Young Agressive Rooster Harassing Young Hens

[Sublight]

I have 4 new silkies. I got them before we knew the sex, and I ended up with 2 male, and 2 females. One of the 2 males is chasing 1 of the 2 females. He acts like he is going to mount her, but just runs around the pen holding her by the neck (and she freaks out). She will eventually run into the corner, and put her head down to hide from him. They are all young, the hens have not layed yet, and I have not seen a successful mount yet either.

Is this just meanness rearing its ugly head, or is it normal adolescent chicken behavior. They still are in a quaranteen cage until Friday or Saturday, so the 4 are in about 36 square feet of cage. Its fairly small.

I would love a suggestion or 2.

 

[Poultrybreeder]

Two roosters on two hens can turn ugly unless you get a hen saddle, and it could be him just "testing" for later, when he really does get old enough to mount

 

[lazy gardener]

At this age, I would separate the 2 boys from the girls. From what you are saying, your 2 pullets are at the mercy of these 2 cockerels. Their aggressive behavior will only escalate, and you are soon likely to see one cockerel holding that gal down and trying to mount her, while the other one attacks from the front. Cockerels know what they want, but they don't know how to get it. At this age, they are only capable of thinking with their testicles, and it's not a pretty sight. I would put the boys in their own pen, and then choose the nicest of the two, re-home the other one.

 

[Sublight]

At this age, I would separate the 2 boys from the girls. From what you are saying, your 2 pullets are at the mercy of these 2 cockerels. Their aggressive behavior will only escalate, and you are soon likely to see one cockerel holding that gal down and trying to mount her, while the other one attacks from the front. Cockerels know what they want, but they don't know how to get it. At this age, they are only capable of thinking with their testicles, and it's not a pretty sight. I would put the boys in their own pen, and then choose the nicest of the two, re-home the other one.

Thanks, that's what I was afraid of. We may have to rehome the extra rooster to the crock pot.

 

[Sublight]

I wonder if I should put all 4 into the big pen. I have a 2 year old rooster, that MAY come to the girls rescue if they are beign chased by the other rooster thought right?

I wonder if the big rooster will injure the silkie roosters?

 

[lazy gardener]

No, the big roo is not likely to take interest in the cockerel/pullet drama. And he very well might injure the silkie cockerel. But, you might want to try putting the pullets into the pen with the other adults. A good roo will leave the pullets alone until they are sexually mature. all depends on your set up and coop/run size, as well as flock dynamics.

 

[Sublight]

Thanks guys for the help!