Deciding between Roosters (Input needed)

[Connie123]

Do you plan on free ranging the 2 flocks together? This may be a non issue for you, but I am terrified that my Marans/Cream Legbar (Big boy) will attempt to mate my Bantams. Maybe this isn't something that happens, but it's one of my possible scenario problems that I'm trying to work around with having standard sized free ranging with bantams, before it's ever even a possibility. Maybe having a cockerel/rooster with each flock keeps this from being a problem, but it's a real concern for me and I'm trying to figure out how to handle it. My silkie pullet screams like she's being killed if the silkie cockerel even considers mounting her and that always seems to turn all 3 of my bantam cockerels off from her, but I don't know about the big guys.

This definitely was a concern for me with the Serama hens. We didn’t want to risk it with them being in the same pen all of the time. We knew the Maran was a roo at three weeks so we built a small coop next to the original coop and moved the Seramas there. The last remaining old laying hen we had stayed with the babies when we put them in the original coop. They all free range together but the Serama stay separate, the old
Laying hen stays separate too from all of them (the Serama roo was beating her up for some reason which is another reason they got separated) and the babies stay separate. It’s like we have three little flocks. So they are being raised together, but only side by side, they see each other but are separated.

 

[Connie123]

I should clarify that our “free range” only means that we let them out of their runs for a few hours in the late afternoon to peck around the yard, they put themselves to bed. We live in a subdivision but have plenty of space for them, but hawks and neighborhood dogs are a real problem. They aren’t out unless we are.

 

[Folly's place]

It would be nice if your adult standard birds and the youngsters could free range together and form one flock. The Seramas probably will be safer apart, and are prime hawk bait anyway...
Is there a Serama thread here? Ask folks who have had them a long time for advice.
Mary

 

[Connie123]

It would be nice if your adult standard birds and the youngsters could free range together and form one flock. The Seramas probably will be safer apart, and are prime hawk bait anyway...
Is there a Serama thread here? Ask folks who have had them a long time for advice.
Mary

We only have one standard bird left (all the other have passed away over the years) and she is with the young birds. She self separated from them as soon as the door comes open. She always done that even when there were other big birds, and when it was just her and the Seramas. The Seramas are older now too (mom is 6, babies are 4). The Serama roo fought off a young hawk who grabbed his mom while we were running to help her. Everyone was fine. He’s been good to have around.

The Seramas are really a non issue since they are separated, and if the Roos dont get along we can alternate always alternate free range time. I just need to determine which standard roo stays. It would be nice if everyone got along well enough though.

 

[Mrs. K]

When you talk about the old hen, I think that means you have had chickens, and all these chicks are part of an expansion, or a do over. The reason I mention it, is that I frequently recommend no roosters the first year. Roosters take experience.

Roosters are a crap shoot, and the more roosters you have the greater the chance of a wreck or series of wrecks. Smaller spaces also increase the odds of things not working. A picture of your set up and measurements could really help.

With 12 pullets and one older hen, I would not keep more than one rooster. What are your reasons for keeping a rooster? It is better to pick from that stand point, rather than, whoops I got roosters, how many can I keep stand point. And be aware there is a real possibility none of these roosters will work out.

If you want to raise Seramas, keep him, let the other two go. If you don't want to raise up those birds, let him go.

The third thing is, roosters together act differently than roosters separated. So if you pull a rooster, the one left may change and act differently than he was in the presence of the other rooster. That being said, I think I would let the less dominant rooster, the one who sits on your lap go. I like a rooster to respect my space. People often see a rooster that is not afraid of you as being friendly, but that can change quickly. In chickens a bit of fear is showing a healthy sign of respect.

As stated earlier, 10 weeks is a bit early to pick. But it is also a good idea, to whittle rather than chop. I mean remove one, let the others readjust, then make a final cut.

Mrs K

 

[Mrs. K]

oh, I see the Seramus are older - missed that

 

[Connie123]

When you talk about the old hen, I think that means you have had chickens, and all these chicks are part of an expansion, or a do over. The reason I mention it, is that I frequently recommend no roosters the first year. Roosters take experience.

Roosters are a crap shoot, and the more roosters you have the greater the chance of a wreck or series of wrecks. Smaller spaces also increase the odds of things not working. A picture of your set up and measurements could really help.

With 12 pullets and one older hen, I would not keep more than one rooster. What are your reasons for keeping a rooster? It is better to pick from that stand point, rather than, whoops I got roosters, how many can I keep stand point. And be aware there is a real possibility none of these roosters will work out.

If you want to raise Seramas, keep him, let the other two go. If you don't want to raise up those birds, let him go.

The third thing is, roosters together act differently than roosters separated. So if you pull a rooster, the one left may change and act differently than he was in the presence of the other rooster. That being said, I think I would let the less dominant rooster, the one who sits on your lap go. I like a rooster to respect my space. People often see a rooster that is not afraid of you as being friendly, but that can change quickly. In chickens a bit of fear is showing a healthy sign of respect.

As stated earlier, 10 weeks is a bit early to pick. But it is also a good idea, to whittle rather than chop. I mean remove one, let the others readjust, then make a final cut.

Mrs K

I’ve raised chickens over the course of my life. We had to take a break for a few years when we moved here, then we set up properly and got the little Seramas for my daughter (thanks to grandma). We knew we wanted to have a laying flock again at some point. That is when we got the original flock here, and Junie is the last one. The Serama roo was starting to pick on her and we knew we wanted to separate them and actually were just going to rehome him and the hen he favors, and keep Junie and the other Serama hen with the pullets. Then we ended up with the Maran being obviously a roo. We were concerned that with keeping the one Serama hen in there (she’s less than a pound) that she might get accidentally hurt by the roo. So we made the little coop and just decided to keep all three since they’ve been here for years and didn’t want her to be by herself. And I’ve always said if the Serama roo was rude to people he’d be gone. But we’ve never had any problems with him. His dad was awful and he went to grandmas with lots more property. He’s still rude but not to people now. So I suppose they’re just here until they pass away.

Technically we don’t need any roosters. I do feel like in such a large number confined for about 75% of the day, that a good roo brings a balance. We’ve always had one. Growing up we had more room and lots more chickens than what we have now. And we had a very gentle speckled Sussex roo. He was always gentle and a great protector. He also liked to be held and get on your lap.

I would like to have the possibility of making my own chickens later on for my own use. And logically that would mean keeping the Maran since the possibility of more Maran eggs, and Olive eggs (with the Legbars). But i could just buy those layers too. I don’t like adding mature birds to my existing flock because we’re space limited. And the pecking order is frankly rough but necessary. Which is why we did a whole new flock minus the old hen. She was rough with the babies too.

But the fancier in me likes the Cochin. Haha!

 

[Connie123]

So logic aside, I’m nervous about keeping one and him getting rude with us. So do I keep the roo that would be better suited for his job down the line, or the one that will most likely not be aggressive? I don’t have experience with Roos of either of these breeds. Plus when the Serama gets old and dies, I want to have one roo for flock protection. People here act like since we don’t live in town they should let their dogs go anywhere they want.

 

[Folly's place]

If one or both of them were already aggressive, the decision would be easy. Because they both seem fine now, keeping them both longer makes sense, watching for developing behaviors. But because you want to have that Marans as a breeding prospect (I agree!) you may just have to rehome the Cochin and see how your Marans grows up.
Mary

 

[Mrs. K]

Haha - I will give the opposite advice, if you fancy the Cochin, then keep him!

Come for clarity, and we add to the confusion!