Hello I am new here I have many questions about my 4 month old chickens and roosters

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Thank you! We have a total of 12 chickens, 1 rooster is in a separate cage because he got too mean with the other chickens. Then there are 2 or 3 more. I'm not sure if one is a hen or a rooster. So there are about 8 hens. I'm guessing we are going to have to get rid of 2 or 3 if they can't get along. I won't eat them. But my Hubby probably will
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chickens mom said:
Thank you! We have a total of 12 chickens, 1 rooster is in a separate cage because he got too mean with the other chickens. Then there are 2 or 3 more. I'm not sure if one is a hen or a rooster. So there are about 8 hens. I'm guessing we are going to have to get rid of 2 or 3 if they can't get along. I won't eat them. But my Hubby probably will
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Yes, with 8 hens you shouldn't keep but 1 rooster. I would pick out the rooster with the best temperament and cull the rest from the flock. Even if you want to breed chickens, 1 rooster is more than adequate to fertilize the eggs of 8 hens and this way you would be breeding good temperament into their offspring.
 
Thank you ! I was hoping to keep my favorite big yellow rooster but he has started to peck me when I try to pick him up. I don't know why he changed , he always let me pick him up and would totally relax. I think the red rooster will be the one we keep he has never tried to peck me. Yet anyway !
 
You know - hens will lay eggs even without a rooster. YOu only need a rooster if you plan on having fertile eggs that can be hatched into chicks. Even if the rooster is good to his hens, do you really want to keep aggressive roos ? They are especially dangerous if there are young children/ grand children in the picture. Kids are smaller and closer to the ground so more likely to get spurred or pecked in the face or eyes.
 
drumstick diva said:
You know - hens will lay eggs even without a rooster.
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X2 on what drumstick diva said. I currently have 25 hens, and no roosters. I get loads of eggs, have no extra mouths to feed that aren't laying eggs, no rooster fights to break up, no rooster trying to spur my granddaughter or anyone else, no crowing in the middle of the night, and no hens whose feathers have been chewed up by boys who play too rough. :eek:)
 
Roosters do have a very important role if you intend to free range your hens. He will protect them and it has been my experience that he will lay his life on the line and give the hens a chance to get to safety. In my breeder pens I have 2 x Roos to 5-7 hens and they usually get on if they have been reared together. Hormones play a big part in the change of temperament you are seeing in your roo.
Good luck with your flock. :)
 
Welcome to BYC
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You have way too many roosters with those hens, which could explain why your favourite is being a pain. The sweetest rooster will start getting cute when faced with rivals. I think removing the other roosters from the flock will help some, but I'm a little concerned that you say he pecked you. That is absolutely NOT o.k. Roosters can hurt people badly if they have a mind to, so it's better to nip that nonsense in the bud as soon as it starts. If he won't change his ways it's not worth keeping him, no matter how much you love him. I hope you can find a good solution here! It's not easy, I know. Good luck!
 
Thank you, sumi , yes he pecked me 3 times where I bled. I don't want any more baby chicks. Just want to take care of the ones we have. So I guess we will just keep the chickens. I don't want them hurting my grandchildren !'
 

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