I have SG Dorkings that I plan to breed using the spiral method in the spring. This requires having 3 trios, which I have, plus one extra cockerel as a back-up. I also have 3 Cuckoo Marans pullets strictly for eggs, not for breeding. That makes 9 pullets and 4 cockerels. We have a Cochin cockerel but he's still sexually immature and doesn't really figure in at this moment in time. My Marans girls started laying about 3 weeks ago and the Dorking girls are imminent. In fact, I saw two spending a lot of time in the nesting boxes just this morning, so I'm wondering if I might get my first Dorking egg or two today.
A few days ago, the cockerels began fighting in earnest. Their white feathers are stained pink and their combs are a mess. My question is this: what do people who plan to breed using a method where they need to keep many cockerels do to prevent fights like this? I have one 8x8 hoop coop out in a field with doors on both ends that are always open, a huge run area for them, and I also let them out to forage frequently. I let them out this morning to give them something to do besides fight and it worked--they got busy just doing their own things (and got busy mounting as many pullets as possible!). Oh, and as far as the females getting lots of attention, they are, but they don't seem to be suffering any ill consequences, such as lost feathers or bloody combs or anything. The boys are quick and efficient.
I'm starting to think about winter, though, when I'll close one coop door, drop a tarp over that end, and they'll spend more time in there and less out in the great wide open where they have room to run away from each other. Do I have to build a new hoop coop to keep the boys in?? I've kept a flock in which there were two boys and 6 girls and the boys never fought... Oh, jeez, and I just remembered: our "yardbirds" are one bantam cock and 3 hens. In the winter they're going to have to go live with the rest. I smell a new boys' dorm on the horizon. Is it really necessary, do you think?? Anyone else found themselves in this predicament??
P.S., they're all 26 weeks old (except the "yardbirds", which are 3 years old)
A few days ago, the cockerels began fighting in earnest. Their white feathers are stained pink and their combs are a mess. My question is this: what do people who plan to breed using a method where they need to keep many cockerels do to prevent fights like this? I have one 8x8 hoop coop out in a field with doors on both ends that are always open, a huge run area for them, and I also let them out to forage frequently. I let them out this morning to give them something to do besides fight and it worked--they got busy just doing their own things (and got busy mounting as many pullets as possible!). Oh, and as far as the females getting lots of attention, they are, but they don't seem to be suffering any ill consequences, such as lost feathers or bloody combs or anything. The boys are quick and efficient.
I'm starting to think about winter, though, when I'll close one coop door, drop a tarp over that end, and they'll spend more time in there and less out in the great wide open where they have room to run away from each other. Do I have to build a new hoop coop to keep the boys in?? I've kept a flock in which there were two boys and 6 girls and the boys never fought... Oh, jeez, and I just remembered: our "yardbirds" are one bantam cock and 3 hens. In the winter they're going to have to go live with the rest. I smell a new boys' dorm on the horizon. Is it really necessary, do you think?? Anyone else found themselves in this predicament??
P.S., they're all 26 weeks old (except the "yardbirds", which are 3 years old)
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