Getting rid of a rooster-how might it impact the flock?

[Beaglegal]

I have a rooster I want to cull because he is constantly crying wolf, like 10 times a day. I can’t possibly respond to that many alarms so I try and listen for other clues something might be wrong but I have missed a hawk attack because I thought it was a false alarm. They are mostly all false alarms. He will get all his hens riled up and squawking too. No one runs for cover when he alarms because he cries wolf so much. I want to cull him, but wonder if it would negatively impact flock dynamics. He is the closest thing to a leader that the flock has. I have also wondered if culling him would be a good time to combine my 2 flocks and downsize. Or is that too much change at once for chickens?

 

[FortCluck]

He’s probably not crying wolf. Roosters or cockerels sound for other reasons too. My roosters make calls all day long. When cockerels are under a year they’ll make a lot more noise than when they’re mature after a year old and considered a rooster.

Chickens can adapt to change. One of the hens will take his place as leader. They may start squabbles trying to decide who is where in the pecking order.

 

[MarkJr]

I’ve culled four. Off his roost at night. Walked out with him and shut the door. Hens and pullets were none the worse for wear. They were a little more on the lookout during free range time, but were overall calmer and more peaceful

 

[589205]

Well, I'd say if he's your only rooster and he's nice, if you really wanna keep him around your flock as protector then maybe consider getting or making a no-crow collar out of velcro for him if his crowing volume is your culprit. Otherwise, if he's acting aggressive or mean towards his own flock, young chicks or rest of flock for no good reason I would cull asap

 

[Ridgerunner]

I want to cull him, but wonder if it would negatively impact flock dynamics.

Any time you remove a dominant chicken flock dynamics can and probably will change. There is no way to know ahead of time if that will be negative or positive. One of the girls will step up and become flock master in his place. She will perform some of his duties. You won't know which duties and how well she performs them until she has her chance. Sounds like she couldn't much worse on protection.

I have also wondered if culling him would be a good time to combine my 2 flocks and downsize.

You can get different opinion on this. The way I look at this if you are going to mess with the pecking order just get t over with. If you do it in two stages you have disruption twice instead of once. I don't know the details of what you plan but generically speaking I'd try it.

 

[Beaglegal]

Well, I'd say if he's your only rooster and he's nice, if you really wanna keep him around your flock as protector then maybe consider getting or making a no-crow collar out of velcro for him if his crowing volume is your culprit. Otherwise, if he's acting aggressive or mean towards his own flock, young chicks or rest of flock for no good reason I would cull asap

He’s not much of a protector, none of the girls even listen to him now. When he starts to alarm, they look at our ducks to see if they should act. I have a really excellent rooster who is worth his weight in gold, I’m thinking I will just combine them.

 

[Beaglegal]

I want to cull him, but wonder if it would negatively impact flock dynamics.

Any time you remove a dominant chicken flock dynamics can and probably will change. There is no way to know ahead of time if that will be negative or positive. One of the girls will step up and become flock master in his place. She will perform some of his duties. You won't know which duties and how well she performs them until she has her chance. Sounds like she couldn't much worse on protection.

I have also wondered if culling him would be a good time to combine my 2 flocks and downsize.

You can get different opinion on this. The way I look at this if you are going to mess with the pecking order just get t over with. If you do it in two stages you have disruption twice instead of once. I don't know the details of what you plan but generically speaking I'd try it.

I think you are right, why cause upheaval twice? It will take more planning to execute but will probably be worth it.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I have missed a hawk attack because I thought it was a false alarm.

But you would have missed it anyways, right? Sorry for you loss!

Hawks being ambush predators, will fly in and land to watch the flock which is often when the alarm is sounded either by the cock or the lead hen (some are good). Chickens have short attention spans.. and quickly forget they are there and by the time we walk out, have no clue where they are watching and waiting from. They blend so well with their camouflage.. this is taken through a spotting scope with a cell ophone camera from probably 50 yards away..

With no scope it's just a shadow, this one was farther out on a branch but the same tree line to show how hard it is to see if you didn't watch them land. Both positions have clear view of my flocks..

I only keep roosters for eating and breeding. Regarding predators, they are more of a front line sacrifice.. BUT one who lets a hen get sacrificed, might not be worth his weight in feed. Cockerels don't count.

Even if all his calls sound the same to you, there should be differences that the hens can detect and know the meaning of. Sound like you already have a plan though, and I agree with ridgerunner's post.

Harvest (cull, sell, compost, give away, eat) anyone who isn't fitting with the program.. combine, downsize, make it work for YOU! Hope it goes smoothly.

 

[589205]

He’s not much of a protector, none of the girls even listen to him now. When he starts to alarm, they look at our ducks to see if they should act. I have a really excellent rooster who is worth his weight in gold, I’m thinking I will just combine them.

Sounds like you have a better flock protecting roo already (which is awesome!) Were the roosters raised together from brood? I think the worst thing that could happen is just them fighting or not getting along if they weren't raised together. In that case, cull. Also I think it's pretty cool that your flock looks up to your ducks to sound the real alarm my flock has had some very serious close calls with hawks before but they've always seemed to instinctively know when to run underneath trees, drop down low or make dash for the coop house for cover to escape every time.

 

[589205]

I haven't lost any in my care over the years so far...Knocking on wood for good luck as this upcoming Fall & Winter approaches! Hawks and eagles seem to come around more often only when there's less food in the area for them to eat