I have six silkie chicks almost 7 weeks old (and their mama hen). One of the chicks has already developed a small comb, so I reckon he's probably a rooster (actually, I have a sinking feeling that they're ALL roosters). Anyway, today he and another chick were having a usual chest bumping and head pecking standoff when it got REALLY vicious. They kind of grabbed bits of each other with their beaks and sort of shook their heads from side to side to inflict as much pain as possible. They were both squealing in pain, but both kept going. It took ages for the mama hen, who was over the other side of the yard, to notice and come break it up. So, do you think I need to separate them? And, do you think I need to get rid of him/them? I don't want to get rid of any yet because I'm so desperate to have some hens in my flock and silkies can be tricky things (seeming like hens and then becoming roos and vice versa). I didn't want to get rid of any til I was 100% sure. Any advice anyone?
