Overactive or Too Many Roosters

Overactive or too many roosters in the coop can cause a lot of havoc. Not just their keen ability to crow 24/7, and in some cases chase you through your own yard, but to their prized girls.

We have temporarily moved the 5 month old chickens in with the adults. The hens will stay in the group, and the roosters will find a new home. Up and until the past week or so, it appeared as if everything was copacetic. I am continually watching and inspecting my chickens, watching for illness, injury or any changes in behavior. There's the minimal feather loss on the hens at the top of their wings, and a little bit on their lower backs. Not enough usually to warrant additional help.

Well, this past Saturday we had to make a strategic move and help one of our White Orpington hens. She's obviously the favorite of our dominant rooster (Pig Pen) and I'm guessing some of the other teenage boys think she's fair game. If you've ever caught a chicken then you'll understand, they're quick! Once you do catch them, you'd think the world was falling down around them! Until you can finally get them settled, then it's as if you're their best friend. So she went from this:

 

to this:

 

We placed a chicken saddle on her. They have been a great resource for my hens. I need to purchase some more, and will again purchase them from Louise's Country Closet. I don't earn a dime from her, but the saddles have proven themselves to be durable and easy to clean. This should give the hen some additional protection from the boys (until we move them to their new housing) and help keep flies and mosquitoes from biting. Poor girl. The things we do for our chickens!