Hens and Roosters together?

[olayak]

Have a plan B in mind. It is possible that the cockerels may die prior to starting to mate - just the nature of the beast. They are prone to leg problems and heart attacks. If they start breeding they may injure the pullets as @Molpet has suggested. They are large and very clumsy and can cause serious injury to the pullets.

We've been very careful and our roos are actually super healthy and not overweight at all! I know people who have cornish cross chickens who are 5 years old or more. The new hens, sadly, are very overweight. So, sadly, the problem may sort itself out eventually, if the pullets pass early. We will take care of them no matter how long they live. But, yes, we're aware that some cornish cross dont live long. But some do.

 

[Compost King]

Not sure if this idea would work for you but if you have other roosters and the means to do this, take your largest framed non meat bird rooster and breed it to one or more CX hen and sell the hatching eggs as your new Free Range Meat bird. Maybe even hatch a few out to see what they turn out like if you have the time and space to deal with it. As far as the problem you just addressed, keep it the way it is with Plan B at the ready. That was the best advice anyone could give you.

 

[olayak]

Thank you but we have no plans to breed, eat or sell any of these chickens. They're at our sanctuary. They were saved from a factory farm situation. We rescue chickens. But I appreciate the advice.