Naked Neck/Turken Thread

[Kev]

Aggression between roosters isn't necessarily a sign of aggression towards people.

It might be an attempt to rearrange the rank. Might be the case if it's between the two only and Ozzy is not picking fights or beating on other roosters. If Ozzy wins, it is possible for things to become peaceful again however it is normal for the new winner to be a bit hard on the loser for a while but things eventually calm down to before.. as long as there are no further attempts at rank rearrangements. Basically much like a hen fight but roosters take it to a higher level.

If Ozzy is also being hard on other roosters, he may be one of those that just cannot stand other roosters being around and there isn't much one can do about these other than isolation/culling. (I cull these but that is a personal decision, not a recommendation. I like things being peaceful and easy in the flock)

 

[Pensmaster]

Uh oh.....I had to break up a really nasty, on-going battle between my beloved NN rooster, Heisenberg, and his mini-me gorgeous son, Ozzy. Twice this morning I saw them fighting, but when Heisenberg walked away it simply ended and they went about their business...normal stuff. But while I was performing water changes another fight ensued and Ozzy would NOT stop chasing Heisenberg, even when my two very large roosters, Hansel and Shiloh, tried to intervene. I was able to finally step in between them and gather Ozzy up to isolate for a while, and he showed zero aggression towards me, which is good, but I'm worried that this indicates a potential larger problem. 

So I ask you more seasoned chicken lovers...should I worry, or is this just a phase? I'd rather not cull Ozzy, but I will if this indicates a chronically combative demeanor with the other boys.

I've separated all roosters now as they've all come into age. I've found it best as the loser is usually sticking his head behind water bucket when I get home from work. Only keep two to start with in each pen so winner takes all. If I have room I keep, others wise culled.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Uh oh.....I had to break up a really nasty, on-going battle between my beloved NN rooster, Heisenberg, and his mini-me gorgeous son, Ozzy. Twice this morning I saw them fighting, but when Heisenberg walked away it simply ended and they went about their business...normal stuff. But while I was performing water changes another fight ensued and Ozzy would NOT stop chasing Heisenberg, even when my two very large roosters, Hansel and Shiloh, tried to intervene. I was able to finally step in between them and gather Ozzy up to isolate for a while, and he showed zero aggression towards me, which is good, but I'm worried that this indicates a potential larger problem.

So I ask you more seasoned chicken lovers...should I worry, or is this just a phase? I'd rather not cull Ozzy, but I will if this indicates a chronically combative demeanor with the other boys.

I'm certainly not seasoned, but I'm sorry to hear this - this is why all my boys are separated. I have a few boys (Dumbledore and Severus Snape) that are intolerant of other roosters. And Tank beat up on Apoc once too often. And Apoc to solo boy had a mere 30 minutes of getting to walk around on his own and he was picking a fight with Dumbledore through the fence.

I haven't given up on the idea of integrated multiple boys in some families, but I suspect I need to go through a generation or two to get there and be very deliberate and slowly move the group toward that (and hope for more collegial boys in the future).

I'll be interested to hear what others say...

- Ant Farm

 

[DesertChic]

Thanks for all the input!

I finally released Ozzy again and about half an hour later he was chasing his daddy around the yard once more. I timed them....they did laps for over ten minutes and then I think they both just wore out. They're now at separate sides of the yard, each by a water station and some shade and other than crowing at one another, neither seems particularly interested in fighting right now. All of the rest of the roosters seem content to let them yell at one another from a distance.

These chickens never fail to keep me on my toes.

 

[Phill98]

When we are talking about roosters, how do they react to baby chicks? Or is that infividual thing? I think I will try to raise chicks with broodies and it would be great if that could be with rest of the flock.

 

[Skink]

It is as individual as how other hens will react. Some might be terrible monsters, most probably won't be any ruder than momma can defend against. I think the bigger worry is how much is the roo going to harass momma... I've had babies trampled to death accidentally because of a rooster chasing and treading their mum, so I would make sure there is plenty of space for her to get away from the flock and lots of hiding spaces.

There are some broody roosters out there, too. Some boys make excellent family men. You tend to see it most in smaller flocks where the energy input from both parents makes more sense. My serama boy Chip thinks he is every baby's dad and will feed, protect and warm them, so whenever I have heating element trouble I just put him in the brooder. From what I understand that is exceptional but other such roosters are out there!

 

[Phill98]

It is as individual as how other hens will react. Some might be terrible monsters, most probably won't be any ruder than momma can defend against. I think the bigger worry is how much is the roo going to harass momma... I've had babies trampled to death accidentally because of a rooster chasing and treading their mum, so I would make sure there is plenty of space for her to get away from the flock and lots of hiding spaces.

There are some broody roosters out there, too. Some boys make excellent family men. You tend to see it most in smaller flocks where the energy input from both parents makes more sense. My serama boy Chip thinks he is every baby's dad and will feed, protect and warm them, so whenever I have heating element trouble I just put him in the brooder. From what I understand that is exceptional but other such roosters are out there!

Hmm, I will need to consider and think about it more. I would never remember of rooster going after the hen and not chicks. But that makes sense. Thanks

 

[Kev]

Thanks for all the input!

I finally released Ozzy again and about half an hour later he was chasing his daddy around the yard once more. I timed them....they did laps for over ten minutes and then I think they both just wore out. They're now at separate sides of the yard, each by a water station and some shade and other than crowing at one another, neither seems particularly interested in fighting right now. All of the rest of the roosters seem content to let them yell at one another from a distance.

These chickens never fail to keep me on my toes.

Yep. When it is a rank settling thing, separating just prolongs it because they don't get to fully settle it for once n all. If determined, they will just keep trying to fight every time they are back together until it's truly settled between them.

If the rank has been settled and Heisenburg has accepted his new position.. don't be too surprised if Ozzy likes to chase him around a bit now and then. That will taper off. Not a good idea to put both in close confinement for now though....

One thing to watch out for confined birds is not to have anything where one bird can be cornered with no way out... they cannot understand the loser is stuck and really cannot get away so they can get frustrated and keep pecking at the head. And give hiding places- I've used plywood pieces stuck diagonally in a corner(two exits NOT one), large leafy limbs etc.. Learned this with pheasants where male on female aggression can be a problem.

 

[Kev]

When we are talking about roosters, how do they react to baby chicks? Or is that infividual thing? I think I will try to raise chicks with broodies and it would be great if that could be with rest of the flock.

Most totally ignore the chicks... until they are too close then they might give a bop on the head to tell them to get out of the way. The chicks learn very fast.

The worst problems are roosters who are very mean to non-breeding hens by either attacking them if they happen to get too close or deliberately chasing them away at feeding time. With those types, the worst problem is when the hen has day old babies that are not yet very mobile so the hen is kind of stuck where the babies so the rooster can get really angry and flat out attack the hen simply because she is not doing what he wants her to- which is run away.

The other potential problem are some hens who are for whatever reason, aggressive towards chicks or are aggressive towards a mother hen because of her 'odd' sounds and behavior.

While both worst scenario cases are not too common, it is usually much less of a headache to just have a secure pen to keep a mother hen and her new babies in for a couple weeks then let them all loose when you feel they are old enough.

One other thing- if there are magpies, crows, ravens or hawks in the area, it is best to confine them anyways because really young chicks are very often targeted by these predators- even with the mother hen, other hens and roosters around.

 

[Moto Beaks]

Hey guys, was wondering if anyone had any bantam naked necks here in southern CA? Im a huge fan of NN's and am interested in purchasing a pair or just a cockerel or pullet if possible to cross with my seramas. I currently have a NN pullet in with a serama boy but hes a little too small lol