Dilemma

[MotherHen75]

So i have an issue. I think a couple of my chicks are roosters, but i already have a rooster. And he’s very territorial, he killed the other two that were raised with him. But this chick is about 2 weeks old and absolutely sweet and he’s the prettiest thing. He’s a Golden Sebright. The current rooster i have is a big old rhode island red. He takes care of his ladies, but one died on him due to a dog. Suggestions?

 

[Wezdin]

There are three options i see,
#1 get rid of the RIR rooster and replace him with the sebright
#2 Sell the sebright.
#3 House them separately so they can't get at each other.
Not saying there isnt any other way but those are the ones i thought of. Good luck!

 

[azygous]

If I am any judge of "intent" behind words posted here, you are already leaning toward cashiering the RR roo, and I think that makes tremendous sense.

 

[MotherHen75]

Are sebright know to be territorial? If we got rid of the RIR, we have 6 hens. And 5 chicks in the brooder, so i’m thinking we might have enough hens for 2 roosters. We also have 4 acres so plenty of room. They are a free range (minus the chicks they are in brooder).

 

[Mrs. K]

If your rooster has already killed two of the competition, you are just wishing you can keep them all. For two roosters, I would think more along the lines of 20-30 hens. Although people have had less hens per rooster.

I am with the others, cull the old boy, and keep the youngster.
MRs K

 

[MotherHen75]

I forgot. One of my hens is broody and the eggs should hatch on the 13th. 6 eggs, 5 chicks in brooder. 18 birds, no clue what were gonna do with the cockerels. A friend of ours basically has a farm, 4 goats, 2 horses, a bunch of roosters (chickens live inside the large coop because of 'chicken rape', they can go out but not come in, they prefer to live in the coop) the roosters are free range and do what they want. I might just give the cockerels to her, let them fight it out among themselves. It seems like a waste of a good rooster, he never attacks me but isn't a friend. He gets nervous when the hens go near the fence the dog was at, though his crowing is extremely annoying.

 

[bobbi-j]

I forgot. One of my hens is broody and the eggs should hatch on the 13th. 6 eggs, 5 chicks in brooder. 18 birds, no clue what were gonna do with the cockerels. A friend of ours basically has a farm, 4 goats, 2 horses, a bunch of roosters (chickens live inside the large coop because of 'chicken rape', they can go out but not come in, they prefer to live in the coop) the roosters are free range and do what they want. I might just give the cockerels to her, let them fight it out among themselves. It seems like a waste of a good rooster, he never attacks me but isn't a friend. He gets nervous when the hens go near the fence the dog was at, though his crowing is extremely annoying.

I'd put them in the freezer rather than wasting all that good meat to whatever predators will get them as they're free ranging on your friend's farm.

 

[aart]

Aren't Sebrights tiny little birds?
What is your goal for having male birds?

Multiple males are almost always going to be trouble,
doesn't matter the breed or how sweet they are.

If you're hatching you need to have a viable plan to deal with the ~50% males.
Mine all get eaten by 12-14 weeks.

 

[MotherHen75]

Aren't Sebrights tiny little birds?
What is your goal for having male birds?

Multiple males are almost always going to be trouble,
doesn't matter the breed or how sweet they are.

If you're hatching you need to have a viable plan to deal with the ~50% males.
Mine all get eaten by 12-14 weeks.

Well they’res always my friends farm. They barely have any predators, they have so many roos, the goats are free range, peacocks, ducks. But, the two roos my current rooster killed were completely fine with each other. They fought but established a pecking order, they were fine after that. Also we just went to TSC and got two more pullets.

Also, are silkies territorial roosters? We got a silkie we’re pretty sure it’s a girl, but you can never be certain. it’s a two week old.

 

[Callender Girl]

The folks who are saying cull the rooster are likely right if the goal is peace and safety within your flock.

But, if you are leaning toward your friend's farm, why not give it a try? Yes, there's a chance it might not work out in his favor, but butchering him is certainly not in his favor.

I try to give everybody a chance if it's at all possible. Which is why I have way too many critters and too many vet bills, I'm sure.