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Barnyard Buddies:  rough roo question  |
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 01 2013 : 3:47:23 PM
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We are not new to chickens - but this batch we have how, the roos (both of them) have just about taken all the feathers off the hens back. We live in MN, so my concern is this winter, if the hens don't grow those feathers back...will they be okay? They are locked up in the barn all winter (free range the rest of the year) but I'm just concerned with no feathers if they will be warm enough for our MN winters.
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com
www.thehmmmschoolingmom.blogspot.com
www.amydingmann.com |
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crittergranny
True Blue Farmgirl
1096 Posts
Laura
Lindrith
NM
USA
1096 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2013 : 4:47:30 PM
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If that is happening it is probably because they have been bred in a way that the mating dance instinct has been lost. Roosters that know the mating dance will cut their wing (put the tip on the ground and dance around it) and do a pretty dance for the hen and she will then squat for him and they will mate peacefully. But if they don't know how to dance then the hens won't squat and they will just jump them and the feathers get tore up and the backs raw on the hen. The roosters that are the best gentlemen are the game type roos. They still have more of the wild instincts left but they will also sometimes beat up the other roos. But there are many roos with other breeding that know how to be a gentleman and dance for the hens.
Laura
Horse poor in the boonies.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CrittergrannysLair
www.creamofthecroptrailrides.webs.com |
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2013 : 4:52:14 PM
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I was reading that on another thread, Laura, that you had posted about the mating dance. These roos we have now are the most un-gentlemanly roos we've ever had. Do you think that the featherless gals will be okay in the winter or not?
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com
www.thehmmmschoolingmom.blogspot.com
www.amydingmann.com |
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Hoosiermom
True Blue Farmgirl
199 Posts
Beth
Alexandria
IN
USA
199 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2013 : 10:58:03 PM
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we had the same problem last year with our hens & we only lost 1 in the winter. We live in Indiana & it gets pretty cold here. They looked pretty pitiful, but they are pretty tough girls I guess. Thankfully!
Beth |
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princesspatches
True Blue Farmgirl
431 Posts
arttie
iron mountain
michigan
USA
431 Posts |
Posted - Jul 02 2013 : 03:39:18 AM
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Amy,
I think they will be fine. They might even molt and get new feathers by time winter arrives. My roo did that to one on my hens last year and she is still spunky as ever. And we are in Northern Michigan where the temp doesn't get about 30 for 4 months.
Maybe just keep a light in the coop for at night when it gets really cold until her feather come back.
Good Luck
Arttie |
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
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KuntryKlucker
True Blue Farmgirl
55 Posts
Noelle
Tennessee
USA
55 Posts |
Posted - Jul 06 2013 : 3:55:44 PM
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I am sorry to hear about your hens. We have one roo, he is a very good boy but even he can sometimes strip their saddle feathers just due to his treading. I have invested in hen saddles for my girls. They are fairly cheap and just snap on around their wings. It protects them from the rooster and also keeps their feathers from coming out. Not only that but they are cute. I have Buff Orphington's they are larger birds and the saddles fit them just fine.
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Give me the simple country life. |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jul 07 2013 : 07:44:16 AM
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Aw, that is so cute, Noelle! I love Buffs. And the roos are so handsome. I know roosters have their favorite hens they are always riding. Some roosters can just be way too rough on the girls. Unless you are wanting the eggs to be fertile, you really don't need a roo. But I know you want the eggs to hatch. So you may need to invest in some saddles. You could probably make them yourself.
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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Barnyard Buddies: rough roo question |
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rough roo question
