one of my roo's has a crooked toe. Is it a birth defect or is it because another roo fought it ? min

[kacklinghen]

Some folks separate cockerels from pullets at 5-8 weeks to ensure pullets develop well. If I raise more than one cockerel in a batch of chicks, I pick my preferred cockerel at 4-5 months of age, and send the rest off for meat price, or if someone desires a good cockerel, I'll give them one or sell them one. You may be able to let it go a month or two longer with dual purpose breeds since they mature slower. If cockerels start posturing with others, and getting possessive of pullets, you know it is time to separate before injuries are likely to happen.

Thank you this was a big help since I am new to all this. I ordered from Stromberg's and they sent 5 cocks when I only wanted 1. My 3 older hens came from a farm and so far they rule coop and I needed to know age before the big challenge. The cooks are production.

 

[SunnySky]

Crooked toes can be either genetic or a result of temp or humidity fluctuations during incubation. I have a cockerel with a crooked toe (he's in my egg laying flock) I hatched some of his chicks for a friend and none had crooked toes. His was caused during incubation.

On a side note, you may not have to 'expect fights and injuries in the future' if you keep cockerels together. I have one pen with 6 cockerels in it, a second pen with 3 cockerels in it, and a 3rd pen with 2 cockerels in it. I have zero fighting among any of them. It's easier and safer to introduce them to each other while they're young vs older. I have only ever had 2 roosters fight. They both are no longer around.

 

[Michael Apple]

On a side note, you may not have to 'expect fights and injuries in the future' if you keep cockerels together. I have one pen with 6 cockerels in it, a second pen with 3 cockerels in it, and a 3rd pen with 2 cockerels in it. I have zero fighting among any of them. It's easier and safer to introduce them to each other while they're young vs older. I have only ever had 2 roosters fight. They both are no longer around.

Let them all mature together and see how long the peace lasts. You had two roosters fight. That wouldn't have happened if they had been separated. It is best to prevent problems rather than promote them.

 

[SunnySky]

 Let them all mature together and see how long the peace lasts. You had two roosters fight. That wouldn't have happened if they had been separated. It is best to prevent problems rather than promote them.

Yes, 2 roosters out of 13 lol. I certainly believe in prevention and most definitely don't promote problems. As a breeder and a farmer I'm not going to keep boys separate because they're boys. Those that can't get along disappear. Everyone has their own approach that works.

 

[Michael Apple]

Yes, 2 roosters out of 13 lol. I certainly believe in prevention and most definitely don't promote problems. As a breeder and a farmer I'm not going to keep boys separate because they're boys. Those that can't get along disappear. Everyone has their own approach that works.

You said they were cockerels, not roosters, in the previous post.

 

[kacklinghen]

You're welcome. That is common to get more than one cockerel in sexed chicks. Most people who breed will have breed pens set up to pair a rooster with some hens, so multiple penned areas are needed. In the 38 years I've become accustomed to raising birds, it has been a standard to separate cockerels before reaching sexual maturity for the reasons I mentioned previously. There are a variety of breed clubs that may interest you, depending on which breeds you prefer, with accomplished breeders who are quite knowledgeable about the particulars.

thank you that would be great

 

[kacklinghen]

Crooked toes can be either genetic or a result of temp or humidity fluctuations during incubation. I have a cockerel with a crooked toe (he's in my egg laying flock) I hatched some of his chicks for a friend and none had crooked toes. His was caused during incubation.

On a side note, you may not have to 'expect fights and injuries in the future' if you keep cockerels together. I have one pen with 6 cockerels in it, a second pen with 3 cockerels in it, and a 3rd pen with 2 cockerels in it. I have zero fighting among any of them. It's easier and safer to introduce them to each other while they're young vs older. I have only ever had 2 roosters fight. They both are no longer around.

They were raised together from baby chicks to now (14 weeks ) with pullets.