Roosters & Hens separated

MsK. I appreciate your opinion. As a dog rescuer for over twenty years I know too well the horrors that animals endure. when I take on the responsibility of an animal I don't take it lightly nor is that animal disposable. my chicken experience started with a rescued hen. the two pullets (or as I thought) were company for her and to begin establishing my flock. I took someone's word they were pullets. my ignorance for not being 100% sure of this. I am well aware of the problem before me but the difference here is animals ARE NOT disposable when they become an inconvenience to you and /or require you to make alternate plans. I will NOT give any chicken of mine over to someone that intends to consume him or her. everyone is entitled to their own choices in how and why they have chickens. I'm not judging anyone that raises their chickens for consumption. That is not or intention. We just wanted about 8 or so hens to have fresh eggs and those chickens will live out there life here well after their laying days are over. I would never consider housing an animal in a cage too small and isolated for any long period of time. the alternate coop is not inadequate for one chicken and it would be side by side with the others. our large coop is 8x12 with an outdoor area of 10x30 feet plus the underside of the coop for cover, etc. We have plenty of space for our chickens and our coop is built more like a house than a typical coop. my intentions of separating one roo is for the safety of the hen until I could find someone that will give him a good home or a sanctuary. animals are not disposable when they may cause you additional work or inconveniences. It's our responsibility once we take an animal to provide a safe haven for them and not toss them like trash when their is an issue that requires attention. I like this forum very much and have gained a lot of knowledge from viewing all the posts. I don't however appreciate being judged by someone that knows nothing about me and obviously doesn't share the same views or values of animals.

Minksroost I think Mrs k was saying something along the lines of you have a dog who doesn't like cats but gets along great with other dogs so you go to the shelter and they hand you a box and say there is a dog in there and you get home and it's a cat what to do? Do you lock the cat in the bedroom which is plenty enough room for a cat do do you let him go to bobs house where he has the run of the whole house tons of toys etc I personally would find the 1st roo another home but you have a good enough set up where you can take you're time and find them both good homes that they are happy at and your happy with them being there and when you get the hens I would also rehome the second roo

appreciate your response. this situation is my fault for not knowing what sex the chicks were. I've learned a valuable lesson but the chickens are now my responsibility and my intent in having chickens is for fresh eggs only. So rehoming would only be acceptable to the same home. If "Bob" was interested in my chicken I would want to see his situation and would have to feel very confident that he intended to give him a good home. It's not easy to rehome a roo. the only people that want them want them to eat, or fighting, at least those are all I've come across. my thought about putting one in a smaller tractor type coop was a temporary arrangement and not a long term solution. again I like this forum for all the information available as well as opinions. We all have our ways of doing things that meet our needs but I don't appreciate someone judging me when my sole concern is for this animal. I do feel her use of words were finger pointing and judgemental. using your analogy of dogs/cats and based on the comments by Msk her solution would be kill the cat. That's not the kind of person I am.

One thing you have to realize about BYC is alot of the members on this forum don't view their chickens as pets (but there are many, like you, who do). Since you've decided to separate the guy, can you look on Craigslist and find another hen to possibly house with him until you find an appropriate home? Either that, or house both of the roosters together until one is rehomed? Even if he's close to the other birds, he's still going to be alone, he wont have anyone to roost with and keep warm with at night, ect. And if the two boys share a fence line, you're likely to find them fighting thru it (which can lead to some pretty horrible injuries). Good luck with whatever you decide to do, just thought I'd throw a few more options out there!
Nikki

Thanks nikki. totally understand the "alone" and I had thought about him being alone at night. I know they are very social and would never want them to be lonely. but don't want them dead either. Good idea on another hen now but I have to quarantine the new hen for 2-4 wks before they can be together. but a good suggestion and much appreciated. I have found someone that has 14 hens and rescued a rooster because someone was going to shoot it. she like myself didn't really want a rooster. any way he is a little aggressive so she said she will divide her run and add a section to the back for roosting and put half her hens in there with "Pip", my chicken. they are her pets and for fresh eggs. might be a couple weeks to get it done but I feel like there is light at the end of the tunnel. until then we will work through this the best we can and give them lots of love. don't get me wrong either, I'm not judging anyone that chooses to raise chickens to eat. It's healthier than what you buy in the store and hopefully they had some quality of life. Thanks again!

Thats great glad you found a home that suits you looks like its gonna work out in the end