Boys boys boys 🤦‍♀️

[Chickmunki]

Hi we have recently hatched a clutch of shipped eggs (USA silkies) .. We got 6 out of 12 - and it's looking like they maybe all boys (between wing crest and behaviours) but it's still early days so we may have some hens . My question is if I do have 6 silkie boys, do I keep them together or will i have to separate them? I have read you can keep them together in the same clutch as long as they dont have any hens between them as when they grow they sort thier own pecking orders etc? We love them all dearly to be honest, so i dont want to be getting rid just because we have a bunch of boys. But we would also like to build a coop/pen suitable to thier needs. What have other people done in this situation and have you had to separate them as they get older? Have you had any success with a batch of boys??? Pls note the carrier they are in isn't where they are kept it's where I put them whilst I am cleaning them out and could get a good photo of them all together- Thanks for reading and any information in advance. Carol

 

[cherrynberry]

Hi we have recently hatched a clutch of shipped eggs (USA silkies) .. We got 6 out of 12 - and it's looking like they maybe all boys (between wing crest and behaviours) but it's still early days so we may have some hens . My question is if I do have 6 silkie boys, do I keep them together or will i have to separate them? I have read you can keep them together in the same clutch as long as they dont have any hens between them as when they grow they sort thier own pecking orders etc? We love them all dearly to be honest, so i dont want to be getting rid just because we have a bunch of boys. But we would also like to build a coop/pen suitable to thier needs. What have other people done in this situation and have you had to separate them as they get older? Have you had any success with a batch of boys??? Pls note the carrier they are in isn't where they are kept it's where I put them whilst I am cleaning them out and could get a good photo of them all together- Thanks for reading and any information in advance. Carol

They are still early! Males develop later for silkies...

 

[cherrynberry]

Hi we have recently hatched a clutch of shipped eggs (USA silkies) .. We got 6 out of 12 - and it's looking like they maybe all boys (between wing crest and behaviours) but it's still early days so we may have some hens . My question is if I do have 6 silkie boys, do I keep them together or will i have to separate them? I have read you can keep them together in the same clutch as long as they dont have any hens between them as when they grow they sort thier own pecking orders etc? We love them all dearly to be honest, so i dont want to be getting rid just because we have a bunch of boys. But we would also like to build a coop/pen suitable to thier needs. What have other people done in this situation and have you had to separate them as they get older? Have you had any success with a batch of boys??? Pls note the carrier they are in isn't where they are kept it's where I put them whilst I am cleaning them out and could get a good photo of them all together- Thanks for reading and any information in advance. Carol

If they DO turn out to be ALL cockerels, you could keep them together, since they grow up together, in a bachelor flock...

 

[Chickmunki]

Fantastic news thankyou - I read you could do that. I know its early yet but we have allot of cockerel type behaviour too... Boys or girls we all love em to bits - our plan was to keep them together if they all are if it was possible. Thankyou so much...

 

[TheAlrightyGina]

Fantastic news thankyou - I read you could do that. I know its early yet but we have allot of cockerel type behaviour too... Boys or girls we all love em to bits - our plan was to keep them together if they all are if it was possible. Thankyou so much...

What cockerel type behavior have you noticed? Both sexes will chest bump, it's just that in my experience, the boys will keep at it for minutes at a time, whereas the girls do a bump or two then they're off to more interesting things.

 

[Chickmunki]

What cockerel type behavior have you noticed? Both sexes will chest bump, it's just that in my experience, the boys will keep at it for minutes at a time, whereas the girls do a bump or two then they're off to more interesting things.

4 chest bump for chunks of time off and on all day 2, are ? But I have read Silkies are hard to sex, so I'm not banking on anything. Just trying to prep myself if they are. If I do end up with a chunk of bachelor boys when I build them coop/run can they see other females in another coop or are they best where they cant see them at all??

 

[Chickmunki]

We've been unsure before as I know you can have VERY boyish girls. We have a very noisy full of it hen sticky (she isn't top hen) but she aspires to be a cockerel. She's adorable she even sits high and tries to crow amongst other things. She is a mischievous odd one, but we love her more for it..

 

[TheAlrightyGina]

4 chest bump for chunks of time off and on all day 2, are ? But I have read Silkies are hard to sex, so I'm not banking on anything. Just trying to prep myself if they are. If I do end up with a chunk of bachelor boys when I build them coop/run can they see other females in another coop or are they best where they cant see them at all??

If you're gonna do a bachelor group it's best if they can't see or hear any ladies.

 

[Chickmunki]

If you're gonna do a bachelor group it's best if they can't see or hear any ladies.

Hmmmm I can do not see, not sure about the hear part. As my girls can be quite gobby/loud Specially when they know am coming with treats and snacks...

 

[Mrs. K]

There really is no perfect plan for roosters. No plan, that if you do this, and do that, they will all get along. Roosters are a crapshoot, some live in perfect harmony, others do not. Some will be pets, and some will be nightmares to each other or to people.

The more roosters - the greater the chance that you will get some that are nightmares. ALWAYS solve for peace in the flock. With roosters, ALWAYS have a plan B set up and ready to separate birds.

Wishing that they would all just be nice and get along, never works.

Good luck
Mrs K