Rooster w/ bloody feet

[michickenwrangler]

We just put our rooster in with the chicks today. My husband and I went out to eat and when we returned, I saw a few hens pecking at his feet and they were bloody.

I didn't have any ointment to put on them, but I caught him and wiped his feet clean with a soapy towel to get the blood off. He was fine for a bit until one persistent hen started picking at him again. They'll go down to roost soon and I was going to go to TSC first thing in the morning to get some Blu-Kote.

Any more advice?

BTW, he's a Cochin and his feet are missing from feathers from molting.

 

[purpletree23]

Poor roo. Separate him for tonight and when you go out in the morning make sure you get something to clean the wound with. Peroxide or diluted betadine. He should be kept separate for a few days. The hens will just pick off the scabs.

Hope he is better soon. Sometimes I wonder about those hens!

Take care

 

[michickenwrangler]

Thanks.

 

[hinkjc]

Does it appear they are breaking new feather quills or is there damage to the skin on the feet? Either way, he needs to be separated to heal up.

 

[jsimplytx125]

I had a roo who had the same thing happen. I would also coat his legs with petroleum jelly in case he contacted scaly leg mites. please keep him separated because some hens really love the taste of blood.

 

[michickenwrangler]

Quote:
He had some exposed leg because he lost his "feather boots" from molting. I'm not entirely sure what caused the initial injury, but I know the hens aren't making it easy for him to recover.