help, weird situation

[birddad]

So we incubated some eggs and hatched 4 chicks. @ pullets and 2 roosters. We love them as they are sweet as can be. we have put them in a small run within our big run so they could get used to our big hen and rooster. The chicks are now 10 weeks old. I go out to visit them every day. I have tried letting them out into the big run but either my big hen or big rooster jumps on them. Anyway, The issue im having is when i stick my hands in the small run to pet the chicks, the 2 roosters want to bite me! They will jump on my arms and stomp on my hand and then bite the crap out of me. Drew a little blood yesterday! Im not sure why they have started doing this. We love these birds and planned on keeping them and not sure why they started biting. The pullets dont do this. Was hoping to let them into the big run so the big birds could show them how its is but they are too rough on them so im going to have to wait until they are bigger. Just not sure why at only 10 weeks old they are biting.

 

[CTblitzen]

Hi, friend!

From what I understand, you have one adult hen and rooster, and two pullets and two cockerels coming in. It is not going to be in their best interest to be in a ratio of 1:1. From what I’ve heard, and experienced it’s best to have one rooster for every ten hens or even more hens…

Unfortunately, showing that level of aggression at this age is not great. It might only escalate and it can get more dangerous for you. Suggest trying to act “big” and flapping back at the boys, or even doing the good old walk around while hanging upside down for a bit. I hear that cuddling them can taken as preening and it might make them think they’re more dominant.

If it continues, I would say … soup. or maybe rehoming would be more your vibe.

 

[BDutch]

Roosters , even the cockerels in their puberty want to protect their hens. Many don’t tolerate you or another rooster to touch their hens. With a lot of patience + space this can improve.

In general:
You can’t keep a rooster and 2 cockerels with so few girls in eyesight of each other.
One rooster with 3 hens is okay of you have a gentle rooster.

If you want to keep the cockerels you have to separate from the flock and make a coop/run in another location.

 

[SegiDream]

So we incubated some eggs and hatched 4 chicks. @ pullets and 2 roosters. We love them as they are sweet as can be. we have put them in a small run within our big run so they could get used to our big hen and rooster. The chicks are now 10 weeks old. I go out to visit them every day. I have tried letting them out into the big run but either my big hen or big rooster jumps on them. Anyway, The issue im having is when i stick my hands in the small run to pet the chicks, the 2 roosters want to bite me! They will jump on my arms and stomp on my hand and then bite the crap out of me. Drew a little blood yesterday! Im not sure why they have started doing this. We love these birds and planned on keeping them and not sure why they started biting. The pullets dont do this. Was hoping to let them into the big run so the big birds could show them how its is but they are too rough on them so im going to have to wait until they are bigger. Just not sure why at only 10 weeks old they are biting.

Agree with what the others have said regarding the cockerels etc. It's not going to turn out well if you keep that ratio. The boys will need to be separated (bachelor pad) or they will fight and it won't be pretty.

With chicks: My rule of thumb is to be as gentle and calm as possible, no sudden movements and don't grab them aggressively. Lure them in with food especially at times of the day when they are the most hungry. If you pick them up, hold them until they are calm before setting them back down. Maybe it's just me but I believe if you set them back down while they are scared they will retain their fear. It's normal for the pullets to be more friendly and cockerels to be more cautious.

When I'm at the point where you are in the introduction phase, plenty of space and hiding places are key. They need to be able to retreat from the older chickens. There will always be some pecking until the hierarchy is firmly established. That part is natural.

 

[birddad]

Well, The young cockerels dont seem to care that i pick up the hens and love on them, they dont even pay it any attention,, its when i try and pet the cockerels themselves is when they bite me or try and mount my arm and bite to hold on also.
Also, yesterday when i let them into the big run, my big rooster didnt just peck the young hen, he grabbed her head in his mouth and she screamed. It scared the crap out of me. I am indeed getting more hens asap, but just trying to figure out why these 2 cockerels we hatched that have been so sweet are now biting me when i try and pet them.

 

[sourland]

just trying to figure out why these 2 cockerels we hatched that have been so sweet are now biting me when i try and pet them.

They are coming into puberty, and testosterone is running wild. They regard you as a flock member and want to mate with you. This may worsen as they mature.