Rooster Treading-Lacerations on Hen's Back

[Lady J]

Y'all, My rooster's claws are digging into the backs of two of my hens and causing deep lacerations. I have healed one of them more than once and just purchased a chicken saddle to try to help protect her. It was an epic fail. The fabric just flipped over and exposed her bare skin. I am tweaking the original design modeled after the medical masks many of us are wearing these days. It gives the saddle more stability in holding its shape and allows you to custom-fit it to conform around the tail and to the hen's back just like medical masks allow you to shape it around the bridge of your nose. I'll post pics of what I did. Fingers crossed that it works.

Any other ideas out there for this problem? I mean...this is injury...much more severe than just the loss of a few feathers on her back. A doctor friend (does not own chickens) was asking if it was possible to have him declawed like a cat or even having him neutered. Are these crazy ideas or is there some validity to them? I don't know. I am a relatively new chicken mom.

 

[dawg53]

That wound needs to be doctored up if you havnt already done so. Cleanse it with betadine and apply neosporin as necessary until healed.
You can buy "Peepers" and put them on your rooster.
https://www.amazon.com/chicken-peepers/s?k=chicken+peepers

 

[LaFleche]

Any other ideas out there for this problem? I mean...this is injury...much more severe than just the loss of a few feathers on her back. A doctor friend (does not own chickens) was asking if it was possible to have him declawed like a cat or even having him neutered. Are these crazy ideas or is there some validity to them?

I suggest a rooster pedicure on a regular basis. Clipping the tips of the claws and spurs and filing them nicely helps a lot to prevent these nasty injuries.

And maybe even separate the rooster until the hens are healed completely.

 

[Lady J]

That wound needs to be doctored up if you havnt already done so. Cleanse it with betadine and apply neosporin as necessary until healed.
You can buy "Peepers" and put them on your rooster.
https://www.amazon.com/chicken-peepers/s?k=chicken+peepers

Treatment of the wounds is under control. Thanks. This is the third time I am dealing with this injury on this hen.