How to Stop a Rooster From Scratching a Hen's Back

The rooster has sharp claws that not only remove the feathers of the hen but also injure her back while treading during mating. When you find feathers removed from the back of the hen, take precautions to prevent injury to her back by the rooster's claws.

Things You'll Need

  • Isolation cage
  • Hen saddle
  • Pruning shears
  • Sandpaper
  • Additional hens
  • New rooster
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Instructions

    • 1

      House the cock in a private cage and allow contact with hens only for a day or two every week.

    • 2

      Purchase or make a hen saddle. You can make your own hen saddle using two pieces of heavy canvas or by cutting an old pair of denim jeans and stitching the pieces together with elastic to slip over the back of the hen.

    • 3

      Cut the sharp edge of the claw of the rooster with pruning shears. Sand the cut nail till it is smooth so it cannot injure the hen during mating.

    • 4

      Increase the number of hens and keep at least five hens for a rooster that mates aggressively. This may reduce defeathering of hens during mating.

    • 5

      Replace the aggressively mating rooster with a new rooster as a last resort. A less aggressive rooster may not defeather or injure the back of the hen.