So about two weeks ago we had some cockerels dumped on our property and we were only able to catch one. I separated him via dog crate in our coop, hens could see and be near him but get at him.
I have no other roosters. I have a handful of 4yr old hens and a handful of hens from this spring. And two ducks.
As we came on two weeks separation, I let him out to scratch around in the grass and the older hens will not stop going at him, he attacks them back (self defense mostly I think).
What’s normal here? Should I keep him separated longer? How long does it take for everyone to “work it out themselves”?
This is my first time having a cockerel, I’ve had no interest in having one before and I’ve been lucky enough to never get one in my pullet picks. But since he wandered onto our property I figured id give it a try.
Btw he is a silkie/frizzle of sorts, so he’s much smaller than most my hens.
I have no other roosters. I have a handful of 4yr old hens and a handful of hens from this spring. And two ducks.
As we came on two weeks separation, I let him out to scratch around in the grass and the older hens will not stop going at him, he attacks them back (self defense mostly I think).
What’s normal here? Should I keep him separated longer? How long does it take for everyone to “work it out themselves”?
This is my first time having a cockerel, I’ve had no interest in having one before and I’ve been lucky enough to never get one in my pullet picks. But since he wandered onto our property I figured id give it a try.
Btw he is a silkie/frizzle of sorts, so he’s much smaller than most my hens.
