Sad situation!

[Fussy8]

So my rooster has been very sweet to my hens and me but reasently he has been a little mean to the hens! His top hen got mad and started pulling out his head feathers (He has a crest) and he has not grow them back from the first time they pulled them out (2 or 3 months ago)! I'm really worried about him getting hurt! Somewhere i read that if a crested bird gets its feathers pulled from its head it can mentally and or physically scar them or worse kill!! I need help! And NO I will NOT eat him or cull him!!!!!!!!

 

[Judy]

You ay end up having to remove him from the flock, one way or another.

If you can identify one bully among the hens, then remove her for a week, so she will be at the bottom of the pecking order when you return her. Works well in many cases.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

You can't "mentally scar" a chicken
They don't KNOW what they look like

 

[kari_dawn]

just don't show them a mirror!

What breed is your rooster? I think you may be thinking of silkies with vaulted skulls...their freaky skulls are more delicate than most breeds, but not all silkies have vaulted skulls. As far as feather re-growth, they need protien. Maybe start giving him things like scraps of meat, and mashed up boiled eggs. If his crest is extreme, trimming it a bit may help him see better so he can get away, or defend himself better. I think someone on here actually uses ponytail holders on their silkies...they take the hair ties out at night.

If the picking becomes a problem, removing the bossiest for a week or so like flockwatcher stated. It will upset the flock dynamic, and reset the pecking order.

 

[Fussy8]

thank you!!