Roosters injuring the flock - Graphic pics!!

[sourland]

Getting rid of one rooster may very well solve your problems. Two or more roosters gang breeding hens can frequently cause such problems. I'm betting that damage is absolutely caused by such actions.

 

[AlabamaChickenLady]

Thank you everyone for such wonderful suggestions and support.

*** UPDATE***

Well last night we put the 2 offending roo's in a dog kennel (minus the dog of course) for the night until I could figure out what to do with them. It was an open top kennel and this morning, I only had one roo left. My Buff Orphington roo was gone with only feathers left behind to tell the tale. I'm guessing an owl? But anyway, the Barred Rock roo was pretty shaken up about the whole thing. I left him sit there and think about it for a few more hours and then I put him back into the run with the girls. He ran around and did a head count and looked everywhere for other roo's..... but alas he was the only roo there. He's on probation as of now. He seemed a little humbled by it all and he wanted to mate, but he didn't attack a single hen. I have a larger brooder that I could use if he steps out of line.... and I will use it if he does.

My injured Jersey Giant is recovering well inside the house. She is eating and drinking often. Her wound is scabed over already and I am hoping for the best. She stays quiet and calm most of the time. Well, except for when my 3 year old tries to sing to her. Then she kind of has this low growl that she does. I think it's cute, kinda sounds like she's singing with her. The kids are really worried about her, but I tell them that she will make a full recovery. I plan to keep her inside for a few more days to make sure she is healing well and to have her fit with a saddle/wing protecter to protect her wound. My saddles are a little big for her, so I'll probably have to either adjust one (wing straps are too long for her small wings) to fit her or sew a new one for her.

I really appreciate all the help and suggestions from everyone. This site is like a BYC family!!!

 

[Jferlisi]

Quote:
That sucks you lost one of the rooster but maybe it will help. I hope this improves your other roosters behavior to the hens.

 

[Barrdwing]

If the barred Rock roo starts to look like he's getting nasty again, you can tell him he'd better shape up or the Night-Roaming Roostervore will come for him.

Seriously, though, sorry about the unexpected loss. I'd be surprised if it were an owl, just because to drop down into a small space like that and grab a big bird, then get out again with him, would be a pretty tricky maneuver. Owls aren't big on vertical take-offs while carrying that kind of load. However, if the roo jumped out, an owl could pursue him and grab him. I would wonder if instead there was some kind of mammalian predator involved; in which case the barred Rock is darned lucky, because while an owl may only take what he can eat, mammals often aren't so conserving.

 

[CrazyFowlFreak]

Quote:
Such melancholy news regarding the Buff Orpington. I guess Mother Nature has a way of sorting these things out.
On the other hand, I'm so thrilled to hear things are changing for the better

You and your hen have my healing thoughts and loving vibes