Help. Need advice. Young roo’s overmating pullets?

[BucksBoo]

I have 3 roo’s free ranging with 39 Pullets. All are about 3 1/2 months old. For some reason 2 of my hens are very weak. Two of my roo’s keep mating them. I have separated the two Pullets. Is it possible that they could die from the roo’s mating with them so young? I have worked diligently to get my hen to roo ratio balanced. I had far too many roo’s from getting straight run chicks. Once they started crowing I rehomed several. I also have 28 (5 week old) chicks (all supposed to be Pullets) and 17 (2 week old) chicks (all supposed to be Pullets) to add to my flock. I don’t understand why those two Pullets are so weary. Should I remove all roo’s from hen house at night? Should I remove them permanently from the flock? Every time I rehome the most dominant roo’s others take their position in the flock. They are all submissive to me and my dog that helps manage the flock. But they seem to be establishing position by overmating those two Pullets. What should I do? I can’t stand seeing them so weak. Thank you in advance.

 

[Percheron chick]

House the cockerels separate. Give the pullets time to grow up. You can try reintroducing the boys at 9 months. The only reason to keep them is if you want to hatch eggs. Otherwise, permanently solve the problem and get rid of them.

 

[Chicalina]

perhaps those two pullets have some underlying medical conditions/parasite load that make them weak and vulnerable. I would look into that first as it may be a flockwide problem but you haven't realised it yet or it hasn't got bad enough yet.

separate the pullets and investigate.

if you rule out any underlying issues, then i would separate the roosters into a bachelor pen, and mingle them only when you want fertile eggs

 

[EggSighted4Life]

But they seem to be establishing position by overmating those two Pullets. What should I do? I can’t stand seeing them so weak.

Hi there, hope you are enjoying BYC!

Cockerels are not roosters.. they're just hormonal, horny, teen age idiots.. taking advantage of the weakest in the flock and will carelessly mate them to death,

Those two weak gals.. may be facing Marek's, parasites, coccidiosis, crowding, nutrient deficit, bullying, or any number of conditions. Hard to say without the whole story. How much space, what is being fed on a regular basis, including treats and supplements? Current weather conditions?

Yes, it's common for flock members to take advantage and try to eliminate the competition. Survival of the fittest IS natures way.

Do you intend to hatch chicks? If not, I would consider rehoming ALL cockerels.. Only reason to keep a ROOSTER is eating and breeding or eye candy. And yes, sometimes the ladies do like them and they can be wonderful flock members. But young cockerels maturing in flock of ladies will usually run from lady to lady.. mating as often as possible.

ONCE they mature some they will court the ladies, take them out to dinner and dancing before mating. They will find special treats and call them to it, they will drop a wing and do a little shuffle dance and serenade, help look for nice nesting spots, escort the ladies to and fro, warm up chicks and call them to treats, the list goes on of wonderful rooster qualities. But those take time to develop.

There's NO such thing as right ration of hens to roos.. it depends on individual personalities.. if the roo chooses a favorite and over mates them.. according to their saddle feather/skin condition, then it won't matter how many other ladies are available. Likewise if the male ain't too randy with less ladies is fine.. I'm currently keeping 4 pullet and 2 cockerels (Bielefelder) with NO over mating issues, symptoms, or conditions. But previously had a couple cockerels that would chase down and tag team mate the weakest pullets out of about 30 ladies including hens every time they would spot them from clear across the pasture. The stronger one's offer more of a challenge.. and they just wanna spread their seed right now, they don't care to whom that is.

I quickly learned that IF I am going to keep cockerels WITHOUT a head cock already ruling the flock.. a bachelor pad/stag pen was a good solution for me. I let the boys grow up some and rough house/horse play with each other while they learn some manners and start to tidbit to the ladies through the fence. I actually like having a solid, well balanced head cock in the stag pen as well.. as it helps a LOT to keep the younger boys in line.

Wow, you're heading into chicken math in BIG way!

 

[aart]

I'd separate the cockerels for a couple months and check out those weak pullets.