We have two roos that are tearing up a few hens. It is not that they are being mean, but that their toenails are slicing the skin open. We have put saddles (aprons/jackets) on the 10 most actively mounted hens. Now, another previously fine hen is torn on her side. So my questions... 1) Do I just saddle ALL my girls? And, will this protect them enough? 2) I have heard that taking a dremel to the toenails works great. Will this protect the hens from getting sliced, or is it that the nails catch (regardless of how sharp) and the weight of the roo tears the hen? Just FYI if needed, we have 2 roos, both 8 mos old. The JG roo is about 11.5 lbs and not filled out yet (he's gonna be a bit heavier!). The salmon Faverolle roo is about 8 or 8.5 lbs. He's pretty small (and lighter than the JG hens). Neither are mean roos and very protective of the girls.
Use dog nail clipers on the toes & clip the end off the spurs, then use the dremel to round off the spurs. Have some blood stop, styptic powder, flour, corn starch, cayenne pepper, etc... on hand to stop any bleeding. You may need to pen both roosters up until your pullets mature more. Are they a smaller breed than the two roosters?
Quote:BOth of our roos are 8 mos old and don't have spurs really (well rounded nubs about 3/8", but nothing that could do any damage). Our youngest pullets are 6.5 or 7 mos old and just about ready to lay (if not already). All of our breeds are large fowl, but some are smaller than the JG roo. However, he isn't interested in them. The ones that are getting hurt are 2 JG hens, 1 Buckeye and 1 Delaware...all plenty big enough for a JG roo. The younger pullets are 5 Welsummers and I don't believe either roo is interested in them (or they are too fast) as they don't even have a misplaced feather! The SF roo is small (in comparison), so size isn't an issue with him. In fact, any injuries on a JG hen HAS to be from the JG roo since the SF roo is smaller than the JG hens and he can't catch them. DH wants a dremel for his b-day or xmas. Maybe he will get it early (this weekend!) and try it out on the roos for me. I will definitely make sure to have cornstarch or something on hand. Cayenne pepper works? I would have never thought to try it!
Please post how it works out. I have an EE roo who has sent two of my girls to the infirmary (my downstairs powder room). I ordered them some saddles but haven't gotten them yet. My lad also hasn't gotten his spurs but he's done some damage trying to hold on to their necks. Too bad they don't sell hoodies for hens.
