Cockerel tidbitting few day olds

[MarkJr]

Anyone that saw my other post on my broody I shoved 12 chicks under her yesterday. Today she brought them out of the coop. I was just watching the cockerel and her interact, and the cockerel started tidbitting the chicks! I didn’t expect him to be mean, but I DID expect him to be similar to the 26 week old pullets. Peck em and tell them to go away.

Is this normal? Cockerel was introduced a few days ago also. He’s 5 months old according to my buddy that I got him from.

 

[centrarchid]

It can be normal. Most of mine will do it. They do not start until adult feathers fully in.

 

[MarkJr]

It can be normal. Most of mine will do it. They do not start until adult feathers fully in.

Don’t start pecking them out of their space until full feathered??? Then why are pullets so damn ornery?

 

[centrarchid]

Don’t start pecking them out of their space until full feathered??? Then why are pullets so damn ornery?

We are not smoking same stuff, please clarify?

 

[MarkJr]

We are not smoking same stuff, please clarify?

It can be normal. Most of mine will do it. They do not start until adult feathers fully in.

^^^ I was trying to get clarification on your post here.

 

[centrarchid]

The cockerels do not begin tid-bitting for hens, pullets or chicks until the first set of adult feathers are fully in (no longer in blood feather).

 

[MarkJr]

Gotcha. He’s fully feathered then, cause he’s always dancing and tidbitting for the girls permission. Still haven’t seen him take them forcefully. It’s quite the change up.

 

[MarkJr]

But it IS normal for cockerel or rooster to tidbit the fluff balls?

 

[centrarchid]

But it IS normal for cockerel or rooster to tidbit the fluff balls?

Mine do. Mine also do the following.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/what-to-look-for-in-a-broody-rooster.882368/

 

[Chickstarrs]

Sounds like he may be a keeper.