Young Roo pecking feathers of hen

[citygirl]

I have a young BC Marans roo that has 3 hens to keep him company until his pullets are grown up. Today DH noticed that one of the hens had been plucked and was bloody on her back and saw the rooster peck at her.

I re-homed the hen in another coop so she could heal but I have no idea what to do so the rooster doesn't do the same thing to another hen.

Any ideas?

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

she may have been molting in new feathers and she was letting him pick at the blood feathers
or
here is the kicker
she is NOT HIS favorite hen

that roosters will do and you may not ever get her put back with him

so doctor the hen and hope for the best

Hang a head of cabbage wrapped in a piece of chicken wire about 12- 18 inches from the floor for large fowl One can hang a piece of baled alfalfa hay wrapped in a piece of chicken wire also from the ceiling. Restocking a new piece when they have eaten the leaves out.

NATURAL PROBIOTIC
Also another thing for good health is the using of buttermilk and, crumbles , and yoguart.
Soak 1/2 gallon of crumbles and 1 gallon of buttermilk or sweet or soar milk and 1/2 pint of yoguart. In a plastic pail mix and stir good in the morning and if dry add more milk. adult chickens 3-4 tbsp .
By making the wet probiotic mash they waste less yoguart and get it into their gut.

Besure and clean and dry the plastic or wooden feeders after they eat all of the wet mash ( generally what they can eat in 30-40 minutes.. I would only make what I needed for the
amount of birds I had. Feed so each adult bird can have 3 tbsp per feeding.

Feed this once a week. Besure and feed 16%(or higher) protein crumbles to the hens

so that with the oats the protein content isn't deminished.

for the oat mixture just have a feeder of whole horse oats and ofcourse granite grit
so that they can peck away in the oats.

This should give them something to do besides eat feathers

 

[MikasGirl]

citygirl, if it is a cannibalism issue, I would try a FLockBlock. You can get them at many feed stores. We have found that they work really well! Good luck!

 

[citygirl]

Thanks folks. This was the first time this roo has done anything even mildly aggressive. He comes right up to me and will take treats from my hand. I'll take the advice. The hen is fine this morning. She was out with some younger chickens in their run and looking for bugs. Thanks again.