Failed attempt at a rooster flock

[chooki]

Well, with 3 cockerels/roosters, you need at least 6 hens, otherwise they will fight more furiously. When I brought my hens from the suburban home to the farm, my roosters fought so badly, not did they bleed, they also changed pecking order. Not a pretty sight.

 

[chooki]

Maybe I am wrong, but the whole thing might be related to save the cockerels/rooster from being slaughtered. There are always more people who want hens and not roosters.

 

[Le Moth]

I had indeed been hoping to give a home to a few extra roos but I guess Rusty says no to peacefully living together haha

Now I'm watching his behaviour to see of having the brothers here benefits him in any way.
The brothers are content to move away from the shared fence and do their own thing but not Rusty, I see now that he only makes use of the front half of his space where he can see the brothers and me.

Why can't they just use their words and tell us what would be best for them? haha
Would be so much easier.

 

[McChooky]

Most people will take a free rooster if he comes with his own hens This guy left in a convertible with 4 beautiful girls and lives less than 5 miles from here

 

[McChooky]

The man who adopted him has a young flock of young brown egg layers so he'll be in rooster heaven if he behaves himself

 

[McChooky]

My rooster (Ridge Runner) hasn't been integrated into the flock yet but my hens are doing good.He says they're roosting in a separate place but they hang out with his chickens all day .The rooster probably won't be added until fall or maybe spring

 

[Le Moth]

My rooster (Ridge Runner) hasn't been integrated into the flock yet but my hens are doing good.He says they're roosting in a separate place but they hang out with his chickens all day .The rooster probably won't be added until fall or maybe spring

I don't have any hens, just the 3 boys.
I really wanted a roo flock, to give a home to some unwanted boys.
I did as much research as I could but feel like I was mislead a little and that I missed important information (like how the age and whether they are related or not matters) and there is so many unknowns that affect whether they get along.

The brothers are so damned sweet and my boy would appear to be one of those 'problem roosters'
It hurts my heart to think of moving them on to an uncertain fate.

Maybe Rusty would tolerate a submissive roo but there is no surefire way to find one.
I know already that he can tolerate little cockerals but once they hit puberty who knows whether they would be dominant/submissive.

 

[Le Moth]

I admit I am upset that it hasn't worked out, this is my 3rd attempt in the last 6 months to provide what Rusty needs.

He originally had two hens, I lost one to a heart attack on Valentines day.
I got another two, they were much smaller than I expected, a quarter of Rusty's size. Too small so I rehomed them.
The next two were 3 month old silkies, I lost them to Mareks (I'm in NZ, vets said it is everywhere and unfortunately there is a genetic bottleneck with the silkie breed here making them more susceptible)
Traumamatic for me since I bonded closely to them to the point that they would seek me out for comfort.

Then I rehomed Rusty's one remaining head (to an absolutely wonderful home, a chicken heaven if you will)
And decided to give a home to some unwanted boys only to find out that Rusty himself is the problem preventing that from working out.
I hate rehoming animals, I feel such guilt for not beong able to give them what they need and such worry for their futures.

Maybe I have come full circle and the only answer for Rusty to be happy is to get hens again.
I'm trying to avoid that because I can't afford a bigger coop, the current is a prefab and would maybe squish in two more standard size chickens. (the brothers are in a converted dog kennel)

 

[chooki]

I think it's most likely your 3 cockerels/rooster could work out, but it will take more than a few weeks for that to happen. Roosters will fight to establish the pecking order. If you want to avoid injuries, you can introduce them slowly.

Also, from what I hear, Rusty is not particular problematic. When I add new birds to my existing flock, the new birds almost always be lower on the hierarchy as the existing ones consider the land their territory. Chicks and pullets usually accept this, and roosters will often challenge it.

Having a rooster flock has its own advantages - roosters can be very affectionate & they don’t have lady’s problems (egg binding, lacking nutrients due to egg laying etc).

I am deeply bonded with my rooster flock - they follow me around the farm like dogs and often check on me at the entrance to the cabin (they know they are not allowed inside).

My birds are pretty smart too - in a few weeks after my cockerels had first seen sorghum, they learnt to peel the skin to get the grain inside. They have also found a way to hunt for the worms in the sweet potato field - by looking out for yellow leaves with holes, then turn those leaves upside down. Of course, those are totally another story ..

 

[Mrs. K]

I have often seen posts on here about bachelors pad as if they are a solution to keeping roosters. But they don’t always work. They don’t call it cock fighting for nothing.

From your post, I don’t think you are comfortable with their violence. Some people can let them fight it out, but some have fought to an ugly death.

I think that the single rooster is probably the best solution. He will just be fine by himself. Unless he is not eating while alone. Any other destructive behaviors? If not, that is your best bet.

Mrs K