Feeling overwhelmed...

[PluckyJen]

Good evening everyone.
I have 2 silky hens and 2 silky roosters.
Boys have gotten along since birth as well as mums. Now we have mums with their babies at 12 weeks. It's all going pear-shaped. The moms want to kill eachother if I try put them together and they attack each other's babies. Which is fair in logic. Protective. So we have had them in different coops since babies were born, each mom with their babies. Boys have been free ranging around the property.
Well today it went pear-shaped and I guess the hormones kicked in. The boys beat eachother up, it was blood everywhere, comb injuries and feet. Cleaned them up and doctored them. They sulked a bit then went at it again. We broke it up and they are sleeping in seperate quarters.

Any suggestions on the situation? Do I integrate the ladies back with them and keep babies separate being 12 weeks now? The roosters are quite rough with the moms I won't lie. I hate this mating thing. It's traumatic. Feels like everyone hates everyone at this point.

 

[nuthatched]

You're going to have to get rid if the boys. And you'll have to use the see but don't touch method for the mums and their babes. They might not calm down until the chicks are weaned.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

The ratio is almost as bad as it can get with those 4. Hormones and frustration can unfortunately cause many an issue

 

[Mrs. K]

How many chicks? How many of the chicks are cockerels? How much space do you have?

Remove at least one or both of the roosters. The 12 week old chicks do not need their mothers. The mothers have weaned them.

A lot depends on how much space you have, how many chicks you have. But a stressed out flock is no fun as you are discovering. And from what you said, I think you would be much happier with just a hen flock, at least for a while.

Mrs K

 

[Folly's place]

You will have cockerels, and don't need any, or maybe one, if you keep one of your feuding roosters. Do you need either of them? Do you have plans for the cockerels you are sure to have?
Always go for peace out there!
Mary