Did I pick the right chicks?

[lutherpug]

I have no experience with guineas and my birds don't free range but I did have a thought-if eggs aren't important to you, why not keep a flock of just roosters? You could find an endless supply of them for free that you don't have to raise up from chicks and my understanding is that roosters can be housed with each other pretty easily provided there are no hens to fight over? If one gets picked off by a predator, you can easily replace it. Just a thought. I've never kept a bachelor flock before but I know a guy up the street from me does it for this exact reason. He is who gets all of my excess roosters

 

[minaayindra]

Wow- that's an idea I haven't heard before. I assumed one rooster would always fight with another rooster since that was how they were "hard-wired." That's amazing...

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

A flock of roosters is a terrible idea especially if you have no chicken experience. Breeds like buff Orpington, Easter eggers, barred rocks, Australorp, and welsummer are a good start.

 

[minaayindra]

I have no experience but they obviously work well for the gentleman up the street from lutherpug! Thanks for the breed recommends...

 

[lutherpug]

I have no experience with guineas and my birds don't free range but I did have a thought-if eggs aren't important to you, why not keep a flock of just roosters? You could find an endless supply of them for free that you don't have to raise up from chicks and my understanding is that roosters can be housed with each other pretty easily provided there are no hens to fight over? If one gets picked off by a predator, you can easily replace it. Just a thought. I've never kept a bachelor flock before but I know a guy up the street from me does it for this exact reason. He is who gets all of my excess roosters

Like I said, I haven't done it myself but I imagine that it can work provided you have a large area to free range. I imagine that there would still be quarrels, etc when introducing new birds. I would also expect that the roosters can still present a danger to you or other humans on your property. Hopefully somebody who has actually done this will chime in. I would run a search for rooster bachelor pad or something similar on the forums here and see what crops up.

 

[Doublete]

Personally I think barred rocks fit what you want...
I think Australorps are a little “heavier” and slower...

 

[lutherpug]

A flock of roosters is a terrible idea especially if you have no chicken experience. Breeds like buff Orpington, Easter eggers, barred rocks, Australorp, and welsummer are a good start.

I missed the part about no chicken experience. You're right, that would be a lot to contend with. My bad!

I misread that part-I was thinking no experience with guineas.

 

[minaayindra]

Like I said, I haven't done it myself but I imagine that it can work provided you have a large area to free range. I imagine that there would still be quarrels, etc when introducing new birds. I would also expect that the roosters can still present a danger to you or other humans on your property. Hopefully somebody who has actually done this will chime in. I would run a search for rooster bachelor pad or something similar on the forums here and see what crops up.

I'll be fascinated to hear it- I knew you were referring to the guy down the street so who knows exactly how he keeps his birds? I'm still fascinated with the concept, although my husband is saying he wants at least one egg every once in a while! lol

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I definitely would not go with Silkies or Bantam Cochins if you want free range foraging.

I have a heavy hawk area, and the only way I can keep those birds is under heavily netted and reinforced coop and run. They simply cannot run fast enough to avoid a predator.

I would go back to the drawing board and rethink your options.

I have heard good things about Egyptian Fayoumis and games for foraging and predator savvy.

Buckeyes are cold hearty, congenial birds, that forage well and are good at gleaning bugs and pests. Keeping a rooster can help the flock be more savvy to predators. (Not that you indicated interest, but Buckeyes are great for the table, so you could eat your extra hens and roosters as needed).

Most chickens, if started in the coop (locked in for a few days) will return to it each night, though games can tend to want to roost in trees.

You can also look at this handy chart for chicken characteristics. I would stay away from any heavy footed breeds, as that makes for slow runners, and any with really large combs, as that can make them more vulnerable to cold.

http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html


https://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Baby-Chicks/Egyptian-Fayoumi-p1260.aspx

 

[minaayindra]

I definitely would not go with Silkies or Bantam Cochins if you want free range foraging.

I have a heavy hawk area, and the only way I can keep those birds is under heavily netted and reinforced coop and run. They simply cannot run fast enough to avoid a predator.

I would go back to the drawing board and rethink your options.

I have heard good things about Egyptian Fayoumis and games for foraging and predator savvy.

Buckeyes are cold hearty, congenial birds, that forage well and are good at gleaning bugs and pests. Keeping a rooster can help the flock be more savvy to predators. (Not that you indicated interest, but Buckeyes are great for the table, so you could eat your extra hens and roosters as needed).

Most chickens, if started in the coop (locked in for a few days) will return to it each night, though games can tend to want to roost in trees.

You can also look at this handy chart for chicken characteristics. I would stay away from any heavy footed breeds, as that makes for slow runners, and any with really large combs, as that can make them more vulnerable to cold.

http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html


https://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Baby-Chicks/Egyptian-Fayoumi-p1260.aspx

Thanks- I never even heard of these!