Arrangements for Roosters

[JackieK318]

I have:

18 hens (I believe)
2 bantams (girls/1 possible boy)
3 guineahens
3 roosters

I don't want to have chicks running around all the time. Hubby won't eat fertilized eggs. So, I'm looking to you all for wisdom! How have you all successfully kept your roosters from mating? Keeping them in a separate area? Would the 3 roosters get grouchy together with/without girls? Also, would the bantam rooster mate with standard hens? I heard about chickens mating with guineas - has anyone confirmed this?

Thanks!

 

[silkiechicken]

I don't want to have chicks running around all the time.

*You won't have chicks running around all the time if you don't get broody hens, or if you take the eggs away every day. They are domesticated so pretty much they lay eggs and leave them for you or something to come and eat them



Hubby won't eat fertilized eggs. So, I'm looking to you all for wisdom!

* Tell him that it doesn't matter if they are fertilized because there will never be a chick in it or the potential to be a chicken if you don't incubate it. You won't be able to tell the difference. Unless of course it is against his religion/culture, it wont make a difference




How have you all successfully kept your roosters from mating?

*Nope.



Keeping them in a separate area?

*This is pretty much the only way.



Would the 3 roosters get grouchy together with/without girls?


*If they can see the girls and interact though the fence with them, they can, become grouchy. Give them enough space in their own pen and they should be ok. Even if they all free range, roosters will figure out who is top and that will be that.


Also, would the bantam rooster mate with standard hens?

* Yep. It is possible, and my bantams have mated with the standards.

I heard about chickens mating with guineas - has anyone confirmed this?

* It can be done and viable eggs can be formed. It is possible to get chicken guinea crosses.


Good luck!