Bachelor flocks.

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

Can anyone tell me their personal opinions on bachelor flocks? I have about 10 extra roosters and cockerels that don’t necessarily have the room for in my main flocks but I have grown attached to the and would like to hold onto them. Any pros or cons? Can bantam roosters live with the standard roosters? Can I put younger cockerels with adult roosters? Pictures of some on my boys.

 

[FuzzyCritters]

I really like having a bachelor flock. Having one makes it really easy for me to keep breeding roosters and grow out cockerels. They also seem to crow less when they are all together (only the dominant one crows). My hens don't get over mated with the roosters away from them. Unless there are hens near them, they don't fight. My roos actually seem to fight each other less than the hens do! I can't think of any cons for having a bachelor flock, having one has been way better for me than keeping my rooster with my hens.

You can keep younger cockerels with adult roosters. I keep different age groups of cockerels and roosters together and it has been fine. I don't know about keeping bantams with standards, since my bantam roos just live with the bantam hens. If your bantams were raised with the large cockerels, they might be okay. I would try putting the bantams in with the large ones and watch them to make sure they are okay, but have a backup plan if it doesn't work out.

If you do decide to keep a bachelor flock, my one suggestion would be to keep the hens out of sight from them. My roosters became much more aggressive toward each other when they were near hens.

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

I really like having a bachelor flock. Having one makes it really easy for me to keep breeding roosters and grow out cockerels. They also seem to crow less when they are all together (only the dominant one crows). My hens don't get over mated with the roosters away from them. Unless there are hens near them, they don't fight. My roos actually seem to fight each other less than the hens do! I can't think of any cons for having a bachelor flock, having one has been way better for me than keeping my rooster with my hens.

You can keep younger cockerels with adult roosters. I keep different age groups of cockerels and roosters together and it has been fine. I don't know about keeping bantams with standards, since my bantam roos just live with the bantam hens. If your bantams were raised with the large cockerels, they might be okay. I would try putting the bantams in with the large ones and watch them to make sure they are okay, but have a backup plan if it doesn't work out.

If you do decide to keep a bachelor flock, my one suggestion would be to keep the hens out of sight from them. My roosters became much more aggressive toward each other when they were near hens.

The bantam roosters can be housed separately or I know a friend who would take one. The only problem the coops I have to turn into a bachelor flock will be in sight on hens in the evening when my main flocks free range. Is that an major issue?

 

[FuzzyCritters]

The bantam roosters can be housed separately or I know a friend who would take one. The only problem the coops I have to turn into a bachelor flock will be in sight on hens in the evening when my main flocks free range. Is that an major issue?

If they can't interact with the hens, I don't think it will be that big of an issue. They might start crowing more to get the hens attention, or they might not care very much. Some might get more aggressive. It probably depends more on the individual bird.

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

If they can't interact with the hens, I don't think it will be that big of an issue. They might start crowing more to get the hens attention, or they might not care very much. Some might get more aggressive. It probably depends more on the individual bird.

Ok! I’m only really worried about my Orpington rooster being aggressive but I can rehome him if need be. I’m actually pretty excited and hoping this will work out. It’s always better than giving them away and hoping for the best.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

The bantam roosters can be housed separately or I know a friend who would take one. The only problem the coops I have to turn into a bachelor flock will be in sight on hens in the evening when my main flocks free range. Is that an major issue?

Bantams do fine with large fowl.. and being in sight of the hens has zero impact on the antics of a bunch of hormonal boys living together.. You should have seen a Silkie put a Marans on the run!

By being in sight they can treat call to the ladies and court them through the fence. It helps them be acquainted some.

Adding young cockerels to my stag pen has not been much of an issue. A balanced head cock running the pen is a value to have!

And most ALL of my stags crow it up.. if a higher up stag is nearby and tries to stop him.. he just jumps to the side while finishing his crow.

Stag pens have their challenges including occasional bloody battles. It's hardly ever to the death.. having plenty of space, extra feeders, visual barriers that break up direct line of sight, lots of escape routes for a subordinate to get out of a dominants way, and plenty of enrichment are things that help the cohesion a LOT.

Expect some activity every time you add or take away members as it disrupts the pecking order and a new one must be established.

There are lot's of us who do keep stag pens for different reasons.. one ultimate truth.. all birds are individuals and your mileage may vary.

My minuses.. are feed cost of free loaders, added poop patrol, extra drama, the extra crowing that starts WAY before dawn.

The pluses.. back up genetics, fantastic entertaining eye candy, lovely serenade, control genetics, manage gender ratios, Older boys teach younger boys manners, a chance for cockerels to gain some maturity while giving gals some peace and quite since boys always reach mating age first, knowing how my meat was treated every moment including it's last.

When we are talking about cockerels.. the ones who get their hormones first will APPEAR to be the most aggressive.. be aware that things change.

I'm sure there are many more pros and cons.. hopefully you will get some more helpful suggestions.

 

[Sonya9]

I am starting a bachelor pad now for three 10-week-old OEG Bantam cockerels and one 14 week old standard cockerel. Given a chance the bantam cockerels turn into a band of midget thugs and chase/terrorize the larger boy even though they were raised in the same flock.

I will start introducing them to the pen this week in smaller groups so nobody feels overly confident. They also have a 10x30 ft run with a lot of outdoor roosts so there will be plenty of room. I may add a couple of more obstacles so they can avoid seeing each other if needed.

From what I have read it is best to keep a rooster flock fairly stable just like regular flocks, adding or removing birds messes up their pecking order.

 

[Sonya9]

When we are talking about cockerels.. the ones who get their hormones first will APPEAR to be the most aggressive.. be aware that things change.

Good insight. Thanks.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

From what I have read it is best to keep a rooster flock fairly stable just like regular flocks, adding or removing birds messes up their pecking order.

My stag pen is kept only for eating and breeding (meaning grow outs). The change is constant except for the few who earn their right to stay by show of exceptional temperament and adaptability in addition to the genetic qualifications..

According to my experience.. keeping more is easier than keeping fewer as it helps spread the antics like pool table balls spreading and over all more adaptable. Birds of a feather totally flock together, it's down right interesting to see prejudice play out in nature. Survival of the fittest doesn't mean the best genetics but rather the one that fits in the most as far as I can tell.. or stands out the least, to the predator.