Silkie rooster getting ripped to shreds. . .

[Leighe]

Thank you for such a quick response. Ugh. You're right. An additional pen will take some time to build. What should I do in the meantime? I don't want to get rid of him, but I fear I should.

a small dog crate would work. As long as it has room for him and food and movement until you can get something bigger. Or section off a corner of the coop.

 

[Leighe]

Do you have access to a dog crate? You can put him in there with his own little feeder and waterer and that way they can't get to him, but they get used him being there.

Well that will teach me to read ALL responses before posting, lol.

 

[TwinkleCake]

Lol! Thanks for your response anyways!

I just checked on Little Leonard. He's still pacing frantically to get back in the coup. I wouldn't know why though being everyone wants to tear him apart. Some of them are pacing at the door too. Lots of drama, huh? Time to get that dog crate . . .

Thank you everyone!!!!!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Since Leonard seems to have the name and heart of Leo, he may integrate faster. I might let him run with them when you are watching and separate him out at night for a bit, and when you can't supervise. Love his name.

 

[Leighe]

Great name, lol.

 

[TwinkleCake]

Ah, thank you. I'll try it. Thank you for the encouragement.

 

[henless]

Chickens don't like to be alone. Being alone makes them an easy target for things that might want to eat them. Almost everything wants to eat chicken. Even though the girls beat him up, he feels safer among other chickens.

 

[TwinkleCake]

That makes sense.

 

[adstowe]

I'd use the dog crate for now and when you get a chance partition off a little area in the run for him. The shelter inside his little area doesn't have to me much. Just a temporary set up to keep the wind and rain out. I've used a Rubbermaid tub turned on it's side with a chunk of plywood leaned up against it (lean-to like). It allows two means of entry/exit and makes a pretty decent shelter that can be thrown up or taken down in like 2 minutes.
edited to clarify

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!

Here's a pretty good way to rig a crate for easier use and cleaning.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...rates-a-good-tool-for-every-chickeneer.72619/

Having a rooster is a crap shoot for behavior,
especially when small children are involved,
as well as for 'protection'.
He might be a good warning system,
but often he'll just be a speed bump
for a predator on the way to the buffet.