Roosters battling each other more in spring?

[jbrajdich]

I’m wondering if I can get rid of the copper maran and keep the silkie.. but do you think the hens would hurt him because of his size?

 

[ashlierami]

I’m wondering if I can get rid of the copper maran and keep the silkie.. but do you think the hens would hurt him because of his size?

Do the hens currently pick on him? I don't think the hens would hurt him or at least I've never had any hens to be agressive to the rooster. If they both can't get along it will be dangerous for the silkie if he continues to get beat up. I know they are susceptible to head injuries. If you only had the silkie for example he would probably feel more powerful and like he's the boss since he would then be the alpha with no other roo to be afraid of. As far as protection of your hens go that would be based on his own personality. There are good and bad roos in each breed no matter the size.

 

[Peril]

roosters fight over hens you might want to consider giving them equal amounts of hens so that they wont fight

 

[jbrajdich]

They really don’t bother him at all, but if he tries to mate with them, they usually tell him to get lost. I think they would be ok with him, he’s just never been the alpha leader that they follow before. He’ll call to them about pointing out food but he’s not necessarily as aware of incoming predators like the existing alpha rooster is.

 

[ashlierami]

They really don’t bother him at all, but if he tries to mate with them, they usually tell him to get lost. I think they would be ok with him, he’s just never been the alpha leader that they follow before. He’ll call to them about pointing out food but he’s not necessarily as aware of incoming predators like the existing alpha rooster is.

The hens probably don't let him mate because they are more favoring to the roo that is the alpha. If the silkie is the only roo there then the hens will have him only and not another option . The silkie would be considered the bottom of the pecking order with the other rooster so the hens know that. I've heard silkies are as aware of incoming predators due to the feathers around their eyes. I always trim around my girls eyes. There are pros and cons to having each rooster either together or on their own. I would just weigh the options to help you decide which roo to keep. Would it be possible to keep both but keep them in separate areas with their own girls?

 

[Folly's place]

If your Marans rooster is human aggressive, get rid of him!
He can easily kill your Silkie, if they are fighting, so do be careful here.
Silkies are small and fragile, but cute, and if he's a good boy, maybe worth keeping. I'd rather have a big rooster, but only a nice polite one. Maybe raise some straight run chicks, and choose another couple of cockerels as possible replacements.
Mary

 

[TheTwoRoos]

Just because he is a Silkie doesn’t mean he has any less potential than the other,whether it’s fighting or protecting,how old are they?

 

[centrarchid]

I have two flocks (American Dominique and Missouri Dominique) that are frequently free-ranged. The rooster / harem masters will fight and I do not want "cross-pollination". What I have done is house each flock in its own large pen. The flocks are either free-ranged on alternative days or one is allowed out for a couple hours before called back into pen prior to release of second flock for remainder of day. Another option I have used is where pens are a couple hundred feet or more apart. Each flock is provisioned with its own feeding station and cover patches. Later setup requires more resources than typical of a backyard setting.