How to Keep a Rooster From De-Feathering Hens
The rooster has several important jobs within the flock: watching out and warning of danger, leading the flock to food and items, leading the hens back to the coop at night, and mating. But if a rooster gets too carried away with mating, the result can be hens with bare backs from mating that is too frequent or too aggressive. To prevent the complete loss of feathers from a hen's back, it is vital to intervene at the first sign of trouble.
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Instructions
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Increase the ratio of hens to roosters. The optimum ratio is one rooster for every five to six hens. More hens might be required if the rooster is mating aggressively.
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Move the rooster to a separate cage and allow him access to the hens only two or three days per week. This will keep up fertility in the eggs, while allowing the hens to heal.
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Construct or purchase hen saddles. These fabric aprons slip over the hen's head and under her wings and cover her back. Chicken saddles offer protection from further damage until the new feathers grow in.
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Replace the rooster with one that has less aggressive mating tendencies.
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Tips & Warnings
In extreme cases, it may be necessary to do two, three or all four of the steps simultaneously.
When adding hens to the flock, quarantine any new purchases for at least three weeks to eliminate the possibility of introducing disease to the flock.
Do not overcrowd the coop. Maintain a ratio of at least 4 square feet per chicken in the coop, and at least 10 square feet per chicken in the run.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit rooster image by Zbigniew Nowak from Fotolia.com
