[Sassy]

I have 2 Light Sussex hens. They are approx 17 months old happy and healthy and laying.

They have suffered from the attentions of an amorous cockerel to the effect that they have naked backs, the cockerel was culled in early June. I expected that the feathers would have regrown by now, but they are showing no signs. I am concerned on 2 levels:

1  Our new cockerel is now practising on them (in the last week) so this is unlikely to help plus they have no protection.
2  How will they manage in the cold weather throught the winter?

I would be grateful for any comments/suggestions/ advice.

[cathangirl]

Hello Sassy,
Do you have only 2 Light Sussex, plus other hens?  If you have no other hens, why do you need a cockerel?  He needs about 12 ladies to keep him happy.

There are some pullover patterns on here somewhere for ex-battery hens; hopefully someone will point you in the right direction to the page/s.

In the mean time, try giving your two LS some fishy cat food.  The high protein should help the feathers to grow back - but only if you keep your new cock away from them.

Good luck.

cathangirl.

[joyfull]

You can also buy chicken saddles which will protect their backs from his spurs 

[Foxy]

when chooks get bare backs due to treading, they often dont grow the feathers back until a moult is triggered. Some hens seem to be more prone to losing feathers that others, the sort of boy is useful to know, I have various cockerels from enormous favs and cochins right down to pekins and the size of the boy v the girls as well as checking their spurs are not too long. One of my bantam faverolles boys is so gentle he hardly parts his ladies feathers!!!!
Failing that as Joyfull suggests there are very good poultry saddles designed for treading. I wouldn't use knitted ones as the boys might catch their toes or spurs in them.

[Sassy]

Thank you for your replies.

I do have more girls now. I have asked at my feed suppliers re poultry saddles they thought I was' having a laugh' it took me a while to convince them I was serious .

As for the feathers I will have to wait for their moult. This is a relief as I was worried they were damaged and would not grow back and be very cold in the winter.

[Hensington]

Ebay for poultry saddles. But avoid a certain lampeter based seller.