Raising Roosters Newbie

[KeyshaRoo]

Hi Im Marie and Ive been coming here since I got my Silkies last July. Of the 4 we started with there are two left, one accidentaly suffocated and the other remains a mystery, she basicly was fine one minute and dying the next Anyway back to the point... so left is my sons rooster Shawn and my supposed to have been a hen but now is a male rooster named Keysha!! Smh.... lol
I think they're in overall good health, there's a lil picky eating going on these last two days but they seem perfectly healthy So Im not freaking out just yet. What I would like to know is what kinda meds should I keep on hand for emergencies? what should I give if I think they are sick? & are there any must have or must not have's I should worry about? And if anyone has raised Roosters without hens do the roosters often bite eachother? I know their agressive when the hens around but what about if they only have eachother? Im asking cuz I have them inside for the nights right now until it gets warm so Im witnessing this behavior every single morning!! first thing!! when I let them out Shawn bites Keysha really hard!! and maybe again later in the day once or twice. How do I make him stop doing that? KeKe does nothing to provoke him and its starting to make me want to rehome his but! I dont like bully's but dont want Keysha lonely either, Any suggestions?? I caught it on video the other day, heres a link to see the video so you all can see what Im talking about.

https://flipagram.com/f/1LXsraqV4gc

Note: KeKe isn't aggressive. She seens to be in the video but she just thinks shes little still and wants to be on me all the time! so shes always jumping at me!! lol (sorry cant get use to calling her a he...smh)

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC

These links are good -
First Aid kit

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/suggestions-for-a-first-aid-kit.1150128/

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1149741/topic-of-the-week-emergency-first-aid-preparedness

I've not had issues with keeping two cock birds, but space is a possible consideration -
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need

I'm sure others will contribute additional suggestions

 

[theoldchick]

Typical rooster behavior. It will be interesting to see how well they do as house pets. Roosters are roosters. Many folks have lots of opinion about roosters. Some of them are very strong opinions, too! My rule of thumb with roosters-even the cuties-is when where are small children are involved you don't keep roosters. Roosters like to go for the eyes and toddlers are a prime target for attacks. Yes, your guys are cute, but remember they are not dogs. They have a certain set of genetic material controlled by testosterone. They have no idea how to be house pet. What you have are two teenage boys who will flog it out with anyone. Some get better with age and some do not.

And since these silkies are exposed to children, I would suggest talking to a vet and doing some basic check-ups. There is no telling why they have decided to be picky about eating except maybe all that testosterone-they'd rather assert who is boss rather than eat. Or they are so well fed they can afford to be picky.

Good luck!

 

[4 ever Orpington]

Hi Im Marie and Ive been coming here since I got my Silkies last July. Of the 4 we started with there are two left, one accidentaly suffocated and the other remains a mystery, she basicly was fine one minute and dying the next Anyway back to the point... so left is my sons rooster Shawn and my supposed to have been a hen but now is a male rooster named Keysha!! Smh.... lol
I think they're in overall good health, there's a lil picky eating going on these last two days but they seem perfectly healthy So Im not freaking out just yet. What I would like to know is what kinda meds should I keep on hand for emergencies? what should I give if I think they are sick? & are there any must have or must not have's I should worry about? And if anyone has raised Roosters without hens do the roosters often bite eachother? I know their agressive when the hens around but what about if they only have eachother? Im asking cuz I have them inside for the nights right now until it gets warm so Im witnessing this behavior every single morning!! first thing!! when I let them out Shawn bites Keysha really hard!! and maybe again later in the day once or twice. How do I make him stop doing that? KeKe does nothing to provoke him and its starting to make me want to rehome his but! I dont like bully's but dont want Keysha lonely either, Any suggestions?? I caught it on video the other day, heres a link to see the video so you all can see what Im talking about.

https://flipagram.com/f/1LXsraqV4gc

Note: KeKe isn't aggressive. She seens to be in the video but she just thinks shes little still and wants to be on me all the time! so shes always jumping at me!! lol (sorry cant get use to calling her a he...smh)

 

[chuckachucka]

Roosters can usually live together quite happily. There will be biting and scrapping but it's when hens are around that roosters really fight. Do not be tempted to get a girl chicken because they will fight worse over her, unless you intend to keep them separate with one girl or more each.

HOWEVER, in the video you provided, that black rooster is displaying human aggressive behaviour. When it runs at you with its wings out like that it is trying to fight and/or dominate you. You must act now to stop this kind of thing. It will be worse first thing in the morning and maybe in the evenings as well. It is especially important to stop this behaviour with young children around, but it IS possible to stop it.

Unfortunately bad behaviour from roosters usually escalates. It starts with trying to woo you with the wing dance and tidbitting and then turns into chasing your feet and finally full on jumping and kicking attacks, if you do not shoe the rooster that 1) you are not part of his flock and 2) he is not stronger than you.

To do this, whenever he shows signs of aggression, pick him up and carry him around for a few minutes. Never back away when he comes toward you. If necessary, a quick sharp tug on the feathers of his tail or the back of the neck will make him think twice about nipping you if you are bending down and your hands are near the ground etc.

 

[chuckachucka]

By the way I have a bantam roo who gets on swimmingly with my five year old daughter, so it is possible. There were some challenges when he was maturing at around five to six months but she chased and carried him a lot and he soon got the message.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

You've been given some great info. So I will wish you the best of luck with your roosters and welcome to our roost!

 

[N F C]

There are members that keep rooster flocks, you might find it helpful to do a search and read up on how they do it. Here's one such thread:
rooster-flocks.1174877

Best of luck to you, thanks for joining us!

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us

 

[sourland]

Hi, Marie, welcome to BYC. As others have said, what you are viewing is normal rooster behavior. The social structure of chickens must be constantly reinforced. Chickens are 'flock' animals. Getting rid of one rooster will make the remaining bird very unhappy.