Now What? New Silkie Rooster and lots of questions

[Theda's Mom]

My neighbor took in a silkie rooster several months ago when his then owner had to move. Neighbor has plenty of chickens, and plenty of roosters. Knowing that I have no rooster and have been interested in adding one to the flock (primarily to serve as a watchdog when the girls are out free ranging), she brought "Chuck" over this morning.

He's really rather cute .. and half the size of my girls.

So far, introductions have gone quite smoothly. Chuck stands up straight, ruffles his feathers, lets out a crow or two, and the girls totally scorn him. When he goes into the coop, they file out into the run. When he goes into the run, the girls file into the coop.

All my hens are lap chickens. I really doubt that given Chuck's provenance that he's been well socialized. (I know the woman he came from originally, and let's put it this way, she's not exactly known for responsible animal husbandry.) I know that silkies have a great reputation for being friendly. Does that reputation extend to the roosters? What should I expect? I've never had a rooster. Is there any possibility of socializing him?

I'm going to keep everyone in the coop/run complex for about a week before letting them free range again. Is that about right?

Thanks much!

Susan

 

[ranchhand]

I don't have any experience with Silkies- but I suspect that he and the hens will get along eventually. Time and patience!

Might have been a good idea to quarantine him for a while, but no point in that now.

A week in the coop/run ought to work. Good luck, silkies are considered evil ya know! They will take over your life according to some.

 

[Theda's Mom]

Thanks!

Just so I don't come across as a bad chicken mama .. I wasn't too concerned about quarantining - but ONLY because 1) I know my neighbor's flock and 2) he'd been there for about five months so I figured if he'd had anything nasty, it would've made its presence known.

So far so good out there. I also think the BR is going to retain her status as chief-chickie-in-charge.

 

[Cheery Cluck]

Silky roosters are great fun! At least in my experiences... If your hens haven't been exposed to a rooster before they may be a little bit startled for a while. But chickens are very personable so they will soon merge in with the rooster. I got two other chickens and it took only a few days for them to merge into the rest of the flock. They are very smart and I'm sure they'll work it out. Good Luck!

 

[Love my Critters!]

My silkies roos have always been great, with the exception of 1. He only bothered my daughter, I guess he got his bluff in early (All 1 1/2 pounds of him

) Other than him, I've always had really good luck with the silkie roosters. We enjoy watching the way they "look after" the ladies and show them where there is food. Mine have always taken to the baby chicks as well and would take them off to feed and would even try to set to warm the chicks.

 

[Theda's Mom]

Thanks! I'm learning why people love their silkies! "Chuck" (as he's now named) is an absolute sweetheart. Even though I have my doubts about how he was socialized (if at all!) by his first owner, he's already shown himself to be a cuddler.

Of course, his willingness to be picked up and stroked may have something too to do with the fact that hens are being AWFUL to him! Poor little guy. The girls won't share anything with him, including roost space and the run. They've got Chuck buffaloed to the point that he's spending nights in one of the nest boxes (the first night he snuggled in behind the one hen who isn't picking on him - my perpetually broody white cochin) and is spending days inside the coop. On the few occasions Chuck does venture into the run with the girls, they ambush him and yank on his feathers.

This is really too funny, and not at all what I expected when I decided to add a rooster to the mix. In fact, I'd worried about the opposite: the boy beating up on and terrorizing the girls. Little did I know that I'm harboring a flock of feathered feminists!

The barred rock, Alexandria, is the most committed. All she has to do is to walk in poor little Chuck's direction, and he runs off to hide. Beatrice, the usually low-hen-on-the-totem-pole gold-laced wynadotte, is almost as bad. Bully Babes, that's what they are!!

No blood has been spilled through any of this, and last seen Chuck was pecking away at a corn cob that I left in the coop for him. Worse case scenario, I'll turn the little guy into a house-chicken, but I'm thinking that they'll work things out in another day or two. Until then, I'm definitely being entertained!

 

[Redhead Hen]

I just added 2 silkie brothers to my 5 girls. Boy my girls are not nice at all!

The brothers kinda keep to themselves. No bloodshed or anything bad here either. I am hoping that things will get worked out in a few days. My last silkie roo was pretty pecked the first day or so .... but then he got the upper hand! I was sorry he was taken by a coon.

(Nasty cute little murderer!) But I think in a few days our roos will be in charge!

Silkies are super nice and fun to watch! You will really enjoy him as a nice addition to your flock!

 

[Amy's Animals]

I have a silkie roo and he just gets along fine w/ the hens, just give them some time and they'll bond. But do know, SILKIE'S DO NOT MATE W/ HENS LARGER THEN THEMSELVES. So don't expect chicks until you get a silkie hen. I've had just 1 layer hen w/ a fairly young silkie roo for a year long and no mating not even any attempts. Laying hens are just too large for them to hold and mount. Then, I got a silky hen and he was on her in no time.

 

[Love my Critters!]

Just wanted to add that most silkies do not roost. They prefer to nest down in a nesting box or the ground. They do not fly well at all! So don't feel too bad for him is he is sleeping in the nest box, thats where he prefers to be

 

[gocrow77]

I have found the way to nearly ANY chickens heart is through their belly, lol! My big LF Light Brahma boy was not a lap chicken at all when I got him and he was over a year old. For the first week or so they avoided me like the plague - they avoided even going past me to exit the coop door. Now, when Big Boy sees me coming he screaches a 'come 'n' getit" call to his girls to let them know the food is here. He has even jumped in my hubby's lap. He follows me around the property like a puppy - especially if I have a container of ANY kind in my hands. Yes, my chickens are spoiled - and that's how I like it, lol!!