Rooster Ware

[Kwehme09]

I have 11 hens and one rooster.

Two of my hens show a tremendous amount of ware from the rooster. Featherless backs, and missing feathers on the top of their winds and part of their tail. Kind of awful looking.

What strategies do people use? I like my rooster, but am wiling to consider culling him.

The chickens have plenty of space in their coop and run and free range often. I could isolate the hens to let it heal, but the same thing will probably keep happening. GIve the hens a saddle? Seem excessive and a little too "pet" like for me. Should I just let it be?

What do folks thing?

Thanks!

 

[dawg53]

Chicken saddles are your best bet, or get rid of your rooster.

 

[Michael Apple]

Feather loss on the back of chosen hens is common. So long as it doesn't get bloody or infected, things should be fine. Only once did I have a rooster that was so brutal, he had to be culled. I don't want a flock without rooster. The keel bone rubbing against the hens backs causes feather loss.It may help to keep the spurs short and rounded off at the tips. Same with the nails if they aren't worn down from scratching in the soil. Some breeds of roosters are just so darn large compared to the hens too.