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Fratricide

post #1 of 3
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I have a flock of 26 rir, sex links and barred rocks that are 17 weeks old.  There were 7 roosters in that flock. Today I let out all the girls to freerange and left the boys in the coop/run so the girls would not have to worry about being jumped all the time while they were out.  I sat out with them all afternoon and ran into the house for a minute to get a drink.  As soon as I hit the kitchen, I heard noises and ran out to see that 5 roos had ganged up on the self appointed head roo, Mr. Big, and killed him.  I was very shocked at how fast it happened.  Why would they do this?  They have all been raised together since they were a day old.  We were going to keep Mr. Big as he was shaping up to be a nice rooster.  How do we choose a good roo from the remaining boys?  Will the killing continue as I notice one of the ringleaders is going after another roo.  We plan on processing 2 more roos this weekend.  Help!  This is our first experience with roos and we want to keep 1 or 2 so we have a self sustaining flock. 

Mom of 3 girls, 1 lab, 1 calico cat, 4 barred rocks, 4 wyandottes and 4 very spoiled blue silkies! Love my cheeps!

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Mom of 3 girls, 1 lab, 1 calico cat, 4 barred rocks, 4 wyandottes and 4 very spoiled blue silkies! Love my cheeps!

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post #2 of 3

Sorry about Mr. Big! I don't think 5 roosters would ever be a good idea -- they'll probably keep fighting each other until there's just 1 or 2 left. Everything I've read, and everyone I talk to, says that 1 rooster is best, but if you really want multiples, then never have more than 2.

:: Blue Muse Farm :: from our backyard to your belly!

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:: Blue Muse Farm :: from our backyard to your belly!

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post #3 of 3

I'm so sorry.  I think you just have too many roosters for the number of hens you have.  I would keep just one. 

Liz, wife, mom to 4 boys and  "food lady" to a mix of mostly Ameraucanas & EE's with a few oddball breeds for fun. :) 

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Liz, wife, mom to 4 boys and  "food lady" to a mix of mostly Ameraucanas & EE's with a few oddball breeds for fun. :) 

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