Currently, I have removed my Roosters favorite hen from the flock due to the fact that she has lost a good deal of feathers on her lower back. She isn't bald, but the down is showing. She is in a fenced large cage inside the coop it's self, but I am wondering, should I separate him out rather than the hen? And... how long should I do so for? How long would you say it takes for feathers to grow back? My Rooster is rather large and young, (Hatched July, 2014) so I think he is just over anxious. I have hatched from him and am not planning to again until the weather warms up a bit more, as I have chicks that will be joining the rest of the flock in about 4 weeks. (They are currently 5 weeks) I just feel bad that she is away from the flock, when it is to no fault of her own. ETA: The other thing is, will this always be an issue? And is it right to step in at this point? I am increasing my flock, with not only the chicks, but I have 3 other hens I am adding at the end of April. So the totals will be 12 hens to the 1 Rooster.
You could try a chicken saddle. I did that with one of my roosters favorites and it worked great. She got used to it within a few minutes then never seemed to give it another thought.
I would guess the great majority of us have faced this problem. Yes, hen saddle/aprons may help the one getting the wear and tear, but this rooster will probably continue to be hard on the hens, at least until his hormones level off after another year or so. I've had this problem, tried the saddles, and ended up simply keeping the rooster(s) separate from the hens until they are older and more mellow. No, it doesn't hurt the roosters or make them any hornier not to be able to access the hens. Everyone is more relaxed with roosters out of the hen pen.
