Choosing which roo to keep--advice?

[DrakeMaiden]

My opinion, for what its worth. I'd get rid of the mean ones first and stop there for now. Then I would wait and see how things settle out and whether I need to get rid of more later.

Diversity is good, so I'd keep as many as can all get along.

But you might not want to take my advice, because I have more than twice as many drakes as I have ducks.

I just keep them separate.

I think its probably good to err on the side of more birds (and thereby more boys) than you think you will need. Disasters (and predators) do happen.

If Henri makes you smile, keep him. You have a great breeding plan, so you have the luxury of keeping the poor soul.

BTW, love the name Dauphin.

 

[Davaroo]

Well, here's the deal.

You are CEO, Boss, General, Mayor and Head Cook and Bottle Washer in your chicken yard. It is up to you and you alone to do what meets your needs. No one can tell you to follow THEIR plan. No, you need one of your own - one that stands a chance of success.

Let me say this at risk of torture:
I do not agree that wide diversity is good. Concentrating on a few lines that are well developed will do more for you than having a "yard aquarium" of cluckers which share blood with every scrub in the neighborhood. These dont have to be pure bluebloods, just worhty. It sounds like you know this and will follow a plan of careful selection. Good for YOU!

What I DON"T want is so many roosters that they're fighting each other as well as stressing and hurting the ladies excessively.

The time honored way to do this is to keep the males separate from the females. It is the presence of delectable femmes that sends the boys into fighting and all the usual machismo bluster.

The standard ratio for cocks/hens is 1:10 for the mid size utility breeds and 1:15+ for the nervy Med breeds. You have Favs, Sussex, A-cauna's of mixed heritage, so I'd go with the first ratio. This means you keep 2 cocks for your present flock (3 at the outside), from which you will selectively breed. There's no way to sugar coat this so I'll just say it: Only the best males stay - make your selections count.

Save sentiment for the chicks you rear... And have a well followed plan for your cocks.​

 

[Windy Ridge]

Well, I fear you're right, but dammit, I don't want you to be.

Just kidding.

Actually, though, my Ameraucanas are true Ameraucanas... not EEs from a hatchery. Still, it doesn't really change your point. The thing that causes me to waver on being hard-nosed about it is that Henri doesn't get involved in any of the sparring... and the Silkies seem to keep to themselves, sort of uninvolved in the to-dos of the larger chickens.

<sigh>

I really would make an awful, awful farmer. I went into this thinking that when it came down to it, I'd just be able to make my choices, and that I shouldn't feel too down about it considering how much longer, happier lives they've lived compared to commercially farmed chickens.

Yet... here I am really dreading Sunday, because it will be the first day I'll be missing hearing all the crows of the ones I've chosen to go. I mean, I recognize each voice.

I guess I'd rather err on the side of keeping too many. The thought of having to make these choices again sends chills down my spine, though. And yet, I'd rather have a few potential days of unhappiness than I would want to just kill something without really needing to.

 

[rooster-red]

If you're going to breed them, you will have to make this choice again and again.

If you have the space you might consider setting up several mini flocks and keep whatever roo's you feel the need to.

As for henry, you've already made your decision.

Cull the mean ones now.

 

[Windy Ridge]

I was smart enough the first time I hatched to take my three week old extra roosters to a REAL farmer who (naturally) doesn't enjoy that part of farming, but doesn't dread it like I do, either.

Now I realize I'll probably have to do that every time. The birds I have now are really too old and big to transport without distressing overmuch. It would be easier on ME to have them transported away, but it will be easier on THEM to stay here, I'm sure.

Next time, I'll know. Luckily, Salmon Faverolles and Wheatens are relatively easy to feather sex at a few weeks old.

 

[Davaroo]

I guess Im a heartless SOB.

I beleive that everything from the feed thay eat to the quality of their genetics is up to ME. This means I must do what must be done and not get caught up in the whole "chickens are people too" mentality.

This doesnt mean I cant like them and enjoy the ones that do stay, though.

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Hey Windy, wake up the morning of the execution, have a good hearty breakfast and then make a list of the birds to be let go. Be firm that you will not back down from your list. That said, I would still err on the side of keeping more birds than you think you actually need.

Breeding too intensively causes things like rapist roosters. (Similar to tempermental defects in pure bred dogs). That is why I really feel diversity is good. I'm not saying you should dilute your breeds with other breeds, but that you should keep more than one male of each breed. Again, this is my opinion. Better if you can get males from parents unrelated to your females. But until you get there, I wouldn't try to cull all the males just yet.

Don't be too hard on yourself. The ones you hatched yourself you will always feel more bonded to. Once you get them to hatch their own offspring, I think you will find you can disengage your emotions more. At least this is what I am hoping.

 

[Windy Ridge]

Yes... maybe I need to stop dwelling and dreading and over-thinking and Dreading. Did I say DREADING?

I think I'll actually feel better afterwards, a little at least, because I'll know I'll have taken care of what would become a real problem for the ladies. There are some that I really won't regret. As pretty as he is, that little bantam cochin is crazy mean. Rather surprising, as the breed has a different reputation, but there you have it. And one of the Favs (I've named him after my husband--haha!) is pretty aggressive, and will probably get moreso.

I need to concentrate on getting rid of the negative elements...

<sings> A-ccent-uate the positive! E-lim-inate the negative! </sings>

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Good. Keep a positive attitude.

I think once you've been through the process once, it will get easier to make the hard decisions.

I'm with you on the dreading. My day will come for that. I hope it all goes well!

 

[Windy Ridge]

You have my sympathy already. But, elderoo is right that we have to do what must be done. However, I don't know that I'm with him on the whole "chickens aren't people" thing.