Are roosters ok with chicks?

Tim&Meg H · **Joined:** Thu Dec 05, 2013 11:28 am **Posts:** 3

Hi I am new so questions are plenty.

I wanted to firstly know if a rooster can remain in the coop when mother hen hatches her babies?
Are the chicks safe around their father?
Will the rooster harm them?

I thought I need to ask before mother hatches them

Thank you
Meg

PoultryDan · **Posted:** Fri Dec 06, 2013 9:27 am

Hi Tim&Meg H and [smilie=welcome.gif]

I would keep the chicks and mother well away from the Rooster and other hens. A hen that has been away from the flock for some time, that has been sitting on eggs, will get usually harassed by the Rooster. Roosters can also do some real damage to young chicks and even other hens can attack young chicks. Have had young chicks die before from being attacked by other chooks

not good.

Some Roosters are can be very well behaved and leave nesting hens alone but none that I have kept! I always keep separate them now, until they are less fragile and haven't had any problems since, good question and good luck :-D

Tim&Meg H · **Joined:** Thu Dec 05, 2013 11:28 am **Posts:** 3

Ok thank you Dan I will take him out to be safe. How long does he need to be out?

Sebducks · **Joined:** Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:41 pm **Posts:** 812

Best to take the hen and her chicks out, I usually take them out until the chicks are feathered and self sufficient regarding warmth and of a reasonable size, sometimes 2-3 months out is required, alternatively you can take the chicks out and put them in a brooder leaving the hen with the rooster but personally I like to let the hen raise the chicks, less work for me and they do a good job teaching about scratching, grubs etc.

BokBokCoop · **Joined:** Sun Dec 08, 2013 12:44 pm **Posts:** 1

My little oeg bantams are all raised in the coop from birth but then my rooster is such a sweet heart and such a good dad and so are the other hens

PoultryDan · **Posted:** Sun Dec 08, 2013 7:52 pm

BokBokCoop

Tim&Meg H wrote:

Ok thank you Dan I will take him out to be safe. How long does he need to be out?

The chicks need to be able to handle what a Rooster is going to dish out as well as be able to run away, I agree with SebDucks about 2-3 months is a good time to allow them to mature a little.

Every Rooster will have a different attitude so you will have to play it by ear. Maybe try introducing them between some wire fencing first for a few days, so they get used to each other. Then supervise the encounters a few times, to see how they go before fully introducing them.

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

Every rooster is different, they can be quite gentle and protective to their family and attack humans if he sees you as threatening his family or they can harass the hen and attack the chicks, it depends how possessive he is and if he has other hens to keep him company.

If you don't know his personality keep mum and chicks away from him and the other chooks so mum can raise her young in peace.

PoultryDan · **Posted:** Tue Dec 10, 2013 1:22 pm

Awesome picture PP i_like1

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

PoultryDan wrote:

Awesome picture PP i_like1

Thank you, kindly

PoultryDan

Mr. Rooster was a very caring and protective husband and father to his family.

Tim&Meg H · **Joined:** Thu Dec 05, 2013 11:28 am **Posts:** 3

Very nice chooks you have I love that colour

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