Shamo chicks fighting in brooder

[Freaky Farm]

Hi there,

I am trying to find out as much information as I can to be prepared if needed.

I understand that, even as chicks, shamos can be extremely aggressive even from day one, particularly the young cockerals. Others have said this may happen around 3 weeks, that they start to fight.

How have people dealt with aggressive chicks in the brooder (particularly fighting birds like game/ Shamo etc)? I am thinking that I will do some seperate little brooders for the obvious fighters if necessary. I am concerned if I do these little pens and isolate the trouble makers that it may make them less open to socialisation with hens later though... thoughts? These shamos are crossed with gentler breeds such as silkies and LaFleche so may not be as big of an issue as pure breds but I want to be prepared just in case!

Any insight and your experiences would be most appreciated.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@Pyxis do you have suggestions?

 

[LittleRaptorFarm]

Most chicks sort out the pecking order about that stage not sure about your particular breed but they generally do not hurt each other. I would just keep an eye out as they age. Real aggression doesnt generally happen until roosters can breed or right before.

 

[Pyxis]

I haven't had much of a problem with mine actually hurting each other. I have ko shamos and I make sure to separate the males out before they start getting real doses of hormones, but as chicks and juveniles I haven't had any serious fights break out.

That said, you do want to keep an eye on it because if they do decide to go for it, they don't back down. I once had a ko shamo cockerel, about twelve weeks old, in an area with similarly aged brahma cockerels. One day that cockerel thought he was gonna take on all three of the brahmas at once and wasn't stopping even when it was clear he was NOT winning. Of course I separated before any injuries occurred.

I've also got older Liege Fighter growouts living together in peace right now. They're just eleven weeks old now. But I'll be separating them in the next week to be safe.

 

[Freaky Farm]

Thank you! Mine will certainly be outside in separate pens before any major hormonal issues and usually around 10 weeks (even in Winter) as we are far milder than in America. A silkie x Shamo and a LaFleche x Shamo hatched in the wee hours of the morning and several others of different Shamo x's are pipping now. Trying to post a few pics but my phone isn't cooperating! The LaFleche/Shamo has far more Shamo characteristics at this stage (hoping for the devil horns and the large leggy and upright body)

You have certainly put my mind at ease for the next month or two

 

[Freaky Farm]

I think these are O Shamos?? (as in the Roo) - the HUGE ones! He stands about 80cm. He's funny he just steps over the hens (which are dwarfed by him) and squats!

 

[mister magoo]

Hi there,

I am trying to find out as much information as I can to be prepared if needed.

I understand that, even as chicks, shamos can be extremely aggressive even from day one, particularly the young cockerals. Others have said this may happen around 3 weeks, that they start to fight.

How have people dealt with aggressive chicks in the brooder (particularly fighting birds like game/ Shamo etc)? I am thinking that I will do some seperate little brooders for the obvious fighters if necessary. I am concerned if I do these little pens and isolate the trouble makers that it may make them less open to socialisation with hens later though... thoughts? These shamos are crossed with gentler breeds such as silkies and LaFleche so may not be as big of an issue as pure breds but I want to be prepared just in case!

Any insight and your experiences would be most appreciated.

once they are about 6" tall they start locking jaws and kick each other endlessly. idk if they develop a pecking order or not because i separated the boys. anyone that says there are no differneces between sexes never raised an animal