Is this normal behavior for a rooster?

[Sandstorm]

Hi! I have two rabbit cages tied together for a brooder. One cage has a heat lamp the other does not. I have some 6 week old chicks and some 2-3 week old chicks. My 6 week old chicks all stay in the cage without the heat lamp except my rooster. He is always with the little chicks. He sleeps with the 2-3 week olds and cuddles up to them. Some of them even cuddle up under his wing. I have even put a barrier between the big chicks and the little chicks.(only because my wyondotte was attacking one of my faverolles) but with the barrier my rooster tries to get to the chicks. I think it was stressing him out. I keep worrying that he will attack the 2-3 week old chicks but hes very sweet with them. I'm not familiar with roosters and was wondering if this is normal rooster behavior? It doesn't look like it in the picture but the rooster is about 3 times the size of the little chicks that are cuddled up to him in the first 2 pictures.

 

[Sparrowsong98]

I am assuming all your other babies are pullets, in which case this is fine. Roos usually are fine with hens, young or old, but might attack other roos, even in the brooder.

 

[Sandstorm]

I am assuming all your other babies are pullets, in which case this is fine. Roos usually are fine with hens, young or old, but might attack other roos, even in the brooder.

As far as I know the rest are pullets. I cant believe how sweet he is. I've never had a rooster before. Where I live they are not allowed. I really wish I didn't have to rehome him

 

[Ducksandchickens]

It’s normal behavior like @Sparrowsong98 said it’s probaly because the other chicks are pullets

 

[Sandstorm]

It’s normal behavior like @Sparrowsong98 said it’s probaly because the other chicks are pullets

I was worried about leaving him alone with the little chicks. I keep thinking hes going to hurt one but then I found him sleeping with two of them under his wing lol. I feel better about him being alone with them now. Thank you!

 

[Ducksandchickens]

Do you have any pictures? I would love to see the roo and chickies

 

[AnimalGeek23]

Yes! It is normal behavior for the roo. So cute.

 

[sylviethecochin]

It's not normal, but it does happen, and it's got nothing to do with the sex of the chicks. Chickens don't care what sex other chickens are until the hormones set in—which is at least a month off, for your boy.

Roosters are (far) more likely to babysit chicks not their own than hens are. Breeds such as silkies and game roosters are more likely to do this, even if the chicks are rooster chicks. Look up "broody rooster" on BYC for more information. Someone had the exact same thing happen with a six-week RIR cockerel (and they assumed he was a girl, because of the mothering instinct.)

Your boy has started out pretty young, and I would keep him. (Actually, if you were close, I might steal him.) Hens don't actually usually have much of a mothering instinct unless it's their own chicks or they're silkies. That's not universal, but it is generally true.

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And many other places. Roosters like chicks.

EDT: Which is why it's so weird when I see so many posts asking if roosters will attack chicks. Not normal ones, no. If they do, they're going into a nice, warm place, known as "Sylvie's stomach."

 

[Sandstorm]

Do you have any pictures? I would love to see the roo and chickies

I tried to get one just now of him laying on them but he ran. This is their reaction to the rooster leaving them lol. I dont think they are very happy with me for disturbing their nap. I will try to get a better picture when he goes back to them.

 

[Ducksandchickens]

I tried to get one just now of him laying on them but he ran. This is their reaction to the rooster leaving them lol. I dont think they are very happy with me for disturbing their nap. I will try to get a better picture when he goes back to them.

Aww cuties!