Does it Sound Like my Smaller Roo is Being Bullied

[schnebbles]

Currently I have a pair of d'uccles and a pair of silkies. I had 4 more girls but they died from markes, so this is where I'm at now. I'm going to add more girls very soon.

Coop - 4x4 - they stayed in the coop for a long time straight when we had a lot of snow.

Couple weeks ago, I started finding d'uccle roo tail feathers in the coop and within a few days he lost all tail feathers

Silkie roo is younger but much bigger - possibly bullying?

And lately, I've noticed that d'uccle roo doesn't crow. he used to be the prominent crower.

I don't see any physical damage, other than the missing tail feathers.

This morning it looked like when I threw scratch down that d'uccle was eating and silkie came near and I think d'uccle backed away. Could have been coincidence. I'm trying to watch them more when they are out.

Opinions?

I didn't intend on 2 roos, especially with only 2 girls but that's how it happened. I would have major trouble rehoming one because of mareks.

thanks!

 

[sourland]

It sounds as if the d'uccle has been forced into the subordinate position. In a 4 X 4 coop he is at the mercy of the larger silky.

 

[schnebbles]

so I assume this is common? I feel bad.

Why would he have quit crowing?

I was out again with them earlier and he walked right by/almost under the silkie, wasn't afraid at all.

The door to the coop is always open during the day, they just all chose to stay in as they don't seem to like snow.

 

[Den in Penn]

There is always a top rooster. Usually in chicken society the top rooster does most of the crowing. Most chickens avoid walking on snow, unless they have an incentive.

 

[schnebbles]

Interesting about the crowing, didn't know that. I feel bad for my little roo! He was used to being top roo!

 

[aart]

Currently I have a pair of d'uccles and a pair of silkies. I had 4 more girls but they died from markes, so this is where I'm at now. I'm going to add more girls very soon.

Coop - 4x4 - they stayed in the coop for a long time straight when we had a lot of snow.

Couple weeks ago, I started finding d'uccle roo tail feathers in the coop and within a few days he lost all tail feathers

Silkie roo is younger but much bigger - possibly bullying?

And lately, I've noticed that d'uccle roo doesn't crow. he used to be the prominent crower.

I don't see any physical damage, other than the missing tail feathers.

This morning it looked like when I threw scratch down that d'uccle was eating and silkie came near and I think d'uccle backed away. Could have been coincidence. I'm trying to watch them more when they are out.

Opinions?

I didn't intend on 2 roos, especially with only 2 girls but that's how it happened. I would have major trouble rehoming one because of mareks.

thanks!

I would think you need to rid your coop and land of Mareks before continuing with any chickens...unfortunately that usually means culling all of your birds.

 

[schnebbles]

I won't cull my birds. There is no way I could do that. Any chickens I get will be vaccinated and be a little older so they have time to hopefully be immune. And even if I were to cull the virus could stay around for years from what I read. It's very sad to have