Cockerels...what age do you need to separate?

[AvaCabo]

I am a first-time CHI-Mom. My flock is a straight run, backyard mutt mix. LOL. The roos are starting to be detectable. At what age do they start being "machos"? Should I find them homes now or wait until they're an issue? Gracias

 

[SunHwaKwon]

The biggest issue you will run into is that the males sexually mature a lot younger, and when there are multiples they will compete with each other and harass the females. If you don't have any mature hens, I say get rid of them sooner rather than later, before they start jumping all over the little girls.

 

[Soy Milano]

Why can't you keep the roosters? I love my roos! I have 9 in one pen as part of a bachelor flock, and 2 in the other with 5 hens and 2 ducks. They all get along great. Nobody fights.

 

[Morrigan]

It varies a bit depending on the cockerel involved, but most start foisting unwanted attentions on the hens around the 14-16 week mark. A few start as early as 10 or 11 weeks, but I've had at least one reach 21 weeks and not try anything.

That being said, if you are trying to re-home them as pets, the sooner you start on that the better. There are far more roosters available at any given time than there are people who want them, so it may take some time and effort. If you don't care if they are taken by people looking for a free chicken dinner, you can probably off load them easier and wait until they are closer to the actually-being-a-nuisance stage.

 

[aart]

Mine go on the grill by 14-16 weeks...while still tender and before they start harassing the girls too much.

 

[AvaCabo]

Why can't you keep the roosters? I love my roos! I have 9 in one pen as part of a bachelor flock, and 2 in the other with 5 hens and 2 ducks. They all get along great. Nobody fights.

Well...because I have neighbors and don't want to be rude...I don't need any baby chicks. I'm strictly a flock keeper for the egg production.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Mine go on the grill by 14-16 weeks...while still tender and before they start harassing the girls too much.

Same. Another month or two doesn't add enough meat to justify the stress on the flock, plus I skin mine and they skin very easily while young.

 

[aart]

Same. Another month or two doesn't add enough meat to justify the stress on the flock, plus I skin mine and they skin very easily while young.

Ohhh..the crispy skin on the grill is the best part!!

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Ohhh..the crispy skin on the grill is the best part!!

Mine are mostly bantams so they get to become shredded meat for soup, enchiladas, etc