5 chicks turned out to be 3 roosters and 2 hens - What do I do?

[meepANDpeep]

I’ve grown out 5 chicks - 2 that I hatched and 3 that I got at 1 day old. They’re my first chickens and I’m very attached, and they’ve grown up together. They’re my pets, and they even lived in my room for most of their life to date.

Now that they’re older I’m starting to be able to tell which are roosters and which are hens. 2 have crowed already. And a third is also definitely a rooster. Two of them are almost certainly hens. All of the chicks are either silkies or silkie mixes, however, so I suppose I could always be surprised.

They all seem to be docile and get along. But I know they’re still young (less than 2 months). I was wondering if anyone had luck with raising a backward hen/rooster ratio like this if they were raised from birth. I’ve bonded with all of them and I’d hate to have to part with any. Three of them even imprinted pretty hard on me and used to follow my finger like ducklings. Those three have grown up to be lap chickens and just die for pets (they love to be pet!). Two of those three are roosters.

Again, if anyone has had success making a ratio like this work, I’m all ears.

 

[Cheese_Quackers]

I’ve grown out 5 chicks - 2 that I hatched and 3 that I got at 1 day old. They’re my first chickens and I’m very attached, and they’ve grown up together. They’re my pets, and they even lived in my room for most of their life to date.

Now that they’re older I’m starting to be able to tell which are roosters and which are hens. 2 have crowed already. And a third is also definitely a rooster. Two of them are almost certainly hens. All of the chicks are either silkies or silkie mixes, however, so I suppose I could always be surprised.

They all seem to be docile and get along. But I know they’re still young (less than 2 months). I was wondering if anyone had luck with raising a backward hen/rooster ratio like this if they were raised from birth. I’ve bonded with all of them and I’d hate to have to part with any. Three of them even imprinted pretty hard on me and used to follow my finger like ducklings. Those three have grown up to be lap chickens and just die for pets (they love to be pet!). Two of those three are roosters.

Again, if anyone has had success making a ratio like this work, I’m all ears.

Separate the roos. They will fight for dominance, and most likely end up killing each other. I'm sorry but it is about the only thing you can do. The females will be fine with any.

 

[MadamContrary]

Yes a bachelor pad for the boys if you really want to keep them. They'll fight less if there's no females to fight over, and make sure they have lots of space as well. It's not fair to the hens to keep them with so many males, they will be over-mated and injured. I know you love them, but it would be sensible to place an adoption ad sooner rather than later so they can go on to be roosters to a flock of thier own.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I had two roos the same age and 15 hens, and they all have bald backs. They free range, too. That ratio will not work.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I keep an odd number of roosters, & hens, & have very few problems. But there maybe a slight issue with your number there.

Adding 2-3 more ladies could help, if you wanna keep a odd number flock.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Be sure too have hen saddles if they breed the ladies very frequently? Also make sure non of the boys are aggressive, or really rough.

 

[MysteryChicken]

A bachelor pad is also a good idea. I want to set one up, but haven't had the time, or chance to do so.

 

[cmom]

As long as they were raised together they will probably be ok. I have some multiple males in with females and no issues but if you do have issues then you will have to separate them once their hormones kick in. The problems I have had in the past with multiple males in with females is they will compete for the females and even try to mate with one female at the same time. One will jump on the female and a male see it then he will try to get on her too. Then I move the males to bachelor coops and pens.

 

[Mrs. K]

When they are all getting along, it is so easy to wish and hope that they will continue to do so. A couple of points to remember:

• being raised together has almost no influence in long term chicken behavior
• MORE space is better, with hide out that birds can get out of sight of each other
• it will work out, until it doesn't, have plan B set up and ready to go
• love and enjoy them as long as you can,
• the pullets will need protection
• roosters, even raised together, even ones that love to be pets can become very aggressive and attack pullets and people
• their relationship to you, and being raised in the flock will be of little influence when the hormones start.

I would not try this, I like my chickens, and I love a peaceful flock.

Mrs K

 

[meepANDpeep]

Separate the roos. They will fight for dominance, and most likely end up killing each other. I'm sorry but it is about the only thing you can do. The females will be fine with any.

Yes a bachelor pad for the boys if you really want to keep them. They'll fight less if there's no females to fight over, and make sure they have lots of space as well. It's not fair to the hens to keep them with so many males, they will be over-mated and injured. I know you love them, but it would be sensible to place an adoption ad sooner rather than later so they can go on to be roosters to a flock of thier own.

I had two roos the same age and 15 hens, and they all have bald backs. They free range, too. That ratio will not work.

I keep an odd number of roosters, & hens, & have very few problems. But there maybe a slight issue with your number there.

Adding 2-3 more ladies could help, if you wanna keep a odd number flock.

Be sure too have hen saddles if they breed the ladies very frequently? Also make sure non of the boys are aggressive, or really rough.

As long as they were raised together they will probably be ok. I have some multiple males in with females and no issues but if you do have issues then you will have to separate them once their hormones kick in. The problems I have had in the past with multiple males in with females is they will compete for the females and even try to mate with one female at the same time. One will jump on the female and a male see it then he will try to get on her too. Then I move the males to bachelor coops and pens.

When they are all getting along, it is so easy to wish and hope that they will continue to do so. A couple of points to remember:

• being raised together has almost no influence in long term chicken behavior
• MORE space is better, with hide out that birds can get out of sight of each other
• it will work out, until it doesn't, have plan B set up and ready to go
• love and enjoy them as long as you can,
• the pullets will need protection
• roosters, even raised together, even ones that love to be pets can become very aggressive and attack pullets and people
• their relationship to you, and being raised in the flock will be of little influence when the hormones start.

I would not try this, I like my chickens, and I love a peaceful flock.

Mrs K

Thank you all for the excellent advice. It’s a lot to think about. Everyone had different experiences. I’ll have to watch them and see how they seem.

A bachelor pad does sound like something of interest because thus far they all seem to be docile little guys (all bantam; part silkie).

Anyone dealt with bantam breeds in particular and silkies and silkie mixes? Are they more amenable together?