FINALLY got down to only one roo!

[Atchurch]

We hatched 4 eggs in the fall and integrated them with 9 girls after dispatching the only roo. He was super aggressive! Then, three of those babies were boys. Ugh! We were actually praying there would be 3 girls and 1 boy, but NOPE! 3 boys & 1 sweet little girl. So, as discussed in a few threads, we knew we'd need to cull 2 of them. One presented just as aggressive as his dad so we knew he was first. Choosing the next one was harder. But, after all the cruddy weather, we got 2 done today. Just a part of raising, sustaining, expanding and maintaining our small flock. We have room for 60 in the run, but only about 20 in their coop. So 10 more to go! We'll keep trying and doing what is necessary to have more laying hens!

Thanks to everybody who gave suggestions and advice!

 

[sourland]

Well done !

 

[Mrs. K]

Truthfully, don't you just feel competent. One has to manage chickens. One should not keep everyone, always solving for peace in the flock. It can be done, and it is hard to do, but there is a satisfaction in a well run flock, not just wishing they would all be nice.

Mrs K

 

[Atchurch]

Yeah. But still can't help my wanting them all to be sweet. Lol. But the bigger issue is that 3 males would be bad for the girls' health just because they'd wear them out! It's a hard choice, though...had to be done.

 

[Atchurch]

And, just for a little update info, we've been talking about butting another coop/shed up to the run and putting some nesting boxes and roosts in there so the babies can choose where they sleep and have more room.
THAT MEANS MORE BIRDS!
They really are addictive!! Haha!