Cutting back on Roosters

[AlphaRooster]

My small flock has 3 roosters in it. Thats 2 too many. All my birds are 19 weeks old and its time to go to 1 rooster. My question is how do I pick 1? Which rooster is best for the flock, for the hens? Should I keep my favorite since they were chicks? Or the biggest one, the rooster that has established himself as the Alpha? The third bird is the smallest & weakest. Would he be better for the hens? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[dekel18042]

My small flock has 3 roosters in it. Thats 2 too many. All my birds are 19 weeks old and its time to go to 1 rooster. My question is how do I pick 1? Which rooster is best for the flock, for the hens? Should I keep my favorite since they were chicks? Or the biggest one, the rooster that has established himself as the Alpha? The third bird is the smallest & weakest. Would he be better for the hens? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

What is their attitude towards people? Which one treats the hens the best?

 

[AlphaRooster]

They are all very protective of the hens. And they are all aggressive towards me. The smallest one is least aggressive.

 

[dekel18042]

They are all very protective of the hens. And they are all aggressive towards me. The smallest one is least aggressive.

Then that would be the deciding factor.

 

[AlphaRooster]

Alright Thanx. It will be difficult to part with my favorite.

 

[bobbi-j]

Frankly, if they were all aggressive toward me, I'd get rid of them all. The smallest, weakest one may get stronger over time. No need to keep a mean rooster. What are your flock goals? Are you planning on hatching from your flock? If not, there really is no reason for a rooster at all. They don't really "protect" your flock. They do tend to be more alert and warn of aerial predators, but a good alpha hen will do the same thing. If you really feel the need for a rooster, I'd suggest looking around to see if you can find one that's not going to attack you. They're out there.

 

[donrae]

If they're aggressive to you at 19 weeks, get rid of all of them. Why would you keep any animal that's aggressive to you? Either that or try some serious re-training and see who comes around.

 

[Mrs. K]

If this is your first year with chickens, I too vote, get rid of them all. I think roosters take a little experience. IMHO you tend to get aggressive roosters when they are raised with flock mates. If you have young kids, don't have roosters.

Roosters are a crap shoot, some are great, some are terrible, and some are dangerous.

I vote, cull them all. Then you have room to get more hens!

Mrs K

 

[AlphaRooster]

I do want to keep a rooster. I want to keep 1 for the time being to see if he improves without the competition of the other 2 roosters. If not than I will get rid of him too.

 

[keesmom]

Woburn allows roosters? Anyway, try out one if you want, but if he continues to be a butt head then it's the end of the line. Come summertime there will be a surplus of young cockerels available.