Silkie rooster picking on chicks

[southfloridasilkies]

Hi! I have 5 silkies that I got at 2-3 days old that are now 7 weeks. One started crowing (we think) around 4 weeks old. He’s the boldest and most affectionate and seems rooster like in addition to the crowing. We got 3 additional chicks, 2 are 3 weeks and one is 6 weeks. We’ve been introducing the 3 new chicks by putting them in a dog crate in the run. After about a week with no incidents we let the new chicks out into the run. The rooster has been chasing and pecking at them. They are usually able to run away and he hasn’t caused any bleeding or serious harm. Are there any other tips to help them peacefully coexist? Should we remove him to let them explore and get to know our other chickens? No one else cares they are there. We are only letting them in the run for a few hours while supervised. Thanks!

 

[sourland]

I'd remove him from the flock for a couple of weeks and then reintroduce him.

 

[Silkiequestion]

Hi! I have 5 silkies that I got at 2-3 days old that are now 7 weeks. One started crowing (we think) around 4 weeks old. He’s the boldest and most affectionate and seems rooster like in addition to the crowing. We got 3 additional chicks, 2 are 3 weeks and one is 6 weeks. We’ve been introducing the 3 new chicks by putting them in a dog crate in the run. After about a week with no incidents we let the new chicks out into the run. The rooster has been chasing and pecking at them. They are usually able to run away and he hasn’t caused any bleeding or serious harm. Are there any other tips to help them peacefully coexist? Should we remove him to let them explore and get to know our other chickens? No one else cares they are there. We are only letting them in the run for a few hours while supervised. Thanks!

Our rooster was pretty grumpy in his coop area until we started letting him free range while we were outside. Maybe some extra activity will help calm him down?

 

[southfloridasilkies]

I'd remove him from the flock for a couple of weeks and then reintroduce him.

I think we might start doing that. I’m worried about the 2 smaller 3 week old chicks moving outside until they are a little bigger. Maybe we’ll let him free range while we have them in the run periodically until we’re ready to move them permanently outside. If that doesn’t work we can separate him full time until he plays nice.

 

[southfloridasilkies]

Our rooster was pretty grumpy in his coop area until we started letting him free range while we were outside. Maybe some extra activity will help calm him down?

I think we’ll start doing that while the new chicks are in the run. We have a 100 square foot run but maybe letting them move in while he’s outside will help!

 

[ChickNanny13]

You could also keep him with the flock, putting him in a wire cage with food/water in the coop where the rest are = "See but no touch"

 

[southfloridasilkies]

Just wanted to give an update in case anyone else had this problem. We separated the rooster by bringing him back into the house and moved the younger chicks outside. We brought the rooster out for several hours a day to free range where he could still be near the flock. After two days he was no longer interested in them and now are all happily living together.

 

[Silkiequestion]

Just wanted to give an update in case anyone else had this problem. We separated the rooster by bringing him back into the house and moved the younger chicks outside. We brought the rooster out for several hours a day to free range where he could still be near the flock. After two days he was no longer interested in them and now are all happily living together.

I'm so glad that it worked out for your flock!