Well I finally got rid of my extra roosters from late summer hatches last year. I have 2 coops and a split run. As of today I have 16 hens and 2 roosters. BUT the damage has been done!! Not sure where to even start now!
Because 2 of the roosters really started fighting and over mating, the roosters and a lot of the hens are missing feathers. Observing them the past few day, I see that at least 3 of my hens are feather pecking at the rooster and at least one other hen. To top it all off, I have at least one egg eater too!
I love my chickens and I just feel at a loss at any solution! The roosters remaining could tolerate one another, so do I put them and all the other injured feathered hens on one side? Hoping the feather pickers stop once everyone is healed? I’m worried the hens won’t ever heal with both of them around. Do I try to isolate the feather pickers? I have one chicken hospital, but retrofit another. I’m worried I will have to end up culling them and I JUST got done thinning out my flock as is.
Any other recommendations? Solutions? Tips? I might be overthinking it. I’m just at a loss! Help and solidarity appreciated!
I assume people will ask so:
Coop sizes: 8x8 with 4 nest boxes and 4x8 with 4 nest boxes
Run sizes: each side is about 10x15
Each side now will have 1 roo and 8 hens
Because 2 of the roosters really started fighting and over mating, the roosters and a lot of the hens are missing feathers. Observing them the past few day, I see that at least 3 of my hens are feather pecking at the rooster and at least one other hen. To top it all off, I have at least one egg eater too!
I love my chickens and I just feel at a loss at any solution! The roosters remaining could tolerate one another, so do I put them and all the other injured feathered hens on one side? Hoping the feather pickers stop once everyone is healed? I’m worried the hens won’t ever heal with both of them around. Do I try to isolate the feather pickers? I have one chicken hospital, but retrofit another. I’m worried I will have to end up culling them and I JUST got done thinning out my flock as is.
Any other recommendations? Solutions? Tips? I might be overthinking it. I’m just at a loss! Help and solidarity appreciated!
I assume people will ask so:
Coop sizes: 8x8 with 4 nest boxes and 4x8 with 4 nest boxes
Run sizes: each side is about 10x15
Each side now will have 1 roo and 8 hens