"The Hen's Head"

[Tristan und Isolde]

Does anyone know of a substance I could put on the back of one of my Bielefelder hen's head? The rooster seems to be destroying all the feathers on the back of her head. Is there something I could put on her head that would not harm either one of them but would discourage him from pulling the feathers out of her head when mating?

 

[Shadrach]

Does anyone know of a substance I could put on the back of one of my Bielefelder hen's head? The rooster seems to be destroying all the feathers on the back of her head. Is there something I could put on her head that would not harm either one of them but would discourage him from pulling the feathers out of her head when mating?

Yup, Pine tar.
The problem is the rooster grabs feathers in that area to maintain his balance during mating. This will discourage him from grabbing that spot for a while.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...s-and-injuries-with-stockholm-hoof-tar.74400/

 

[aart]

Pine tar overcomes the instinct to mate and the need for balance while mounted?

 

[Tristan und Isolde]

I just want him to balance without pulling all her head feathers....he only de-feathers the one hen.

 

[aart]

I just want him to balance without pulling all her head feathers....he only de-feathers the one hen.

Either he's clumsy and/or hen has brittle feathers.... pine tar will not cure either issue.