Getting rid of cockerels - lonely pullet

[city_girl_farming]

Hello,

I have 2 cockerels and 1 pullet about 12 weeks old. I also have 6 chicks in a brooder that are 5 weeks old. I think it is time to remove the cockerels. One has been super sweet and curious with us, let's us pick him up etc and we have been going back and forth on keeping him or not. Mostly leaning on not keeping since we are first-time chicken keepers and not ready for the challenge. I keep reading that their temperament can change once they are hormonal and fully-grown. Only reason for keeping was to enjoy his presence and fully see the dynamics of a flock.

Anyway, I have introduced the chicks on a see-but-no-touch (they are in an enclosed small coop all day in the chicken yard) for the past week but still don't think they will be ready to be all together for another 1-2 weeks? My question is if I get of the cockerels now, how bad is it for the hen to be by herself for 2+ weeks? She seems to be indifferent to them when she sees them. Mainly the cockerels have been trying to peck at them over gate/wire.

I have a pallet for them to hide in the yard once the cockerels are gone and I release them. At night, I'm thinking of leaving the chicks in the mini coop and the pullet in the large new coop by herself until they'r all friends i guess

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

As long as she can see the younger ones she may be fine. I personally wouldn't keep a forward friendly cockerel, but that's my personal preference as I don't handle them, and prefer they are wary and respectful of me.

 

[city_girl_farming]

As long as she can see the younger ones she may be fine. I personally wouldn't keep a forward friendly cockerel, but that's my personal preference as I don't handle them, and prefer they are wary and respectful of me.

Oh wow. Is it a bad sign that he is forward friendly? A lot of these things are hard to interpret as first time chicken keepers.

 

[Bsmac]

Hello,

I have 2 cockerels and 1 pullet about 12 weeks old. I also have 6 chicks in a brooder that are 5 weeks old. I think it is time to remove the cockerels. One has been super sweet and curious with us, let's us pick him up etc and we have been going back and forth on keeping him or not. Mostly leaning on not keeping since we are first-time chicken keepers and not ready for the challenge. I keep reading that their temperament can change once they are hormonal and fully-grown. Only reason for keeping was to enjoy his presence and fully see the dynamics of a flock.

Anyway, I have introduced the chicks on a see-but-no-touch (they are in an enclosed small coop all day in the chicken yard) for the past week but still don't think they will be ready to be all together for another 1-2 weeks? My question is if I get of the cockerels now, how bad is it for the hen to be by herself for 2+ weeks? She seems to be indifferent to them when she sees them. Mainly the cockerels have been trying to peck at them over gate/wire.

I have a pallet for them to hide in the yard once the cockerels are gone and I release them. At night, I'm thinking of leaving the chicks in the mini coop and the pullet in the large new coop by herself until they'r all friends i guess

Hello! It might not hurt to let them in the same coup and see how it goes. Can`t hurt to try!

 

[city_girl_farming]

Hello! It might not hurt to let them in the same coup and see how it goes. Can`t hurt to try!

Yes I think we are going to do that this weekend once the cockerels are gone!!

 

[Bsmac]

Oh wow. Is it a bad sign that he is forward friendly? A lot of these things are hard to interpret as first time chicken keepers.

Oh wow. Is it a bad sign that he is forward friendly? A lot of these things are hard to interpret as first time chicken keepers.

Oh wow. Is it a bad sign that he is forward friendly? A lot of these things are hard to interpret as first time chicken keepers.

Oldhenlikesdogs I think is correct about friendly roosters. I have only raised one to maturity a very handsome Jersey Giant. He was friendly from a chick to full grown until I introduced him and the pullets to the flock and he began mating with them all. He gradually started acting like he was going to get aggressive with me so I re homed him. Maybe if I wasn`t hands on with my hens he may have been ok. Personally I think at least in my case flock dynamics are better without a rooster. At least not better with a young one.

 

[Bsmac]

Yes I think we are going to do that this weekend once the cockerels are gone!!

I would! Better for the lonesome hen!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Oh wow. Is it a bad sign that he is forward friendly? A lot of these things are hard to interpret as first time chicken keepers.

In my experiences. Others say differently. It all depends on the rooster. Once I stopped handling mine I saw no more aggression out of mine.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Oh wow. Is it a bad sign that he is forward friendly? A lot of these things are hard to interpret as first time chicken keepers.

What I’ve read here, and makes sense to me, is that if you handle them a lot and encourage cuddling when they’re little, they think of you as a member of the flock. Then, when the hormones kick in, they feel the need to establish dominance over you and show their authority, and things can get ugly.

There’s a lot to be said for treating cockerels, and even pullets, as someone from another team or company that you sometimes work with. You show them respect for their expertise, they do the same with you; you treat them in a friendly manner, but you don’t start buying them drinks and buddying up. You have your work to do, and they have theirs.

 

[city_girl_farming]

What I’ve read here, and makes sense to me, is that if you handle them a lot and encourage cuddling when they’re little, they think of you as a member of the flock. Then, when the hormones kick in, they feel the need to establish dominance over you and show their authority, and things can get ugly.

There’s a lot to be said for treating cockerels, and even pullets, as someone from another team or company that you sometimes work with. You show them respect for their expertise, they do the same with you; you treat them in a friendly manner, but you don’t start buying them drinks and buddying up. You have your work to do, and they have theirs.

This makes a lot of sense. Thanks for that analogy!