Do I need a rooster for each variety of chickens or only one rooster?

[Cheery]

QUOTE="Chickalah, post: 22089822, member: 548195"]
I have 4 varieties of chickens.
I want to sell off the roosters since they have started injuring the hens and other roosters.
Do I need to keep one rooster from each variety later when I want to hatch chicks or can one rooster
work for all the breeds? I need to make a quick decision since they are pecking bloody holes in the hens now.
I have Delaware or White Sussex (they look so similar I cant tell them apart)
Speckled Sussex
Black Astraulorps
Barred Rock.
Are any of those better to keep in case its good to only keep 1 or 2 (I have 19 total roosters)
Thanks!
[/QUOTE]

 

[Duckfarmer1]

If you only keep 1rooster, than only the chicks with the same type hen with be full bred...the others will be crosses. But often they turn out to be wonderful birds that no one would’ve known about. I would take a look at your choices...I would pick the one who is respectful to you and the hens....that’s how I would make the decision. I just got rid of a mean rooster and now I have three cockerels to choose from...I’m going to pice the friendliest one to them.

 

[Kabootar]

1-2 Roosters will be fine. No specific breed unless you're breeding purebreds. 19 is just crazy.

The number of roosters depends on the number of hens, your budget and space. I have heard there are some problems with regulations on the number of roosters that you can keep in the States. I don't even know whether we have any regulations regarding roosters. I have many roosters.

 

[Kabootar]

19 roosters? Keep the Barred Rock rooster. Just my opinion.

I also like barred rocks, they are generally less agressive, they are reliable layers, they occasionally go broody and the cockerels make good capons. They are a good breed to have.

 

[MysteryChicken]

The number of roosters depends on the number of hens, your budget and space. I have heard there are some problems with regulations on the number of roosters that you can keep in the States. I don't even know whether we have any regulations regarding roosters. I have many roosters.

I know the hen to rooster ratio thing.

I have lots of roosters/cockerels too. The number of roosters/Cockerels I have is: 14 total.

 

[Kabootar]

Australorps are pretty awesome, and Speckled Sussex have sweet plumage. Lol everyone seems to have barred Rocks! The other breeds need love too!1

I like australorps performance as a layer, but I generally try to avoid black breeds as they tend to get bullied much more than others. They tend to get harrassed in a mixed flock. Currently I only have one black breed they are Black Jersey giants, but I do have a few barnyard mutts that are black.

I personally love speckled Sussex for their plumage, personality and mothering abilities. Mine seem to be a little more aggressive, I personally don't mind agressive breeds. They also go broody frequently. I don't mind broodiness if the hen can take care of her chicks, but some people don't like breeds that tend to go broody frequently.

 

[Mrs. K]

I have never noticed my black birds getting bullied in a mix flock. Might be specific birds, rather than a color.

 

[ThunderHillChick]

I would probably try to sell or re-home them first, and process any you have left.
I suppose you could always skin them if you dont feel like plucking feathers

I tried that, it was pretty gross, my neighbors thought I lost it. Much easier to skin a pheasant lol. I have a new friend that is going to teach me about plucking, something about the water temp being just right.

19 roosters seems like a lot. We ate the original two I had gotten as they were JERKS. The new ones I got off craigslist, are really nice older boys.

 

[EggWalrus]

@Chickalah, where are you located?
If you live close enough, I may buy them all for $5 each.
I've been selling them to the Mexicans for $10, and they keep me low on birds at that price. My neighbor sells them for $15 but has had a hard time getting rid of them till I run out.

 

[cmom]

In the past I have processed some of the males but now I sell them. I hatch out a few hundred chicks every year and around half will be males. We have a local farm swap I take them to. I sell them pretty quick. All of my breeds are pure breeds because I show them at poultry shows so I'm after potential show quality birds. Since it appears you aren't concerned about pure breeds I would pick out your favorite male and if you do hatch out chicks they will be mixed breeds but people will buy the birds for eggs or to eat. Next weekend I'm taking some older hens who aren't really laying anymore. I have a buyer. I'm sure she wants them for eating and they are good dual purpose breeds, Rhode Island Reds. I don't process the birds anymore but I'm an old lady and getting tired. I do grow out all of the males and pick out the best for my future breeders. I keep 2 males for each breed, one main male and a backup. I'm setting up my breeding pens for this year right now and soon will be putting eggs in the incubator. Originally all of the chicks go into chick/grow-out coops. When the males start bothering the females they go into bachelor coops and pens. I keep the best and sell the rest. Good luck with whatever you decide to do and have fun...