most of my hens have some degree of feathers missing from their backs and some have scratches. my rooster is a huge and i think it might be from him standing on them constantly.
but today i noticed a hen sort of pecking at herself (she has scabbed scratches) so i didn't know if she had some sort of lice or if her scabs were itchy or what. i don't like to use pesticides and would apreciate any ideas. there are about 10 hens and one giant rooster in this pen. they are all orpingtons but the rooster seems disproportionately big (or the hens are small?)
my hens have bald patches
You can look for lice and mites on your hens which will tell you if they haven them. Probably, though, it is from your rooster. Maybe you should separate them for a while and give those girls a break!
thanks i may have to
i live on a little island and i look forward to our tiny ag fair every year
the only reason i'm keeping him around is for the fair (and his good looks)
maybe ill give the hens a chance to recouperate for a while and let him range around.
I have a buff orpington too, and he looks like a monster compared to my large RIR hens. He is about 10lbs, and only a year old. My hens have had missing feathers around their backs, but it is more like thinning then completely bald. I think seperating would be a good idea too.
You can also trim your roosters spurs. That may help
Those poor girls must be tired!
cuckoogirl
Mar 02, 2008
Hi big Buffy.....I live in Western Ma and i know several people looking for a Buff Orpington Rooster if you decide to not keep him.
Just Dmail me if you decide to rehome him. Wendy
bigbuffy, you might also be sure they have some nice loose soil or sand to take dirt baths in. and feed them eggs or sunflower seeds or some other high protein treat. feathers are high in protein, and it takes a lot to regrow them.
tf
It's the time of year for molting and I'll bet that's all that's going on. Mine are all molting now too.
If you have one hen with scratches, it could be from the rooster or it could be the others are pecking her, especially once there's anything red there such as a scratch.