my Rooster(the one in my avatar) must be going through an identity crisis or maybe just overwhelmed by the girls. He doesn't crow as much as he used to, and he lets the girls walk all over him (sometimes literally). It all started when he caught his foot in the fencing around the run, and got a cut around his spur. after that he seems to have given up on being the dominant one in the coop. the girls have torchered him and plucked all of his tail feathers. should I separate him and let his tail feathers grow back, or just leave him be? I loved hearing his crow all day. he still crows but usually only in the morning and evening
Sorry to hear about your roo. there is no infection? you know the old saying when one is down. They seem to take advantage of the one thats down. I would separate him but just with some kind of barrier where they can still see each other but to give the guy a chance to heal and feel strong again. Then when he's crowing again all through the day, let them out together during the day to get use to each other again. That way you can be sure he'll be okay through the night with the flock.
How long ago did this happen? Maybe he's still sore. From what I read, it's easier to reintegrate a roo than a hen.
