For a while now, we've had a Black Astralorp rooster named Blackie (original, huh?). He is very fine looking, but Tubby has kept him in his place for the past two or three years. The balance of power has now shifted. Tubby is old and lame. He's was still very fine looking until Blackie figured out that he is BMOC now. He started attacking Tubby in the mornings and evenings while they were in the coop. He pulls out his tail feathers and jumps on his back, tearing up Tubby's comb. Poor guy, his head is all torn up, comb deflated, and there is blood in each corner where he has huddled trying to protect his head from Blackie.
Tubby is no longer allowed to be anywhere near the hens, so I've tried to minimize his humiliation and misery. When I feed the chickens in the evening, I go ahead and lock them up in the yard, shutting Tubby out. He's on his own to find a safe place to spend the night, but I figured it was better than being attacked every night. I think he's sleeping in the mower shed, which is where I put his own little stash of scratch for him to eat. Since I've been locking him out of the coop, his head comb is healing and the feathers on his head are growing back. He's even getting a few of his tail plumes back.
I guess he's lonely because he has taken to hanging out with Harry during the day. Here he is sunbathing and napping with Harry. He even hangs out with me while I garden.
Harry doesn't mind the occasional peck.
See how he has his foot lifted up. He does this all the time...picks his foot up and shakes it.
He does it with both feet and one of his legs is very bent. I recently did some googling and I'm thinking he might have scaly mites. I'm going to try treating him for it and see if it helps.
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