My first batch of five chicks arrived a week ago and they are growing like crazy. One of the two buff orpington is noticably larger than the other chicks and now it is squaring off with all of the rest of them and jumping on their backs. It has been terrorizing all of the other chicks for the past 24 hours. To my knowledge, this is normal behavior but I do wonder if the jumping on backs is a precursor to mating behavior and that this "big one" might be a cockrell? I hope that this is not the case as roos are not permitted in my city. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Barely week old chicks with one playing leap frog - could this be a cockrell?
- Thread starter SDOH
- Start date
Too early to say
At this age, this is dominance behavior, not mating behavior, and may be seen in either gender.
thecatumbrella
Furiously Foraging
This is good to know. I have a Silkie chick that loves to karate kick her friend. Purchased sexed females, but I can't help giving this one the side eye whenever "she" does it.
- Thread starter
- #5
Ditto. I have trouble when the big buff terrorizes all of the others. I give the side eye and then have to walk away.
thecatumbrella
Furiously Foraging
Honestly, if they're not pulling feathers or plucking eyes, I think it's kind of good for them. Some of my chicks would prefer if the wind never touched their butt fuzz, but that's not how life works girls! We need chicks like big buff and karate kick silkie to keep them on their toes.
- Thread starter
- #7
Oh no, there are no plucking eyes. I am not sure I could handle that at this early stage of chicken keeping. I will try to remember this next time I am watching them. As long as big buff remains a benevolent dictator and doesn't go too wild, we will be fine. LOL.
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