Just when you think all is going well.......

[Cliodhna]

Everything has been going swimmingly, all 10 chicks outside, the welsummers (now 15 weeks) the ss and hybrid (now 12 weeks) all free ranging and getting on well, no bickering at all, and the other 5 mixed (now 9 weeks) in a coop with run inside the free range area... great...

then yesterday I looked out the window and could see a bit of a commotion, one speckled sussex (the one I suspect is a male) was attacking the other speckled sussex (his clutch mate). It looked as though she was bowing down submissively to him (but she may have been trying to peck his legs) but he didnt leave it there. He chased her all around the garden really going for her. I eventually got him to leave her alone and she just lay on the ground. I've checked her over and she had a nasty cut on her face (narrowly missing her eye) and her comb was torn slightly. I've put on the purple antiseptic stuff and it seems to have started healing over night.

However, the flock now seems to be in disarray, lots of bumping chests and hackles raised.

Now, I'm not certain he's a male, no sign of any spurs and he hasnt crowed, but he's huge, and he has a larger comb than she does.

She was the dominant female (she seems very subdued now and is hanging back when it comes to food etc) but didnt particularly bully anyone.

I'm quite worried about her now, she is taking herself off on her own and is avoiding the group.

so, if he is a male, is he likely to attack her again?

 

[Marigold]

If he's one if the 12-week-old ones and is doing this already, he's pretty sure to be a male and unlikely to become any more sweet-natured as he matures. But he might make some good soup?

 

[Poultryman]

Males aren't the only ones that can be aggressive. I have many aggressive females among my flock. Some hens can always get pecked on because they appear sick or weaker, or they have a different color from the rest. If it becomes a big issue, you should separate the weak one.

 

[chrismahon]

We'd eat the potential cockerel Cliodhna. We don't tolerate any bad natures in our flocks, even if that's our breeding set. I'd certainly separate 'it' and not the hen injured hen. Fighting may be repeated.

Sounds like these are all unsexed birds so in a few weeks all hell will break loose.

I'd advise that cockerels destined for the pot should be separated to a small pen to limit their movement, otherwise they get tough.