Rooster Fatherhood

[CoopBoots]

New to having chicks as part of my flock. My old dude, Rusty, has been in look-don't-touch mode for around two weeks since they hatched. Now that I'm allowing physical time together I'm trying to be observant but not get too involved. So far I've seen him gently peck at tail feathers (no chick reaction) and boop one really good on the head, I guess for disrespect? (Chick yelled but seemed otherwise totally fine, it gave him some space after).

So I guess my question is, so I just let nature take its course or should I be watching more closely? Is any of that a bad sign for integration/my rooster's fathering abilities?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'd keep an eye on them for a few days to make sure. Good roosters will find food for the chicks. Bad roosters will chase them relentlessly. I'd call yours average. A few reminder pecks is normal. As long as there's no chasing and cornering it usually is okay.

 

[Shadrach]

I have to mention that I have never had a rooster harm a chick and I've seen a lot of dads who fathered chicks. This may be the important point. All the chicks have been the progeny of the senior roosters and one of their hens.
Once the rooster has imprinted them they're part of the tribe. Yes he'll give them a warning peck but if you watch closely the peck hardly disturbes the chicks feathers. Mums give the chicks far rougher handling ime.
Back up, watch and enjoy the show. They've been doing this stuff for a long long time without any human help.
Let dad out permenantly and when mum is ready she should take the chicks back to the main coop. If you have other hens, they are the ones who need watching with new chicks, particulalry if the mother is a more junior hen.

 

[SourRoses]

I don't like the sound of the peck on the head.
Usually, it's the hens who do the pecking to show the babies not to mess with them. They can get too extreme, but they have less force to bring than a rooster.
Our rooster likes to encourage the babies to eat and otherwise fold them in to the flock. The rooster is the determining influence, if he's not encouraging the chicks, they aren't going to integrate into the flock and heed the warning calls as well, etc.

However, a new dad can just be figuring things out and may get the hang of it. I would keep an eye on him. For every one peck you witness, there are likely to be a lot more you aren't around for. Try to look the babies over every night before bed. If they're missing feathers or have sores you will need to separate asap.

 

[CoopBoots]

Thanks for taking time to give me some guidance! I guess I should have mentioned these are his babies from one of his broody hens. The babies hatched in the main coop but I moved to the separate-but-visible approach in case any of my other hens (7 flockmates since babyhood) took offense with them in close quarters. So far everyone is behaving and broody mom is doing great, so I'm ready to reintegrate everyone as much as possible (bearing in mind the babies are still really small and look like absolute snacks to my abundance of local hawks and crows).

 

[Shadrach]

Thanks for taking time to give me some guidance! I guess I should have mentioned these are his babies from one of his broody hens. The babies hatched in the main coop but I moved to the separate-but-visible approach in case any of my other hens (7 flockmates since babyhood) took offense with them in close quarters. So far everyone is behaving and broody mom is doing great, so I'm ready to reintegrate everyone as much as possible (bearing in mind the babies are still really small and look like absolute snacks to my abundance of local hawks and crows).

I almost inevitably lost one or more chicks to predators when looking after free rangers. Try to keep an eye on them. Losing a chick or two is grim, losing a good broody mum or her rooster is a complete heartbreaker.