what would be causing this?

[ryantollefson81]

I have 2 roosters and 4 hens. 1 rooster and 2 hens are missing feathers on their backs. What would be causing this? Picture included.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Probably your rooster who has all of his feathers. It is very common for a dominant rooster to mount a subordinate.

Or, it could be mites or lice, I suppose. But I find it a little suspect that 3 of them are missing feathers and one is not...

 

[ryantollefson81]

That is what I thought. I didn't know a dominant rooster will mount a subordinate. If it was mites or lice wouldn't they all have feathers missing? What do I need to do???????

 

[justplainbatty]

That is what I thought. I didn't know a dominant rooster will mount a subordinate. If it was mites or lice wouldn't they all have feathers missing? What do I need to do???????

That is what I thought. I didn't know a dominant rooster will mount a subordinate. If it was mites or lice wouldn't they all have feathers missing? What do I need to do???????

if they are brooder buddies, they should work it out. But, you need more hens or one less rooster! Each roo needs at least 5 hens! If you want to keep both roosters and not add hens, build them a bachelor pen and just let one or the other out with the hens a few hours a day or whatever.

 

[ryantollefson81]

We plan to get more hens so hopefully that works!!