3 Roosters - 5 Hens

[HyLinda]

I have 3 roosters and 5 hens, hatched mid-April. They were all getting along fine until recently. Now when one rooster is mating a hen, the other two jump on her, one right after the other and the hen can't seem to get up right away. I was think of putting 2 of the roosters in a bachelor pen until I decide which one I want to keep. Any ideas?

 

[Illia]

Yeah, when I had my boys all mixed and mingled with the girls, that sort of "chain" happened ALL the time. . . .

So, I now have a bachelor pad. If I want someone paired, I've got a breeding pen to stick them temporarily in. But, of course, you can do with yours what you want. I simply do this with mine to have working breeding programs going on.

 

[HyLinda]

So 2 roosters in 1 pen won't kill each other or be driven crazy by the free-ranging ladies?

 

[Illia]

If they've grown up together and get along fairly well, they will be fine if stuck with each other. Just yesterday and for months before that, I've had over 10 roosters in my bachelor pad. The most that happens is someone being at the bottom of the "totem pole" and getting pecked or chased now and then.

 

[Catstar68]

Quote:
Just make sure you furnish the bachelor pad with rooster-appropriate furnishings like couches found behind dumpsters at college, a futon with questionable and semi-identifiable stains, milk-crate bookcases and tack up some centerfolds from McMurray and Cackle Hatchery catalogs. They should be fine.

 

[HyLinda]

Quote:
Just make sure you furnish the bachelor pad with rooster-appropriate furnishings like couches found behind dumpsters at college, a futon with questionable and semi-identifiable stains, milk-crate bookcases and tack up some centerfolds from McMurray and cackle hatchery catalogs. They should be fine.

 

[sourland]

When roosters gang breed hens, there is always the potential for physical damage to the hens. For the safety of the hens, I would definately remove two of the roosters. They will complain and be a little unhappy, but the hens will be safer and far more content.

 

[HyLinda]

When I get home tonight, I'm going to grab two of them in their sleep and put them in the Bachelor Pad

 

[NHchicks]

Maybe you could rotate the roosters stuck in the bachelor pad, so they all get a chance to get out.

I'm in the stage of deciding between 2 roosters too. I'm thinking I may just get rid of both of them - don't really need a rooster until brooding time in the spring anyway...

 

[HyLinda]

That's a good idea - then I can see which one is the best for the hens.