Cockerels formed a gang

[Tonyroo]

If you free range them keep one rooster for there protection.

 

[Happy Chick Home]

My continuing gratitude for these lessons.
I got this bunch of week-olds at the local flea market. My neighbor's broody hen was starving herself trying to hatch eggs. I borrowed the broody hen and gave her 10 babies. She took them all, they all took to her and she was a very protective mother. Until cockerel adolescence. She did not like that so I took her home. (She has shown no broodiness since. Cured.)
I sat in the chicken yard daily, gave treats and spoke to them. Some were shy, some not, but they all knew me and Iknew them. Watching their development I hoped to identify "The One" but I still don't know enough about chickens to know.

 

[Happy Chick Home]

I have decided to cull 3 - keeping 2 for now. I do have a long-standing favorite and it appears that he is the most precocious and mature. Also the biggest other than the one experiencing sex-reveral.
She was another favorite until the hormone problem showed itself. Now she seems just a vat of testosterone. Poor thing.

 

[Happy Chick Home]

Update. Now there are two; 1 roo, 1 cockerel. Things are SOO much better. No more ganging up. No more missing feathers.
The hens tended to split up and go off in all directions. Groups would be accompanied by one of the boys. Can't tell yet if they are staying together more because of weather or the flock dynamics.
The one hen who was most traumatized won't sleep in the coop unless I catch her and put her in. I have broken down and started bringing her in the house instead. She's sleeps in the dog crate up against the glass door to the unheated porch so it's cooler for her. It's bed n breakfast - so now she loves me instead of being afraid. Maybe she will be okay.