2 many roosters in the hen house.

[Teisha888]

I'm very sad today. I had to re-home my 7 month old roo that I hatched from egg. The problem was, I already had a 19 month old rooster from a prior hatch. Hatched him from egg too and he was the dominant one (obviously). I only have 6 hens and I cannot free range due to predators. I have a rollable coop so they get fresh ground daily. The dominant roo would not allow the younger one to crow, would not let him mate the hens and would never let him partake in the scraps I would put out. As of recent, he began chasing him around the coop to where he had to perch 90% of the day. I found a lady 3 miles from me that had a free range flock of 150 chickens and only 5 roosters, so she took him in. As soon as I dropped him off, he started battling it out with one of her roosters. I feel so bad for having to give him away, but I thought it was what was best for my flock. Opinions? Can someone make me feel better?

 

[LaFleche]

I'm very sad today. I had to re-home my 7 month old roo that I hatched from egg. The problem was, I already had a 19 month old rooster from a prior hatch. Hatched him from egg too and he was the dominant one (obviously). I only have 6 hens and I cannot free range due to predators. I have a rollable coop so they get fresh ground daily. The dominant roo would not allow the younger one to crow, would not let him mate the hens and would never let him partake in the scraps I would put out. As of recent, he began chasing him around the coop to where he had to perch 90% of the day. I found a lady 3 miles from me that had a free range flock of 150 chickens and only 5 roosters, so she took him in. As soon as I dropped him off, he started battling it out with one of her roosters. I feel so bad for having to give him away, but I thought it was what was best for my flock. Opinions? Can someone make me feel better?

You did the right thing, and after a few days of adjusting to his new surroundings he will enjoy his new found freedom and all the hens!

 

[Skyle]

You did the best thing you could do, he will soon get his place in the pecking order and a group of his own ladies. He will for sure love his new home.

 

[sourland]

You did the right thing for him and your flock.

 

[Folly's place]

I agree with everyone, he needed a new home, and you found him a place that may work out very well.
Extra cockerels are tough, because they have to leave and it's hard.
Mary

 

[aart]

One way to never have to do that again is to not hatch.

 

[Folly's place]

Never hatching, especially without a plan for those cockerels, a very good idea. However, ordering chicks often brings in unexpected cockerels too. Best to have a plan either way, something we all learn through experience.
Mary

 

[Mrs. K]

Sad? you need to be shouting for joy! That bird gets to live a good life with space and adequate hens. You hatched him out, and have given him a good chance at a good life.

Giving away roosters is hard, not because they are gone in your flock, but because it is hard to find a place to give them too. You will enjoy your flock more because it will be much more peaceful. Always solve for peace in your flock. Your hens will relax and so will the remaining rooster. I don't like to watch or have in my flock a bird that is not fitting in the flock or accepted. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth and I don't enjoy it. You stopped that behavior by

• giving the cockerel a good chance in a better set up for HIM
• restoring peace in your own flock

Win, win

Mrs K

 

[edleng]

I'm very sad today. I had to re-home my 7 month old roo that I hatched from egg. The problem was, I already had a 19 month old rooster from a prior hatch. Hatched him from egg too and he was the dominant one (obviously). I only have 6 hens and I cannot free range due to predators. I have a rollable coop so they get fresh ground daily. The dominant roo would not allow the younger one to crow, would not let him mate the hens and would never let him partake in the scraps I would put out. As of recent, he began chasing him around the coop to where he had to perch 90% of the day. I found a lady 3 miles from me that had a free range flock of 150 chickens and only 5 roosters, so she took him in. As soon as I dropped him off, he started battling it out with one of her roosters. I feel so bad for having to give him away, but I thought it was what was best for my flock. Opinions? Can someone make me feel better?

I hatch. Seems I eat more roosters than hens.
½ to ¾ hours steaming under pressure and you wouldn't know it from a hen but for the huge breast and long leg bone.

 

[Teisha888]

Sad? you need to be shouting for joy! That bird gets to live a good life with space and adequate hens. You hatched him out, and have given him a good chance at a good life.

Giving away roosters is hard, not because they are gone in your flock, but because it is hard to find a place to give them too. You will enjoy your flock more because it will be much more peaceful. Always solve for peace in your flock. Your hens will relax and so will the remaining rooster. I don't like to watch or have in my flock a bird that is not fitting in the flock or accepted. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth and I don't enjoy it. You stopped that behavior by

• giving the cockerel a good chance in a better set up for HIM
• restoring peace in your own flock

Win, win

Mrs K

Thank you so very much!