Separating my Rooster?

[bethk98]

I have one very large rooster and 5 hens of various sizes. I read that you should have at least 10 hens per rooster and now I see why. Their feathers are starting to disappear off their backs from over mating (I assume). Other than that they all act normal. Do I need to separate him and if so, for how long?

 

[Angiebubs]

Unfortunately this is one of the side affects of having a Roo. Even with more hens it happens. I have 23 hens and 1 roo currently but he has his favorites and there are a couple hens who are starting to lose their back feathers. One option it to purchase chicken aprons which goes on their backs and protects the feathers. I have used these in the past but with the humid hot summers we have, I had to remove them. (And they look pretty cute wearing them too)

 

[Mrs. K]

In my experience, the bare backs bother people more than they do hens. I had a rooster, whose girls were bare backed, but they adored him, and he kept an eye on them.

But different roosters have different styles, I have two roosters with 7 hens, and while they are a little ruffled over the sides, not much else is disturbed.

Mrs K