dpnation
In the Brooder
- Aug 24, 2021
- 4
- 5
- 12
Struggling a bit with two unexpected roosters, hoping they can coexist but would appreciate some tips.
Secret rooster #1 - 1 year old, came with 5 hens from one farm around 3 months old. Also integrated in the flock are 4 more hens we raised from babies who are a month or so younger. Altogether, 10 chickens.
Secret rooster #2 - a silkie! He was born in the fall, came to us in November around 3 months old. He came with a Polish and another non-descript hen. Altogether 3 chickens here, probably around 8 months old at this point.
Both roosters were supposed to be hens
The younger 3 chickens have been getting picked on by the older chickens. Rooster #1 (or one of the meaner hens) definitely attacked one of the young hens in a nesting box - drawing blood. The Polish is picked on by both rooster #1 and the older hens. During the day they are mostly okay free ranging, though they do occasionally get into tiffs. I do not let them mix if they are confined to the coop. I have them roosting separately at night. I think the presence of a second rooster isn't helping the younger birds integrate, but I love Silkies and he's a good boy so I don't want to part with him ideally. My spouse loves Rooster #1 so we are kind of stuck.
I took a suggestion for the Polish getting picked on and just got a few more pullets with a poofy head. We just got 4 6-week old pullets today - another Polish and a Mottled Houdan for the fancy head feathers and two others. For now I am quarantining them, but wonder how flock dynamics are going to play out. Do I mix the pullets with the younger chickens and let Rooster #2 have his own flock? Will I have to keep them separated from flock #1 indefinitely?
Secret rooster #1 - 1 year old, came with 5 hens from one farm around 3 months old. Also integrated in the flock are 4 more hens we raised from babies who are a month or so younger. Altogether, 10 chickens.
Secret rooster #2 - a silkie! He was born in the fall, came to us in November around 3 months old. He came with a Polish and another non-descript hen. Altogether 3 chickens here, probably around 8 months old at this point.
Both roosters were supposed to be hens
The younger 3 chickens have been getting picked on by the older chickens. Rooster #1 (or one of the meaner hens) definitely attacked one of the young hens in a nesting box - drawing blood. The Polish is picked on by both rooster #1 and the older hens. During the day they are mostly okay free ranging, though they do occasionally get into tiffs. I do not let them mix if they are confined to the coop. I have them roosting separately at night. I think the presence of a second rooster isn't helping the younger birds integrate, but I love Silkies and he's a good boy so I don't want to part with him ideally. My spouse loves Rooster #1 so we are kind of stuck.
I took a suggestion for the Polish getting picked on and just got a few more pullets with a poofy head. We just got 4 6-week old pullets today - another Polish and a Mottled Houdan for the fancy head feathers and two others. For now I am quarantining them, but wonder how flock dynamics are going to play out. Do I mix the pullets with the younger chickens and let Rooster #2 have his own flock? Will I have to keep them separated from flock #1 indefinitely?