2 Roos?

[Ma Noob]

Grrr stupid internet, just made a big post and it dropped out on me.

Anyway. We had 8 chooks but have lost 4 in cat attacks, at least 3 have been hens. That has left us with 2 roos and 2 hens. We are going to get some more but we are wanting to wait until the cat issue settles (its not even our cat, we dont own cats) before we get anymore pullets.

In one of the cat attacks one of the roos was hit. No obvious wounds but it had a bad limp and was very unsteady when walking. He didnt appear in any severe pain, he walks to get food and drinks, pecs and what not, seems quite happy, Doesnt seem fazed at all, he just sits more often than not and is unsteady when walking. This happened well over a week ago and he doesnt seem to be any better with his movement so im thinking this might be a perminant disability.

So im now wondering, will it be possible to keep the two roos, as he doesnt really look like he will be able to be too dominant. Im still holding out hope that the other roo is acutally a hen. but im cluctching at straws LOL.

Has anyone else been in this sort of situation? What are your thoughts?

Cheers all!

 

[lauralou]

First of all, so sorry to hear that you lost half your chickens. Wretched cat! My cat adores the chickens (they ignore her) so I've never been in that situation.

I have had a chicken with a mysterious limp before. No signs of any injury whatsoever. I figured she pulled a muscle and just let her be. Eventually she healed and now she is fine. I hope that your roo will recover in time.

As far as the keeping of two roos. Sure it can work out. Especially if they were raised together. The disabled roo will probably be submissive to the other one. Or who knows, maybe not. But one will likely be the dominant one, and there may be a few squabbles, but nothing too dreadful. Just keep an eye on them, and if the one that is hurt seems to be getting the worst end of the deal, you may have to separate them.

More hens would definitely be a good idea, but I agree that you should get the cat situation under control first. Good luck with all of it.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Only time will tell. If you can post a picture we might be able to tell you if the last one is a roo or pullet. That might help you. In any case, I would not do anything drastic until I knew what I had for sure.

If the injured roo is acting like he is in no pain and is eating and drinking OK, I'd leave him alone. Many animals learn to get on quite well with a permanent injury. It doesn't necessarily slow them down.

It sounds like yours are still pretty young. Since they are growing up together, if you do have two roos, it is very possible they can learn to coexist and share the rooster duties in the flock. It's also possible that one will kill the other when the hormones get to raging. You cannot tell for sure what will happen. I've always had more than one rooster in my small flock when they go through that adolescent hormones phase, usually one older one and several young ones. I've never had one kill the other or even seen a lot of serious fighting. They do sort things out but it is usually not very violent, I think because they are raised together, either as brothers or father-son.

As far as two roosters with two pullets. It is possible that the pullets will wind up barebacked or injured from overmating, especially when they go through that adolescent hormones phase. Some people with 3 roosters and 2 hens do not have that problem and some people with 1 rooster and 18 hens have problems. The hen to rooster ratio is not guarantee about whether that will happen or not, but the fewer hens you have with each rooster, the more likely it is to happen. There are a lot of things that go into whether a hen becomes barebacked or not. In my opinion, hen to rooster ratio is one of thoise factors, but it is a pretty small factor compared to some other things. I'd suggest you be on the lookout for the problem but don't overworry unless you actually have the problem.

You asked for thoughts, so here are mine. Good luck!

PS: Lauralou, again we are typing at the same time. We've got to quit meeting like this.

 

[Ma Noob]

Thats what I was hoping that they would be able to co-exist together, I have lost enough chooks already, i dont want to have to get rid of another. I posted a pic already ad everyone said roo, it did get a red crop early but it has no chin dangles, thats why im hoping LOL

We do intend getting more hens, just need to sort out the cats first, and find some around town. Will probably get some closer to POL so we hopefully wont have the same cat trouble.

Thanks for your advice, Guess will just have to see what time brings.

 

[Ridgerunner]

There is no guarantee they will be able to coexist together but I think your odds are pretty good. They are living animals and anything can happen.

 

[rcentner]

I have 4 roos that co-exist rather well, occaisionally one of my bantams gets run off by my wyandotte, but no fighting and they all roost together at night. You must have enough hens to keep them busy, but works out well if they are raised together. (and not old english game chickens)

as far as the cat....hav a heart traps, they have live traps at TSC. Place something real stinky like sardines in there and they will go for it (if not the 1st night, then the next). What to do with the cat after you trap it can be a rough decision. Some places will take them, neuter/spay and re-release into a colony somehwere. Some places euthanize them. Or some people do the irresponsible thing and release them into someone else's neighborhood, now someone elses problem. Please dont do that. Catch the cat and be responsible about it please. any how that thing has got to go

 

[Ma Noob]

Quote:
Here you can only get cat traps from council and they have to empty them, if you empty them you can get in a bit of trouble for cruelty to animals so they can deal with the bloody thing. Even my son has a vendetta against the cat so probably best council deal with it

 

[rcentner]

I meant live traps..should be no blood involved. Just a kitty hanging out waiting for you to open the door and let them out. you lost me a bit there. I am guessing you are not in america?

 

[Ma Noob]

Nope not in America, im in Australia. Here feral cats are a fair problem, especially where we are boardering on the outback. They grow quite large and are quite destructive to native birds. Im 99% sure the cat in question belongs down the road, but unfortunaly they are not responsible pet owners, far from it, and because its allowed to do what it wants its gone a bit feral.

Just a shame there arent the restrictions on cat owners here like there are for dogs.

The traps that council provide (im guessing our council would be like your countys would be perhaps?) are live traps but you have to be a bit careful and make sure council collect them. I have heard of people getting in a bit of bother for popping the trap in the boot of the car LOL