[benkt]

We've got a lovely Light Sussex cockerel who runs with our main flock of layers (about 15 hens). We've been hatching eggs from his girls all summer with very good results (one of his broodies managed 12 from 12) but yesterday he had a lot of blood on his bottom. On closer inspection, it all came from three or four big tail feathers that had been ripped out or broken. I cleaned him up and purple sprayed round the stubs of the feathers and he seems OK today. However, he is getting on a bit, either five or six years old and I'm wondering whether getting picked on by his own hens is a sign that he's over the hill and might need replacing.
Any thoughts?

[Sylvia]

Poor old chap Any tiny bit of blood, or even a hint of it, such as new feathers coming through will set the others pecking. If you had good fertility this year he should be alright for next.
I always smother the pecked area in Sudocrem, put loads on. This not only stops the pecking but aids healing. It takes just a couple of days, I find. It also works with head-pecking in chicks.