Which is better to separate from flock: the rooster or the hen?

[Nashonii]

I have read some of the most recent threads but haven't see this answer. I have a hen that is FAR over bred. She has lost all her back feathers! She runs, but she can't hide, and he only likes her. I have 17 hens, but these 2 have been together since before we bought them. It is past time to separate them, but I'm not sure. I have heard that if you separate her, when she returns to the flock, the others may pick on her. Yet, it may give him time to choose another, (he is a very good protector and helps them find food.) I penned her up alone once and she went stir crazy, so I let her back out,feeling sorry for her..
What are your experiences?
Nashonii

 

[DanEP]

If you pen her up alone it will remove her from the pecking order and make it hard to reintegrate her back into the flock later. If you can you might try and pull the rooster and a few different hens for awhile. This will not only give the one hen a little rest but will help to convince him to spread the "wealth" a little bit and make putting your flock back together again easier as a few new chickens don't get picked on nearly as a much as a lone hen.

 

[Nashonii]

. If you can you might try and pull the rooster and a few different hens for awhile.

Thank you for the reply. I appreciate the advice. The only pen we have available to put him in is a one chicken size. So we will put him in it for 3-4 weeks then introduce a few hens for a week. How does this sound?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Take the roo out, not the hen.

Also they make hen saddles!

 

[Nashonii]

FOFL! Really! Hen saddles, LOL! I was thinking booties for the rooster, so I guess that isn't too far off. I'll have to look them up to see what they look like on.."ride em rooster!, waahoo!"
Well for anyone else asking this question, I found that my rooster does not pase and go frantic when penned as my hen did. He is content to crow all morning. I guess he is letting the girls know he is still around even though he can't be with them. It was actually quite easy. While he was with the flock I put enough food and water for him to last several weeks and put down fresh wood chips,Then when I caught him chasing his beloved I penned them in the large coop. Seperated them - letting her out shut the door on him. He got curious about the new area and just walked in. Then I closed the door..easy! Now he is crowing all morning, but not frantic about it, just accepting. Hope my experience helps some other newbie. And thank you sweet chicken lovers for the good advice. I'm glad your there for us.
Nashonii

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I am glad your hen is getting a chance to rest. Hopefully her feathers will start coming in soon. Giving her high protein treats will help, like scrambled or chopped boiled eggs, unmedicated chick starter, and the like. If she is laying eggs and you switch her to Flock Raiser or unmedicated chick starter for a time (or permanently) then make sure to give her oyster shell on the side or mixed into the feed at 1 lb per 20 lb feed (per flemingoutdoors).

 

[Nashonii]

Thank you Chickensaresweet, That's good to know. Ag spokespersons said it would take about a month for her feathers to come back. If I get impatient, (or the rooster does), I will look into buying her a special diet. Right now I just can't afford it. Thanks again for your great advice! Glad to have you here!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Thank you Chickensaresweet, That's good to know. Ag spokespersons said it would take about a month for her feathers to come back. If I get impatient, (or the rooster does), I will look into buying her a special diet. Right now I just can't afford it. Thanks again for your great advice! Glad to have you here!

You are welcome!