Curious about mixing breeds and Rooster aggression issue

[Jen0301]

In February we ordered 5 australorps, 5 Delawares, 5 Newhampshire reds, 5 Buff orphingtons. 2 of our Australorps ended up being roosters and through different predator issues we are down to 12 hens and 1 Roo. The hens have started laying in the last 2 weeks and we are considering ordering 6 Americaunas and 6 Dominiques to the flock to boost our egg supply towards winter. My question is if anyone has had issues free ranging with this many different breeds? I think our biggest obstacle will be integrating the new twelve with the older birds once the time comes.

Regarding our Rooster well he won't be around much longer he is a handsome protective guy BUT way too aggressive. He has attacked everyone in our family except me and he drew blood on my 5 year old today so as soon as DH gets back in town he is getting the axe unless someone on here has any suggestions for other options. I really am disappointed that we have to cull him as he has finally matured into a good flock protector but judging from what I have read there is no chance that we can overcome this aggression problem. Anyone live near Bonham Tx and want a gorgeous yet MEAN rooster??

Thank you!!

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

No issue with the breed issues, they will free range fine ( we have ~40 hens who free range).
Sorry to hear about your rooster, but if you get a roo (or even get one wanted roo -ie order a 'cockerel run' for a specific breed-) it will be MUCH nicer, I can guarantee, the older hens will teach them manners. Best of luck!

 

[Mrs. K]

I am hoping CBLover that you are right. This is the second time I have had a reference, that a rooster raised in the flock with older hens, is much better behaved. My (so far) favorite roo, was raised like this and he was wonderful and a great flock protector, but never once aggressive toward me. Mr. White was also raised with older hens, and while he was not a fantastic roo, he was not aggressive to me.

The roo that was raised with siblings so to speak was rotten and got culled, mean toward me and hens alike.

I may start a thread this way.

Mrs K

 

[RedDrgn]

We've got a flock of 9 and only two of them are the same breed (dominiques; 1 two years old and one 4 weeks old), and we have no problems. They don't seem to care anyway and do all of their usual chickens things.

Eating or finding a new home for your roo is a good idea. While you may be able to retrain him, it takes a considerable amount of time and attention and at no point do roos ever mix well with children (and it's best that mix just never occur).

 

[silkiechicken]

Different breeds together will be fine. Any new introductions will involve fighitng and pecking, but that's natural and normal. As for that rooster. Axe. It's not worth the risk, especially when you have children small enough to be flogged in the face. There are good roosters out there.

 

[Jen0301]

Thank you all for the input. When we ordered our first 20 I did order all pullets but of course we ended up with the two being Roos. One was victim to a preditor and then this dumb brute.
I think our boy will make some nice tortilla soup come this weekend. I happened to be out changing the water this am and here comes my son yelling for help with the big mean guy hot on his heels. Needless to say he got a nice bath with that hose! He really is not even hitting the mark with the hens either so basically he is useless aside from protection and I have a dog for that job.

 

[silkiechicken]

Sounds like the big guy has an invitation to dinner. Sometimes roos can have a rough start with the girls when they are young and don't know how to treat them, but the aggression to humans isn't acceptable at any age.

 

[tadpole98]

different breeds don't make any difference to how well they free range. Although I have notice different breeds hang out with their own breeds. Some people think chickens are color blind but not me!

 

[tadpole98]

Thank you all for the input. When we ordered our first 20 I did order all pullets but of course we ended up with the two being Roos. One was victim to a preditor and then this dumb brute.
I think our boy will make some nice tortilla soup come this weekend. I happened to be out changing the water this am and here comes my son yelling for help with the big mean guy hot on his heels. Needless to say he got a nice bath with that hose! He really is not even hitting the mark with the hens either so basically he is useless aside from protection and I have a dog for that job.

Yummmmy. read up on how to process them so you can put him out of his misery quickly and mercifully!