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.
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.