed happier without him. I will try to find him a home, but I am not sure I can. I have no interest in eating him, and have never killed a chicken myself. Ironically, I am a vet but I do dogs and cats not chickens. Will this behavior improve as he gets older and his hormones are more under control? Will free ranging help? Any suggestions? Help!!
So I realize all of this is normal, but with the fall molt and winter right around the corner in WI, I am worried about the feather loss. The saddle on my Maran helps, but I don't think it is enough. I don't have a great place to separate the rooster as I only have the one coop. Any ideas? I am getting close to getting rid of the rooster as my hens seemed happier without him. I will try to find him a home, but I am not sure I can. I have no interest in eating him, and have never killed a chicken myself. Ironically, I am a vet but I do dogs and cats not chickens. Will this behavior improve as he gets older and his hormones are more under control? Will free ranging help? Any suggestions? Help!!