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long story short.
3-4 of the 11 hens are losing feathers. all inthe same spot. lower back,just above tail feathers and their thighs.
these 3-4 are also the ones our rooster chases down to mount and he aint all barry white about it.
bedding was changed 2 months ago. it was 4-6 inches deep and 10 months old. changed once a slight "chicken" stink started. its made of pine shavings.
rooster is also very alpha. he'll attack, grab hens by the back ofthe neck/cape if your in thier with them(getting eggs/feeding treats etc)he's tried to alpha me,,but he's learned that i used to play soccer and well..if he wants to play,,i return the favor! he's really bad towards the wife.
hes ramped up his attitude since we installed a drip feeder ,,has 5 nipples on it. he'll charge the hens or pounce on them to get them away from the waterer. then peck hard at it then ..do his lil strut around look at me im king ,,deal.
my concerns are is this a "mite" issue of is he just being to rough.
egg production has dropped just a tad.from8-10 eggs to 6-8.
feather issue started around dec,,we 1stthoughtit was molting.
if its the rooster id hate to cull him he's pretty and well...he justdoing his job.
any ideas howd he do if we just freeranged him away from the girls or would he then try to be alpha over everything in the yard(though i think our aussie shep may give him a run lol )
3-4 of the 11 hens are losing feathers. all inthe same spot. lower back,just above tail feathers and their thighs.
these 3-4 are also the ones our rooster chases down to mount and he aint all barry white about it.
bedding was changed 2 months ago. it was 4-6 inches deep and 10 months old. changed once a slight "chicken" stink started. its made of pine shavings.
rooster is also very alpha. he'll attack, grab hens by the back ofthe neck/cape if your in thier with them(getting eggs/feeding treats etc)he's tried to alpha me,,but he's learned that i used to play soccer and well..if he wants to play,,i return the favor! he's really bad towards the wife.
hes ramped up his attitude since we installed a drip feeder ,,has 5 nipples on it. he'll charge the hens or pounce on them to get them away from the waterer. then peck hard at it then ..do his lil strut around look at me im king ,,deal.
my concerns are is this a "mite" issue of is he just being to rough.
egg production has dropped just a tad.from8-10 eggs to 6-8.
feather issue started around dec,,we 1stthoughtit was molting.
if its the rooster id hate to cull him he's pretty and well...he justdoing his job.
any ideas howd he do if we just freeranged him away from the girls or would he then try to be alpha over everything in the yard(though i think our aussie shep may give him a run lol )
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