Another question....about the roos

[4H kids and mom]

At what age will I have to seperate the roos or get rid of them? They are almost 2 weeks old now. I dont want any messy fights breaking out and I know I cant keep that many roos together for very long. Just wondering if there's a 'standard cut off' I can watch for.

 

[BeckyLa]

My experience has been that when their combs get good and red and they begin crowing, that's the time to keep an eye on them. But remember, depending on the breed, any time now they will begin the pecking order routine and mock fighting. They'll go beak to beak with hackles out and heads bobbing up and down. They're really funny to watch. The pullets will do this, too, so don't get upset thinking your pullet is a cockerel if you see them doing the dance.

 

[4H kids and mom]

Yea they're starting to do the pecking order thing now. Standing tall, bobbin heads, bumpin chests, and even jumping at each other trying to spur them! Do you know when the combs start to come in? EE's and Ameraucanas are a pea comb breed (in case that helps)

 

[SpottedCrow]

Even hens will do the chestbumping and hackle spreading...
I had Penny on my lap the other day and Obelisk came up, spread her neck feathers and did the old rooster hop at her...
Having only had one rooster, and he was sweet, I can't tell you much about them.
But i would presume that once those old hormones kick in, all bets are off.

 

[speckledhen]

Like S.C. said, they all do that, not just the boys. I have 22 that are six weeks old, half boys and no one's gotten hurt yet. They are a hoot to watch, too. I have three Brahma chicks that are about six days younger in there, two are pullets for sure, one is questionable, and those three jump on the backs of the others for some reason! They are the only ones that do that and it cracks me up!

 

[bigzio]

mom, do you plan on keeping any of the roo's?

We always wait to decide who stays and who goes.
Process of elimination, until we are left with the roo's we want to keep.

I would think by 16 to 20 weeks old with EEgrs you will be well on your way to the end goal.

bigzio

 

[4H kids and mom]

We plan to keep the 2 finest of the roos to breed with our hens. If we end up with more than 10 or 12 layers, we'll be seeking homes for the extra pullets as well. Roos that are very sweet natured or 'neat looking' as my children put it, will be offered to other chicken folk as pets. Those that dont 'meet the grade' will make great chicken dinners!

If anyone would like an EE roo or an Ameraucana roo, please let me know. Our EE's are crossed with Araucana and/or Ameraucana so they are sure to be diffinately interesting looking.