Over-enthusiastic Rooster

[chanamarie]

I added a few more silkies to my flock a few weeks ago, including a rooster (well, 2, but only one is a problem). He's larger than the other ones (inc the other rooster) and solidly built.

Today I caught him grabbing and pulling around my younger silkie (hatched out end of July) trying to get on top of her. He literally dragged her around as she tried to escape. I was not impressed.

So (I've had chickens less than a year, so not so experienced)...normal behavior that won't really hurt her or time to rehome this guy?

 

[PeepersMama]

Don't rehome him, freeze him. Roo's that enthusiastic shouldn't be kept in my opinion. There's the chance that someone will breed him, and then his sons will be breeding crazy, and from that comes all the more trouble for the hens

OR you could just get a bunch of standard sized hens like Black sex-links or barred rocks. They are typically more dominant breeds and won't tolerate a chicken half their size trying to boss them around. AND they'll be big enough to deal with him.

 

[dekel18042]

I added a few more silkies to my flock a few weeks ago, including a rooster (well, 2, but only one is a problem). He's larger than the other ones (inc the other rooster) and solidly built.

Today I caught him grabbing and pulling around my younger silkie (hatched out end of July) trying to get on top of her. He literally dragged her around as she tried to escape. I was not impressed.

So (I've had chickens less than a year, so not so experienced)...normal behavior that won't really hurt her or time to rehome this guy?

Unexperienced boys are full of hormones and really don't know what they are doing. And of course a more dominant hen won't put up with them and will put them in their place, so they start with the smaller and lower ranking pullets. The boys also mature faster than the girls.
Depending on your number of pullets you may need only one roo. If you think this one has potential you can pen him away from the younger birds until he matures or if you have older experienced hens you can put him with them.
Good luck, a young inexperienced roo with poor technique can be hard on the young girls which is why most people get rid of their extra boys or form bachelor pads with them.

 

[chanamarie]

Thanks, guys. He is young, so it might just be that he needs to mature a bit. But I don't want him killing a pullet whilst he's maturing!

I have a friend who has standard chickens who might want him as he is a handsome guy and is friendly, just too rough. So disappointing as he 'looks the part'!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Wise decision though.

It is painful when they look so good but their personalities are not what you want.

You don't want to breed forward aggressiveness...and I've found that my nice roo's are nice from day one and handle the teen hormones as gentlemen....those that don't, go to freezer camp or sold to people who have room and knowledge to deal with them.

And a bit of thought for you...you've got Silkies which are excellent broodies. I find my broody hens put their boys in their place and teach them to behave in the flock. If they can't...well back to freezer camp.

LofMc