what should I do?

[Lunafarmchickens]

Hi.

I have 2 different flocks, in different pens. They free roam on different days, except for greeting through a fence they are completely separate. One flock contains all of my big hens (Standards/egg layers) The second flock contains a Silkie hen, and a Silkie mix rooster. The hen is the mother of the rooster, she had 4 other chicks that died, and 1 that went to the big flock. The one that went to the big flock is also a Silkie mix rooster, but he's doing great with the standard hens and they respect him. The problem I'm having is that the Silkie roo in the small flock is over mating the hen. I can't get more chicks to put in the flock until the spring if 2018. So... What should I do? I really don't want to eat this one. I considered putting him in the big flock as well but then the Silkie hens would be all alone and he might fight with is brother. The reason the hens are in different flocks is because the standards beat the crap out of the Silkie. I hope someone can get back to me ASAP I really don't want her to be super stressed out. Thanks for reading!

 

[azygous]

Can you rig a small vestibule inside the pen with the smaller hens for the segregation of the little roo? As long as he can still see and talk to his girls, he'll be happy. He can continue to roost with them at night.

I find this arrangement for over-eager cockerels an easy, effective one. I have a five month old cockerel right now who spends most of the day outside the run on nice days, looking in and watching the girls. On cold days, he gets to hang out in the jail pen inside the run. It's much more peaceful this way, and I find it's actually teaching him self control since I've noticed he's getting better about jumping on the hens when he does mingle with them.

 

[Lunafarmchickens]

Can you rig a small vestibule inside the pen with the smaller hens for the segregation of the little roo? As long as he can still see and talk to his girls, he'll be happy. He can continue to roost with them at night.

I find this arrangement for over-eager cockerels an easy, effective one. I have a five month old cockerel right now who spends most of the day outside the run on nice days, looking in and watching the girls. On cold days, he gets to hang out in the jail pen inside the run. It's much more peaceful this way, and I find it's actually teaching him self control since I've noticed he's getting better about jumping on the hens when he does mingle with them.

What about on free roam days? I would feel bad keeping him penned while his mom goes out and eats grass...

 

[Lunafarmchickens]

Can you rig a small vestibule inside the pen with the smaller hens for the segregation of the little roo? As long as he can still see and talk to his girls, he'll be happy. He can continue to roost with them at night.

I find this arrangement for over-eager cockerels an easy, effective one. I have a five month old cockerel right now who spends most of the day outside the run on nice days, looking in and watching the girls. On cold days, he gets to hang out in the jail pen inside the run. It's much more peaceful this way, and I find it's actually teaching him self control since I've noticed he's getting better about jumping on the hens when he does mingle with them.

My apologies, I made it seem like a had multiple Silkie hens... I only have one. That's a mistake on my part.

 

[azygous]

When chickens free range, it doesn't seem to be the problem it is in confined quarters. My young romeo does very well when out free ranging with the flock. It helps round out his "upbringing".

As long as your boy can still see and talk to his mama, he won't be lonely. Then of course let him out to free range whenever possible. You can always put him into his pen if he gets overly obnoxious with his mama.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Pen him up. He will be fine. I routinely pen up extra roosters separately. As @azygous said as long as he can see them through a fence he will be fine. It's better than your hen being constantly harassed.