Getting rid of a rooster

[jenn22712]

The boys

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thank you all. The one we are thinking of giving to a friend (jersey giant) seems to be the dominant one. Constantly crows. High strung, constantly chases and mates the girls non stop to where they run and hide. Won't allow hens to eat near him. Our other boy (dark brahma) is laid back, not crowing yet but always keeps an eye on the girls and interferes when the other gets to be a bit much for the girls. Has not starting mating yet. Every once and awhile the boys will face off and surprising our jersey is the one to back down. I would keep both as they both seem to bring good qualities to the flock however we just aren't looking to have 2 boys and are afraid of them truly fighting each other. And our jersey does seem to be stressing the girls out.

Good decision.

 

[spiritbrook]

I think it will boil down to if you want fertile eggs or not. Fourteen hens to one rooster is getting up there, as one person already mentioned. The chasing could be hormones and would probably slow down with time. If you had some older hens who are less likely to be intimidated and run he might slow down some. I have chickens that I'm raising to show so I have a few extra roos. I rotate them with who is out at a time and lock the others away. When I want to keep eggs then they will be penned with selected hens. If his type is nice and you are breeding with the goal of having nice purebred or grade flock I'd just give him some a half day time out once in a while. If you get rid of him you might find the less dominant rooster getting too randy with the hens in his absence and decide that he is really going to be the gentleman of the pair once he grows up.

 

[jenn22712]

I think it will boil down to if you want fertile eggs or not. Fourteen hens to one rooster is getting up there, as one person already mentioned. The chasing could be hormones and would probably slow down with time. If you had some older hens who are less likely to be intimidated and run he might slow down some. I have chickens that I'm raising to show so I have a few extra roos. I rotate them with who is out at a time and lock the others away. When I want to keep eggs then they will be penned with selected hens. If his type is nice and you are breeding with the goal of having nice purebred or grade flock I'd just give him some a half day time out once in a while. If you get rid of him you might find the less dominant rooster getting too randy with the hens in his absence and decide that he is really going to be the gentleman of the pair once he grows up.

We are not wanting fertile eggs for hatching. Just want eggs for eating. We got a roo (plus one "girl" was a boy) just for added protection and we enjoy having a roo around. Were I'm torn is I don't want a roo that will stress the hell out of my girls. However I don't want to rehome the jersey and have the brahma turn out to be worse as he ages.

 

[jenn22712]

I guess my question now is at what age do boys show who they truly are and what should I watch out for as in them doing more harm than good for our girls??

 

[lazy gardener]

In as few as words possible, they will move on if they even notice. They're chickens.

Egg production is neither enhanced of negatively affected by the presence or absence of a rooster.

If your goal is to hatch fertile eggs, many will be infertile on day 7 when candled. Even 2 roosters would have a hard time servicing that many hens.

That has not been my experience. My roo has easily serviced 24 hens with very good fertility. IIRC, only one non fertile egg out of 26.

I guess my question now is at what age do boys show who they truly are and what should I watch out for as in them doing more harm than good for our girls??

I would watch the boys for temperament: are they showing any signs of human aggression? Signs of hen aggression? Do the pullets prefer the company of one cockrel to that of the other? Does one dance to woo the ladies? Does one tid bit more than the other? Does one round up the ladies and take them in at night? Is one better at watching the sky/ground for predators, and sending the alarm? Is one more gentle when it comes to breeding? And, which one has the physical characteristics you want to pass forward to next generations? Granted, they are still young, and it will take a year or more for you to see the finished product (a fully mature roo who is a good flock master), but you can make choices based on what you see now.

I am currently assessing 2 Buck Eye cockrels. If either one of them make the grade, he will be allowed to stay to add his genes to my varied gene pool.

 

[jenn22712]

That has not been my experience. My roo has easily serviced 24 hens with very good fertility. IIRC, only one non fertile egg out of 26.



I would watch the boys for temperament: are they showing any signs of human aggression? Signs of hen aggression? Do the pullets prefer the company of one cockrel to that of the other? Does one dance to woo the ladies? Does one tid bit more than the other? Does one round up the ladies and take them in at night? Is one better at watching the sky/ground for predators, and sending the alarm? Is one more gentle when it comes to breeding? And, which one has the physical characteristics you want to pass forward to next generations? Granted, they are still young, and it will take a year or more for you to see the finished product (a fully mature roo who is a good flock master), but you can make choices based on what you see now.

I am currently assessing 2 Buck Eye cockrels. If either one of them make the grade, he will be allowed to stay to add his genes to my varied gene pool.

That's where my problem is. My jersey is 50/50 with the girls. He will wait outside the coop until the majority if not all are in for the night and half the girls will follow him around during the day. However he won't allow any to eat with him and chases and mates way to often to where they run and hide. My brahma will get in between him and girls sometimes. Is nice to the girls and will eat with them. However he isn't mature enough although same age to mate yet. The half that doesn't follow the jersey follows him. They have separate coops and at night my brahma is hanging out the door on guard every night. Genes isn't an issue for me as I won't be hatching any eggs.

 

[jenn22712]

That's where my problem is. My jersey is 50/50 with the girls. He will wait outside the coop until the majority if not all are in for the night and half the girls will follow him around during the day. However he won't allow any to eat with him and chases and mates way to often to where they run and hide. My brahma will get in between him and girls sometimes. Is nice to the girls and will eat with them. However he isn't mature enough although same age to mate yet. The half that doesn't follow the jersey follows him. They have separate coops and at night my brahma is hanging out the door on guard every night. Genes isn't an issue for me as I won't be hatching any eggs.

Both boys are friendly with us.

 

[Ridgerunner]

If one backs down he is not the dominate one. Dominance is not determined by size but by spirit.

From what you've described I think you have made the right decision.

 

[lazy gardener]

From your description I'd keep the Brahma. However, if you're not planning to hatch, why keep either one????