5 Roosters, who has to go?

[minionmom22]

We got 8 chicks which were our very first group of chickens. However we ended up with 5 roosters and are struggling with who to get rid of. Our daughter gets very emotional when we discuss needing to remove some of the roosters! Oh, I will not kill any of them myself nor have it done for me and have them returned to eat. I just can't do it!

 

[LizzzyJo]

How old are they? Once they reach their teens you will know who should go. And you may find yourself feeling differently about taking one out. Especially if they go against your daughter.

Wait it out!

 

[Sussex19]

We got 8 chicks which were our very first group of chickens. However we ended up with 5 roosters and are struggling with who to get rid of. Our daughter gets very emotional when we discuss needing to remove some of the roosters! Oh, I will not kill any of them myself nor have it done for me and have them returned to eat. I just can't do it!

Welcome to BYC!
How old are they? If they are still young, then it might take a while for their temperaments to settle down, and you don't want to keep one which is going to be attacking you or anyone.
Its totally fine to not want to eat them, (I know my own limitations) but if you give them away you need to understand that they may get eaten by someone else.

 

[Tookie]

Hello and welcome to BYC!
Good luck with your cockerels!

 

[kcan2]

I have heard of peaceful bachelor flocks being kept separate from the hens. There are many searchable threads on BYC that go into more detail about this type of setup. Maybe this is an option for you and your boys!

 

[LizzzyJo]

Totally true that bachelor flocks are possible, but they need to be away from hens and with a first time flock I’m wondering how much infrastructure is in play here.

Also, in order to keep even one roo with hens he/she is going to need to get 5 or so more hens.

 

[minionmom22]

How old are they? Once they reach their teens you will know who should go. And you may find yourself feeling differently about taking one out. Especially if they go against your daughter.

Wait it out!

They are 6 months old so is that far from being a teen in chicken years??

 

[LizzzyJo]

They are 6 months old so is that far from being a teen in chicken years??

No, that’s pretty old! Is anyone fighting or mating? Overmating of the hens is a concern.

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC. Is it possible for you to house them separately from your hens. If not, then you may need to explain to your daughter that keeping too many roosters may injure your pullets.

 

[Sussex19]

They are 6 months old so is that far from being a teen in chicken years??

That is just the age when hormones hit.
Starting at 4 to 6 mouths is when the they becomes teens, and they are only fully grown at around a year.