Crowing competition

[Rick589]

I have two 21 week old Buff cockerels. They get into these crowing competitions where they take turns crowing for extended periods of time. Would I be correct in seeing this as a chicken malehood measurement contest? And, would this be an indication of possible relationship issues in the future?

 

[sourland]

I feel it is a response to the territorial call of another male. Eventually it is likely they will fight to determine dominance. Sometimes, given enough space and hens, they can develop a non fighting relationship.

 

[Rick589]

Thanks for the reply. They’ve already had a tussle or two, nothing very serious. I do need to mention that we’ve found ourselves with a tight roo/hen ratio (1 to 2). This is a result of incorrect sexing from the hatchery.

 

[WingItRanch]

Thanks for the reply. They’ve already had a tussle or two, nothing very serious. I do need to mention that we’ve found ourselves with a tight roo/hen ratio (1 to 2). This is a result of incorrect sexing from the hatchery.

Yikes! That is a tight ratio. You may want to consider reducing the number of males so they don't overmate and hurt your girls (and each other). Everyone has different opinions on the ratio but I personally wouldn't go any less than 10 females to 1 male.

 

[Rick589]

Yikes! That is a tight ratio. You may want to consider reducing the number of males so they don't overmate and hurt your girls (and each other). Everyone has different opinions on the ratio but I personally wouldn't go any less than 10 females to 1 male.

Yeah, I know. I’ve heard anywhere from four to twelve per rooster, and many times the recommendations are attached to a particular breed. Nonetheless, we know we are not in the best of positions and they’ve become semi pets to us, which makes it more difficult. So I’m actually thinking about letting chicken math take hold and get more hens. But, I guess we would need to take the cost hit for pullets or risk getting more Roos.

 

[fuzzi]

Yeah, I know. I’ve heard anywhere from four to twelve per rooster, and many times the recommendations are attached to a particular breed. Nonetheless, we know we are not in the best of positions and they’ve become semi pets to us, which makes it more difficult. So I’m actually thinking about letting chicken math take hold and get more hens. But, I guess we would need to take the cost hit for pullets or risk getting more Roos.

I got a straight run, had 7/3 male/female. I then ordered 5 sexed chicks from Cackle. They sent 6, 2 turned out to be males so I got a partial refund. Four pullets stayed, two cockerels went to auction along with five excessive males from the straight run.

Ratio was 2/7 at that point.

I've had two males then, and now. The first time they got along, but one was definitely head Roo. So far, so good with my current cockerels, 7 months and 5 1/2 months old.

And they do dueling crows.

 

[WingItRanch]

Yeah, I know. I’ve heard anywhere from four to twelve per rooster, and many times the recommendations are attached to a particular breed. Nonetheless, we know we are not in the best of positions and they’ve become semi pets to us, which makes it more difficult. So I’m actually thinking about letting chicken math take hold and get more hens. But, I guess we would need to take the cost hit for pullets or risk getting more Roos.

Let the chicken math begin!

You could try auto-sexing breeds. That way you could get chicks guaranteed to be female.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

If you want to go the chicken math route Meyer has 30% off their chick assortments right now. This fall I purchased 20 of their rainbow layer pullets for $3 a piece and all 20 were pullets.

 

[Rick589]

Let the chicken math begin!

You could try auto-sexing breeds. That way you could get chicks guaranteed to be female.

My issue from the beginning was that we wanted a presumedly docile breed because of the grandkids and we also wanted ‘pets’, thus the Buff Orpington's. Now that we have them, and knowing them to be docile, we hesitate to try and mix with another breed just so we can be sure they aren’t dominated. So, sex linked is out for us at the moment. In all truthfulness the easiest thing to do would be to get rid of one of the roosters. But, we’re attached at this point and we don’t want one that we would give away becoming a meal. On the flip side, I built the coop and run to accommodate about six chickens. So, there’s that.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

My issue from the beginning was that we wanted a presumedly docile breed because of the grandkids and we also wanted ‘pets’, thus the Buff Orpington's. Now that we have them, and knowing them to be docile, we hesitate to try and mix with another breed just so we can be sure they aren’t dominated. So, sex linked is out for us at the moment. In all truthfulness the easiest thing to do would be to get rid of one of the roosters. But, we’re attached at this point and we don’t want one that we would give away becoming a meal. On the flip side, I built the coop and run to accommodate about six chickens. So, there’s that.

I have had 40+ orpingtons and while they are docile they will hold their own against others. I have never had an issue with an orpington being bullied.