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Rooster-related Mating Injuries
Other Names: Aggressive Rooster
Normally, roosters will mate without causing any injury to the hen. However, there are certain roosters who may be aggressive during mating or overmate with certain hens. There are also certain breeds of roosters who are known for being more aggressive then others. Studies have shown that those breeds who have been bred for 'meat' purposes, particularly the 'broiler' or Cornish crosses, show more aggression towards the hens when mating.
Signs of rooster-related mating injuries include feathers missing from a hen's upper portion of her back, with possible skin breakage. Observing how roosters mate with their hens will also be a key indicator of whether they are the cause of the injuries.
How to Handle Rooster-related Mating Injuries
Treatment depends on the severity of the injuries to the hen(s). In some cases, when a hen might be just missing a couple feathers and has no skin breakage, applying a saddle apron to her back might help prevent further injuries. If there has been skin breakage, then the hen should be separated and given basic wound care and allowed to recover in an isolated recovery ward until the skin has healed and feathers grown back. For roosters who continue to injure hens even with a saddle apron, they should be considered for relocation into their own 'bachelor flock'---where they live with a couple other roosters, without any hens to mate with.
Isolate the bird from the flock and place in a safe, comfortable, warm location (your own chicken "intensive care unit") with easy access to water and food. Limit stress. Call your veterinarian.
Assess damage
Although it might be a bit horrific to look at, take a moment to thoroughly look over the wound.
Chicken saddle
Purchase a chicken saddle (or apron) to help provide the hen some protection
Palmer, C., Pedersen, H. G., & Sandøe, P. Beyond Castration and Culling: Should We Use Non-surgical, Pharmacological Methods to Control the Sexual Behavior and Reproduction of Animals?. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics, 31(2), 197-218 (2018)
