Question about young silkie mating behavior

[aart]

Multiple feed/water stations can really help during integration......as does the more space the better.
Places to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not dead end traps) and/or up and away from aggressors is good too.
As long as there is no copious bloodletting and no one is getting pinned down and beaten unmercilessly...let them work it out.
Separation then reintegration just starts the whole process over again.

Bachelor coops can work very well...can depend on the birds individual demeanor's.

Amount and types of 'treats' can depend on the protein content of the regular free choice feed.

I like to feed a flock raiser/grower/finisher 20% protein crumble full time to all ages and genders, as non-layers(chicks, males and molting birds) do not need the extra calcium that is in layer feed and chicks and molters can use the extra protein. Makes life much simpler to store and distribute one type of chow that everyone can eat. I do grind up the crumbles (in the blender) for the chicks for the first week or so.

The higher protein crumble also offsets the 8% protein scratch grains and other kitchen/garden scraps I like to offer. I adjust the amounts of other feeds to get the protein levels desired with varying situations.

Calcium should be available at all times for the layers, I use oyster shell mixed with rinsed, dried, crushed chicken egg shells in a separate container.

Animal protein (mealworms, a little cheese - beware the salt content, meat scraps) is provided during molting and if I see any feather eating.

 

[SleepyHollowFnF]

Multiple feed/water stations can really help during integration......as does the more space the better.
Places to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not dead end traps) and/or up and away from aggressors is good too.
As long as there is no copious bloodletting and no one is getting pinned down and beaten unmercilessly...let them work it out.
Separation then reintegration just starts the whole process over again.

Bachelor coops can work very well...can depend on the birds individual demeanor's.

Amount and types of 'treats' can depend on the protein content of the regular free choice feed.

I like to feed a flock raiser/grower/finisher 20% protein crumble full time to all ages and genders, as non-layers(chicks, males and molting birds) do not need the extra calcium that is in layer feed and chicks and molters can use the extra protein. Makes life much simpler to store and distribute one type of chow that everyone can eat. I do grind up the crumbles (in the blender) for the chicks for the first week or so.

The higher protein crumble also offsets the 8% protein scratch grains and other kitchen/garden scraps I like to offer. I adjust the amounts of other feeds to get the protein levels desired with varying situations.

Calcium should be available at all times for the layers, I use oyster shell mixed with rinsed, dried, crushed chicken egg shells in a separate container.

Animal protein (mealworms, a little cheese - beware the salt content, meat scraps) is provided during molting and if I see any feather eating.

Yeah there are a lot of places for hiding from aggressors and there hasn't been any blood at all, just a few feathers pulled here and there.

Good to see all the info on food as well. I really appreciate it! Thanks

 

[chickens really]

Your Very Welcome.......I strongly Believe in proper Nutrition with Chickens......They are great hobbies but require proper care so they live long lives.......


Cheers to you....!

 

[twinsmom6]

Thanks for your questions "sleepy" the answers you are seeking have helped me figure out what to do with my little troubled men.. Two young cockrels (thanks for the corrections aart) who are young and really going after their sister.... so I am going to separate them (together in a cockrel cage) next to the women.. like boy and girl dorms.. They were born in July as well (must be a good month for silkies) ..


hopefully harmony will be restored.. maybe when ginger is more mature they could have some supervised visits

 

[vpeterson]

If at all possible I try to make sure that cockerels and pullets are separated until they are ready for egg laying. Pullets can be hurt by young cocks and by adult rooster. If you have the space to separate them I would do it.

 

[twinsmom6]

thank you VPeterson.. that is exactly what I am going to do... hopefully they will be nice to each other in their bachelor pad.. they can watch the girls from where they are but no touchy
kind a mean thing to do to a teenager but hey... gotta respect the ladies..