Can I leave tom in with new poults?

[1littlefarmer]

I have two bourbon red hens sitting on some eggs that are supposed to hatch tomorrow. My question is whether or not I can leave the tom in the same enclosure with the newly hatched poults? He's very gentle and been around other small birds but not in enclosed spaces. I've read that some folks keep them separate but all the rooms in this inn are full and I don't know where to put him. Has anyone had luck keeping them all together? He free ranges during the day so they would just be together evenings and early mornings...

 

[BantamLover21]

Unless he shows any signs of aggression, I think it is fine to leave him in with the poults.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I never leave my Toms with any poults.

 

[hessclan6]

Since he free ranges most of the day you may be ok for a little while because momma hen will most likely keep her babies close to her to keep them warm/protected. You're taking a chance that something could happen though.

We do not free range so we separate poults from the pen when they hatch and put them in a brooder to grow them out. Toms and even hens will peck at babies and if they are not big enough to run away, dodge, or defend themselves in some way, they can be injured. We wait until they are several months old before returning them the pens.

 

[1littlefarmer]

Thank you all for your responses. It may be moot as something got in there and trashed 4 of the 6 eggs. Found one in each corner with the developed poult broken out...

 

[BantamLover21]

I'm sorry for the loss of those eggs. Could the turkeys have done it?

 

[1littlefarmer]

I'm sorry for the loss of those eggs. Could the turkeys have done it?

That's my best guess as of right now, I just don't really want to admit it. Their nesting box has sides on it that are about nine inches high so I don't think something like a rat could get the eggs out of it and I think their shelter is secure enough that a raccoon isn't getting in... and I would swear that I've had their eggs go missing during the day, too.

Would they really do that?

*sigh*

 

[kuntrygirl]

WOW! I won't comment on this one.

 

[wncpalm]

Sorry for your loss. I am not saying that I know what happened in your case, but I did discover this Spring that keeping a tom in an enclosure with hen and eggs/chicks can be risky business. The tom in this case was very calm and friendly to both people and the hen. But when the eggs started hatching, he apparently wanted to participate in all the excitement by getting into the nesting box. So when I went up to check, the hen was at the front of the box trying to block him from getting in, and one newly hatched poult in the box had been crushed. Probably no malice intended, but having big-footed toms around little poults is not a good idea!