Can 4 rooster live together?

[deidreschultz]

We bought 8 chicks paid double to ensure we got pullets. well I know we have 3 most likely 4 roos. I posted pics and ya'll were kinda split about the one silkie. They have a "hen house" 10 x 12. and a enclosed run about14 x 9. They are 13 weeks old we bought them at the same time. I was told as long as they grew up together there should be no fighting. Is the right? I am worried about the girls though. I heard roos are horny little fellas. We do love all the chickens. I have searched the world over or at least central florida, and have found 1 vet the caponize them. It was at UF and they wanted 300 per chicken. I can't afford that. So not sure what to do at this point. My husband said maybe to let 1 of the roosters go free range, but we don't have alot of trees. I know a hawk would get, and I couldn't live with myself. So any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Chickenaddict]

If you had enough hens to accomodate them and they free ranged you shouldn't have an issue. I have 6 roos and only 20 hens at the moment but seeing as mine free range there are never any issues.
They say 10-12 hens per roo. I'd keep them until you have issues then part with a few or get more hens... Good excuse for more eh

 

[flakey chick]

You don't have enough hens for them. They could live together if they stay virgins and are kept separate from the hens. They shouldn't be allowed to see the girls. Caponizing them would not be a good idea. It has a high mortality rate and they still couldn't live with the girls. They would literally be henpecked to death.

 

[caralouise1974]

Sad but true - you don't have enough hens. On this ratio, three of the roos will have to go. Sorry.

 

[deidreschultz]

For those of you that let yours free range. Do you loose them to predators? I don't have many trees for cover, and I'm scared they would be sitting ducks. I don't think I have enough room for anymore. Although I have to say I wouldn't mind getting more. They're the coolest. We love to just sit and watch them. I guess that's not saying to much for our social life. Anyway thanks again
dd

 

[Shared Acres]

My banty chickens that don't have head poofs free range in an open 4 acre lot (TREES on all sides) and they are fine. But they are adults.

Now I had a hawk fly down right in front of me and grab one of my month old showgirls the other day. So wait until they are full size at least.

 

[Shared Acres]

Ooooh, and I had 3 roos together until they were about 6 months old. When Helmet started crowing and taking over as top dog he would occasionally chase the other boys but they lived mostly in harmony amongst the two poor girls.

HOWEVER, I took them to the fair for two weeks and when we tried to cage two together they tried to kill each other.

 

[Schultz]

Sorry you're having roo troubles. Don't feel bad, we have too many roos right now too that we will have to rehome soon. Since they grew up together, there hasn't been anything more than a few squabbles but I am afraid it might get worse ase they mature. I hope something works out for you, I wanted to come over and welcome you, we are Schultz's too

 

[cybercat]

Are all the chickens silkies? If so you can not let them free range as they will be someones food before long. I grew up in FL and belive me there are more predators than you know there. Besides hawks there are 3 others breeds of birds and not to mention snakes, rats,cats and loose dogs.

Since they were brought up together you should be OK but if not you can always rehome them. BTW bantams are near impossible to sex so paying extra is a crap shoot at best.

 

[deidreschultz]

I have 2 silkies, 2 rir, and 4 red sex links. I'm kind of confused about the silkies, 1 has a comb the other does not, so I assumed a hen and roo. I could have sworn I saw the combless one crow the other morning. I posted pictures on the breed/sex and most thought it was a roo. So we have 3 or 4 roos.