Roosters being too rough?

[4Cheeks]

I bought ten mixed chicks last April. I ended up with 2 beautiful and surprisingly calm roosters. I love them, but they are really rough with my hens. Three of them have lost most of their feathers on their backs and one in specific on her tail. I bought chicken saddles for them, but some of the chickens are, well, a little crazy when it goes on. I put them on one chicken at a time and for the first couple, it was fine, but this one in particular, it just was not going to happen. After an hour, she was still hysterical and I had to take it off to keep the others from getting hysterical as well.
Now my big problem is with the crazy one. I have been watching her and besides losing her back and tail feathers, her skin looks red and irritated. I am assuming it is also from the rooster(s). I live in the northeast and am unable to give her a nice bath or anything because of the cold temperature up here. Any ideas on how to help her out? I heard maybe I can trim the rooster's nails?
These are my first chickens....ever....so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

Are their spurs (the long stubs that only roosters have) long? Also you could put them in crates away from the hens. I've heard of hen saddles before, but I haven't used them, you could check that out too.

 

[4Cheeks]

Their spurs are short and rounded (no sharp point to them). I live in a small city, so I have one designated area for them all to go. Their coop and the backyard run are both of good size and gives them enough room, but I'm not sure I would feel comfortable putting the Roos in crates. It might sound stupid, but they "warn" the girls of any danger (ie. a cat walking by or stray dog). They are doing good, but I am still worried about my hens. I just don't want any of them to get an infection or any other issue.

 

[thaokou21]

if you dont cut it off. it will hurt the hen more. just use a little saw to saw it off. cut evenly striaght down. it will bleed and it may not, but if it do put some rubbing vicks on it. vicks will stop the blood from bleeding. and just wrap it up with something like a bandaid or I perfer duck tape (because they cant bite it off) around the spur. they wont get any infection from this.

 

[teutschb]

Take the roosters out of the pen with the hens. Put blue coat on the hens red spots.

 

[thaokou21]

Take the roosters out of the pen with the hens. Put blue coat on the hens red spots.

you mean blut kote. sparying blue or red kote is not gona stop the rooster from being rough with the hens when he wants to mate her. It might help heal the spot, but I only use blue and red kote for leg mites. Here are some picture I found that may help you out.

You could make your own or buy something like this.

This is how it is used

This hold it in place so that you could do it alot easyier with no help.

 

[thaokou21]

you mean blut kote. sparying blue or red kote is not gona stop the rooster from being rough with the hens when he wants to mate her. It might help heal the spot, but I only use blue and red kote for leg mites. Here are some picture I found that may help you out.

You could make your own or buy something like this.

This is how it is used

This hold it in place so that you could do it alot easyier with no help.

img didnt show up so i copy it into backyardchickens

<a href="https://www.backyardchickens.com/ga...ardchickens.com/7/77/773a7b75_0121.jpeg"><img src="https://www.backyardchickens.com/image/id/6523253/width/400/flags/LL"></a>


<a href="https://www.backyardchickens.com/ga...ardchickens.com/3/36/36b61630_0021.jpeg"><img src="https://www.backyardchickens.com/image/id/6523258/width/400/flags/LL"></a>


<a href="https://www.backyardchickens.com/ga...dchickens.com/4/4d/4d731c21_006-11.jpeg"><img src="https://www.backyardchickens.com/image/id/6523267/width/400/flags/LL"></a>


I do not take credit for this. This was from this guy ad below. contact at your own risk.

SPUR CUTTING gauge & saw kit<< trim that gamefowl or anything with a spur...$25.00 FREE SHIPPING in the USA only...i can ship internationally for an extra fee...you can pay with paypal or money order...email at [email protected]
the holes are 9/32"-11/32 "-3/8"-13/32"-7/16"-1/2" ...6 different sized holes...3/8" thick aluminum...New junior saw with 2 extra blades...saw is 9 1/2" long with 6" blade...2 stainless steel wood screws for attaching to a post,building,tree, anything...easy to use ,1 person can hold rooster with one hand & saw with the other...this kit works awesome...FREE SHIPPING....

 

[thaokou21]

lost mine mind for a bit.lol. I forgot how to load the picture correctly on this forum. Oh well, it will be up untill I get a respond from u or until next week, then I'm gona delete the pic.

 

[4Cheeks]

Thanks for the pics and the idea. I will probably have to remove the spurs as I live in a real picky town and to separate the roosters from the hens might cause an uproar. If you live in a small city you know what I mean. Thanks again!

 

[macdoogle2]

How many hens do you have? I've heard that each rooster needs 8-10 hens or he overmates them.