I ordered 3 roosters from MacMurray when I got my group of 30 pullets in March. I have SEVEN roosters now (I'm assuming some mistaken sexing at the hatchery) and 35 pullets. They're all three months old now and I have TOO MANY roosters. What are the criteria you'd use (beyond looks) to evaluate which ones to keep? I ordered an Australorpe, a BO and a RIR. I have 2 BRs, 2 RIRs, a BO, an Australorpe and what appears to me to be a White Rock rooster. Some of them are starting to grab the hens by the back of the head so I want to clear them out before they get too aggressive. Thanks in advance!
I would suggest doing it in stages. Eat or rehome the 3-4 of them that you are most sure you *don't* want to keep, for whatever reasons are important to you. (Temperament, towards you AND towards the hen, might be a biggie; but you might have other priorities too). Then give the remaining ones a couple of months, or however long it takes til you once again start thinking of reducing the roo population, and at that point you will have a lot clearer idea which one(s) you want to keep long-term. Good luck, have fun, Pat
I would say by who is the least aggressive and who is nice/ Gentle to the hens. At least thats what I look for in a rooster. By the way the extra roosters you got were probably "packing peanuts".
I chose my last rooster based on my kids attachment to him. Not something I would suggest. It is hard to make a sound decision while they are "coming into their own". Sort of overblown hormone induced behavior. The big meanies tend to bully the rest of the flock. Those that are most aggressive with the ladies are the first to go! Choose one that knows he is second to you/family but takes good care of the ladies. Watchful, quiet, stands tall, one that carries an air of purpose. That is your fella' You may need more than one, if they can get along, with that number of hens.
