If you have too many roosters, a simple solution is to start a rooster flock. A rooster flock is a flock that consists of all roosters and no hens.
How do Rooster-Only Flocks Work?
You may think the idea of a rooster flock is ridiculous. After all, if a rooster fights with another rooster when there’s a bunch of hens around, wouldn’t he get into even more fights if there’s just roosters? The truth is the opposite. Roosters without hens have much less of a reason to fight, since they don’t have hens who they otherwise would feel the need to guard from other roosters. When roosters in a rooster-only flock do fight, it’s often much less aggressive than fights that can happen in mixed flocks.
Feeding and Watering Your Rooster Flock
If you have more than two roosters in your rooster flock, it's a good idea to have multiple feeders and waterers. Two or three feeders and two waterers is a good amount for most of these flocks. However, depending on the dynamics and size of your flock, those numbers may need to be added to (or even subtracted from if the extra feeders are unused). Observe your birds and see if any are kept away from food or seem to be overly hungry and adjust as needed. Keep in mind that it’s not always even necessary to have multiple feeders and waterers, especially if you keep your feeder full or have easy going roosters.
To feed your roosters, many people recommend flock raiser, grower, all flock, or another similar feed instead of layer feed. Roosters (and other non-laying birds, such as young pullets and old or molting hens) don't need the extra calcium in layer feeds, and it can damage them if fed for long term.
Introducing New Roosters to Your Rooster Flock
There are a few different ways to introduce new roosters into your existing flock. One way is to simply put the new rooster in the pen and watch to make sure the other birds don't beat on him too much. When you have less roosters in your flock, this method is more successful. It also works better if you have generally mild mannered or younger roosters.
Another method of integrating roosters into your rooster flock involves putting them into a smaller cage within the main bachelor pen. I have had success with this method, and it's been helpful when the above method didn't work. It's usually necessary when you have a larger number of roosters or a more assertive flock.
I usually only keep the rooster(s) in the smaller cage for a day or two, but if you feel that they need to be in there longer, then go ahead! I find that a large dog crate is usually sufficient when adding new roosters using this method. Make sure the birds can’t fight with the one(s) in the cage, as they could damage their combs or feet.
Most of the time I find that it's better to add new roosters to your rooster flock while they're free-ranging. This way the new rooster(s) can easily get away from the others. It also prevents all the original chickens from ganging up on the new one and injuring him more than necessary.
Even if you have a large run, or if you can't free-range your roosters at all, they will still be fine as long as you take the proper precautions, such as the cage in the pen method, as well as keeping a closer eye on your birds for a couple days after the new guy(s) are introduced.
If you're afraid that your roosters are being too rough with the newbie(s), remember that comb and wattle wounds often look a lot worst than they actually are. Just like in a flock of hens, the newest members are picked on a little more than is really needed to establish the pecking order. While they're getting to know each other, your roosters will fight, it's just a normal way for them to figure out their ranks.
If you are still worried, don't hesitate to check up on the new flock member(s) and maybe even clean off their comb a bit if it needs it. I usually do this right after introduction, so I can also check to make sure the new rooster is not injured in any other way.
Remember to always quarantine new members of your flock. It’s recommended to quarantine new chickens in a separate pen for at least a month or longer if necessary.
How to Deal With Bullies
In a rooster flock, a few fights to establish the pecking order are perfectly normal. But, if a rooster is constantly attacking and/or chasing another rooster and not leaving him alone, you might need to intervene.
Roosters will bully each other for a variety of reasons. Sometimes the pen is too small, and they're fighting because of stress due to lack of space. Or, the bully is a young rooster who wants to dominate the older roosters that once bullied him. It could be that your bully is just overly assertive, or has a feud against another bird in your flock.
There are several ways to deal with a bully rooster. One way is to separate him for a little while from the rest of the flock. When he's added back in, usually within a week or so, he will have to establish his rank in the flock all over again and learn his place, thus causing him to forget about the other rooster (and mature a little if he is a young and overly aggressive cockerel). Another way to deal with bullies is to expand the roosters' pen and/or add more feeders and waterers. Your rooster pen should have at least as much space as you'd give the same number of hens.
It usually takes a while for a new rooster to be fully accepted by the rest of the flock. For instance, I added a new cockerel to my flock and he got bullied for around two weeks before they fully accepted him. He still occasionally gets pecked or chased, but it's only to remind him what position he is at in the pecking order. Again, short, occasional scuffles are normal in a rooster flock.
Questions & Answers
Q- Will roosters fight more without any hens around?
A- Roosters in a rooster-only flock actually tend to fight less than those in a mixed flock of hens and roosters.
Q- Can bantams and large fowl roosters be kept together in a bachelor pad?
A- In my experience, yes. Though it does depend heavily on the space available to the flock and the temperaments of the roosters (especially the large fowl ones).
Q- Will roosters in a rooster flock become more aggressive towards people?
A- No. I actually had a rooster who was less aggressive once he didn’t have hens to “protect”.
Q- Can I free range my rooster flock at the same time as the hens?
A- No. In some cases people have had it work, but I would not recommend it. Instead, try free ranging your flocks on alternating days.
Q- Are rooster flocks loud?
A- Yes. They’ll either be as loud as or slightly quieter than the same amount of roosters would be separated from each other. In some cases the top rooster does most of the crowing and the rest stay quiet, but that should not be relied upon.
Q- How much space does a rooster flock need?
A- They should always have as much space as you’d give an equal number of hens. If you can, more is always better.
Q- Aren’t rooster flocks unnatural?
A- It’s actually been found that wild junglefowl roosters, the ancestors of modern chickens, willingly spend time together without any hens around.
Thanks for reading my article! If you have any questions, feel free to ask them on this thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/rooster-flock-thread.1221382/
How do Rooster-Only Flocks Work?
You may think the idea of a rooster flock is ridiculous. After all, if a rooster fights with another rooster when there’s a bunch of hens around, wouldn’t he get into even more fights if there’s just roosters? The truth is the opposite. Roosters without hens have much less of a reason to fight, since they don’t have hens who they otherwise would feel the need to guard from other roosters. When roosters in a rooster-only flock do fight, it’s often much less aggressive than fights that can happen in mixed flocks.
Feeding and Watering Your Rooster Flock
If you have more than two roosters in your rooster flock, it's a good idea to have multiple feeders and waterers. Two or three feeders and two waterers is a good amount for most of these flocks. However, depending on the dynamics and size of your flock, those numbers may need to be added to (or even subtracted from if the extra feeders are unused). Observe your birds and see if any are kept away from food or seem to be overly hungry and adjust as needed. Keep in mind that it’s not always even necessary to have multiple feeders and waterers, especially if you keep your feeder full or have easy going roosters.
To feed your roosters, many people recommend flock raiser, grower, all flock, or another similar feed instead of layer feed. Roosters (and other non-laying birds, such as young pullets and old or molting hens) don't need the extra calcium in layer feeds, and it can damage them if fed for long term.
Introducing New Roosters to Your Rooster Flock
There are a few different ways to introduce new roosters into your existing flock. One way is to simply put the new rooster in the pen and watch to make sure the other birds don't beat on him too much. When you have less roosters in your flock, this method is more successful. It also works better if you have generally mild mannered or younger roosters.
Another method of integrating roosters into your rooster flock involves putting them into a smaller cage within the main bachelor pen. I have had success with this method, and it's been helpful when the above method didn't work. It's usually necessary when you have a larger number of roosters or a more assertive flock.
I usually only keep the rooster(s) in the smaller cage for a day or two, but if you feel that they need to be in there longer, then go ahead! I find that a large dog crate is usually sufficient when adding new roosters using this method. Make sure the birds can’t fight with the one(s) in the cage, as they could damage their combs or feet.
Most of the time I find that it's better to add new roosters to your rooster flock while they're free-ranging. This way the new rooster(s) can easily get away from the others. It also prevents all the original chickens from ganging up on the new one and injuring him more than necessary.
Even if you have a large run, or if you can't free-range your roosters at all, they will still be fine as long as you take the proper precautions, such as the cage in the pen method, as well as keeping a closer eye on your birds for a couple days after the new guy(s) are introduced.
If you're afraid that your roosters are being too rough with the newbie(s), remember that comb and wattle wounds often look a lot worst than they actually are. Just like in a flock of hens, the newest members are picked on a little more than is really needed to establish the pecking order. While they're getting to know each other, your roosters will fight, it's just a normal way for them to figure out their ranks.
If you are still worried, don't hesitate to check up on the new flock member(s) and maybe even clean off their comb a bit if it needs it. I usually do this right after introduction, so I can also check to make sure the new rooster is not injured in any other way.
Remember to always quarantine new members of your flock. It’s recommended to quarantine new chickens in a separate pen for at least a month or longer if necessary.
How to Deal With Bullies
In a rooster flock, a few fights to establish the pecking order are perfectly normal. But, if a rooster is constantly attacking and/or chasing another rooster and not leaving him alone, you might need to intervene.
Roosters will bully each other for a variety of reasons. Sometimes the pen is too small, and they're fighting because of stress due to lack of space. Or, the bully is a young rooster who wants to dominate the older roosters that once bullied him. It could be that your bully is just overly assertive, or has a feud against another bird in your flock.
There are several ways to deal with a bully rooster. One way is to separate him for a little while from the rest of the flock. When he's added back in, usually within a week or so, he will have to establish his rank in the flock all over again and learn his place, thus causing him to forget about the other rooster (and mature a little if he is a young and overly aggressive cockerel). Another way to deal with bullies is to expand the roosters' pen and/or add more feeders and waterers. Your rooster pen should have at least as much space as you'd give the same number of hens.
It usually takes a while for a new rooster to be fully accepted by the rest of the flock. For instance, I added a new cockerel to my flock and he got bullied for around two weeks before they fully accepted him. He still occasionally gets pecked or chased, but it's only to remind him what position he is at in the pecking order. Again, short, occasional scuffles are normal in a rooster flock.
Questions & Answers
Q- Will roosters fight more without any hens around?
A- Roosters in a rooster-only flock actually tend to fight less than those in a mixed flock of hens and roosters.
Q- Can bantams and large fowl roosters be kept together in a bachelor pad?
A- In my experience, yes. Though it does depend heavily on the space available to the flock and the temperaments of the roosters (especially the large fowl ones).
Q- Will roosters in a rooster flock become more aggressive towards people?
A- No. I actually had a rooster who was less aggressive once he didn’t have hens to “protect”.
Q- Can I free range my rooster flock at the same time as the hens?
A- No. In some cases people have had it work, but I would not recommend it. Instead, try free ranging your flocks on alternating days.
Q- Are rooster flocks loud?
A- Yes. They’ll either be as loud as or slightly quieter than the same amount of roosters would be separated from each other. In some cases the top rooster does most of the crowing and the rest stay quiet, but that should not be relied upon.
Q- How much space does a rooster flock need?
A- They should always have as much space as you’d give an equal number of hens. If you can, more is always better.
Q- Aren’t rooster flocks unnatural?
A- It’s actually been found that wild junglefowl roosters, the ancestors of modern chickens, willingly spend time together without any hens around.
Thanks for reading my article! If you have any questions, feel free to ask them on this thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/rooster-flock-thread.1221382/
