First Time Ordering Chicks *update Chicks *

It's mainly for a security purpose. In case something happens, but in the case they should all survive one roo of each breed will stay and the rest would be sold. In my area, poeple are always looking for Poultry.
 
I don't mean to second guess your plans, but unless you're planning on separating them all into individual breeding groups, even keeping only one rooster from each breed leaves you with 6 roosters and 18 hens.

That's still WAY too many roosters for that size flock-- I'd be considering one roo, two at the MOST for 18 girls. You're really running the risk of the hens being torn up from over-breeding and a lot of rooster fights.
 
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Hip-hip hooray! More Dels in the world!!! Yay!

Hope you enjoy them... watch out! They will be the first to feather and fly!
 
Again, not meaning to second guess you, but that sounds like an interesting set up, though an awful lot of work to keep all those birds caged separately. What's your purpose for caging the roosters separately from the hens and each other? What are your plans for your flock?
 
I have several cages in my backyard that are for roosters and thier empty. This may help alittle https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=293658&p=1.Not that much work I've been around animals must of my life, thanks to my dad
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. My flocks mainly for egg production and they are beautiful creatures to have around.
 
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I think way too many roosters - security or not. Hatcheries make mistakes too and you might end up with more Roos. Good Luck!
 
Well, there are as many different set ups and ways to keep flocks as there are flocks, so far be it from me to tell you how to manage your birds!

I would say, though, there are a couple of things I've learned about keeping chickens that you may want to keep in mind.

First, chickens are happiest and healthiest when they have as much space as possible to move around. Unless there's a specific reason to cage roosters (like for breeding or show), I don't know why you'd want a whole host of birds living cooped up, who you're having to feed and clean up after, and serve no real purpose in your flock.

Second, hens are happiest, and the flock is most orderly, with a rooster or two roaming with them. I understand that there are a lot of people who cannot keep roosters for a variety of reasons, but if you're able, a good rooster or two with your girls generally keeps good order. To have 18 roosters, and keep them all caged, doesn't make a lot of sense for good flock dynamics.

I know you've said that you're ordering that many roosters so that you have extras if some don't make it, and you have an active poultry community to trade extras, but you really might want to rethink that. Although you might be able to give away a handful over time to people who lose one for one reason or another, most poultry keepers will be as glutted with them as you are.

Again, if it were me, I'd order 2 or 3 roos total, and see how you do with those. If you decide you want more over time, they should be easy as can be to acquire-- you've said you live in a large poultry community, and the breeds you've chosen aren't uncommon-- you ought to be able to have your choice of giveaways of any of those breeds later on in the season.

Good luck with your flock!
 
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I understand what your saying

The roosters won't always be caged and I'm keeping one for each breed. I know a man that would buy most of the roosters, it's a large poulty community but some of these breeds (Delaware, White leghorn,New Hamphsire, production red and the rhode island white is really rare in this area) are difficult to locate really close. Last year, i tried to buy some leghorns through a feed store and they had called the nearest hatchery and were told 100+ were need to be order to be able to place the order. This year i put in a order for several of these breeds thourgh the same hatchery and i still haven't got a reply back.

And also the different hybirds that could be made with these breeds.

But rooster are beautiful creatures to have.
 
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