how many roosters with hens?

[Hen Pen Jem]

Oh, I posted the sign in front of my house.

 

[bobbi-j]

I have kept every rooster I've hatched/raised (I only ever buy straight-run) and I have 7 roos and 7 hens. The roosters are all kept in a rooster flock separate from the hen flock (except for one who stays with a bullied hen to keep her company). Just because you get too many roosters doesn't mean you have to get rid of them.

That's all good and well if you have endless room and money to feed them all. Not everyone is blessed that way. Eventually, if you keep hatching and keep keeping every rooster, it's going to get crowded or expensive.

I think i need to rehome my two roosters for the better and keep my new rooster that is scared of me.I just dont know anybody looking to add a rooster to there flock this time of year

I think Craigslist, your local shopper paper or a sign advertising them at your local feed store would be a place to start. Or - didn't I see another post from you stating you're selling 30 other chickens? How are you selling them? Advertising? Swap meet? Why can't you get rid of those roosters (or are they really cockerels - males under 1 year of age) at the same time?

I purchased a straight run of 6 chicks from TSC. I'm thinking I've got at least 2 roosters out of it. Plus one I know for sure because I ordered them. I have about 23 hens so I plan on keeping just 1 rooster in with them. The other roosters I'll turn loose in the yard to roam and fend for themselves. I have one that roams around already.

In my opinion, that's more cruel and irresponsible than lopping off their heads and putting them in the freezer. They are easy prey for a predator, and once your local predators find them, they won't last long. But at least you won't have to watch them die, probably, as it will likely happen at night. Around here, it would be either a raccoon eating them while they're still alive, or a Great Horned Owl popping of their heads. Then you'd have to see the aftermath. If you have kids, I hope they aren't the ones who find the decapitated chicken bodies under their roosting tree in the morning. Coyotes, I think, would make it quick. Just nab them and go, eating them away from the scene. Of course, there is still the few minutes of terror those chickens will have to endure before they die.

I just want to know there going to go to a good home and thats going to be hard since its almost winter and alot of people arnt looking for roosters.

I would love your roosters (or cockerels), but I'll admit - they'd be going in my freezer. (I live too far away from you, so don't worry, they're safe from me.) I think you're best off just finding them a new home and not asking any questions.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

That's all good and well if you have endless room and money to feed them all. Not everyone is blessed that way. Eventually, if you keep hatching and keep keeping every rooster, it's going to get crowded or expensive.

I decided to stop getting more chickens for this very reason.

But, it's also the same if someone keeps every hen they hatch. Unless they run an egg business and have thousands of hens.

 

[bobbi-j]

I decided to stop getting more chickens for this very reason.

But, it's also the same if you keep every hen you hatch. Unless you run an egg business and have thousands of hens.

I don't keep every hen I hatch. (This year, it's really not a problem - predators took most of my flock and I'm down to 4 birds from almost 30 - unfortunately, only 2 hens, a rooster and a cockerel. One of those males is going to die before winter. I just haven't decided which one yet.) I rotate my stock, so to speak. I let broodies hatch, put the extra cockerels in the freezer, and put the spent hens (over 2 or 3 years old) in my pantry after I pressure can them. It's a practical way for me to keep refreshing my flock. I don't have the resources to keep every bird we hatch here. I think my chickens have a good life, until that last day when they have a bad 30 seconds or so. That's the maximum amount of time it takes to catch them and do the deed. (Well, DH does it because I'm not confident enough to do it myself. We use the hatchet and stump method, and I would probably amputate my leg if I tried it.)

 

[Toothpick]

In my opinion, that's more cruel and irresponsible than lopping off their heads and putting them in the freezer. They are easy prey for a predator, and once your local predators find them, they won't last long. But at least you won't have to watch them die, probably, as it will likely happen at night. Around here, it would be either a raccoon eating them while they're still alive, or a Great Horned Owl popping of their heads. Then you'd have to see the aftermath. If you have kids, I hope they aren't the ones who find the decapitated chicken bodies under their roosting tree in the morning. Coyotes, I think, would make it quick. Just nab them and go, eating them away from the scene. Of course, there is still the few minutes of terror those chickens will have to endure before they die.

I've had a rooster roaming the yard for about a month now. And my neighbor has 4 roaming his yard and has for a long time. Even has a hen with chicks that roams between his yard and ours. Pretty sure the chickens are almost fully grown. It's been at least 4 months I've seen them. Needless to say predators are not a concern. I'm not saying it will never happen - just that I nor him are concerned.

I respect your opinion as you are entitled to it. I simply have a different one. Cheers!

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

I've had a rooster roaming the yard for about a month now. And my neighbor has 4 roaming his yard and has for a long time. Even has a hen with chicks that roams between his yard and ours. Pretty sure the chickens are almost fully grown. It's been at least 4 months I've seen them. Needless to say predators are not a concern. I'm not saying it will never happen - just that I nor him are concerned.

I respect your opinion as you are entitled to it. I simply have a different one. Cheers!

Wouldn't a standard-sized chicken eventually starve?

 

[Farmgal101]

That's all good and well if you have endless room and money to feed them all. Not everyone is blessed that way. Eventually, if you keep hatching and keep keeping every rooster, it's going to get crowded or expensive.


I think Craigslist, your local shopper paper or a sign advertising them at your local feed store would be a place to start. Or - didn't I see another post from you stating you're selling 30 other chickens? How are you selling them? Advertising? Swap meet? Why can't you get rid of those roosters (or are they really cockerels - males under 1 year of age) at the same time?


In my opinion, that's more cruel and irresponsible than lopping off their heads and putting them in the freezer. They are easy prey for a predator, and once your local predators find them, they won't last long. But at least you won't have to watch them die, probably, as it will likely happen at night. Around here, it would be either a raccoon eating them while they're still alive, or a Great Horned Owl popping of their heads. Then you'd have to see the aftermath. If you have kids, I hope they aren't the ones who find the decapitated chicken bodies under their roosting tree in the morning. Coyotes, I think, would make it quick. Just nab them and go, eating them away from the scene. Of course, there is still the few minutes of terror those chickens will have to endure before they die.


I would love your roosters (or cockerels), but I'll admit - they'd be going in my freezer. (I live too far away from you, so don't worry, they're safe from me.) I think you're best off just finding them a new home and not asking any questions.

Thankyou for making some great points my 30 chickens are up on this web sight.I really want to keep my roosters i think i might expanded there pen and add more hens.

 

[Farmgal101]

There not attacking my legs anymore i tried out the method and it worked.

 

[Farmgal101]

Also I am looking to raise Cayuga ducks i just separated my duck from all of these chickens due to him trying to mate.Now i am looking for two female Cayugas.Any ideas where I can find any close to me I already tried craigslist. This is lucky He was the only one to live from a racoon my nbr didnt have any protection so he gave him to me.would love to raise ducklings as well as chicks.

 

[Toothpick]

It's been at least 4 months I've seen them

Wouldn't a standard-sized chicken eventually starve?

Nah, I don't think so. Unless it takes longer than 4 months. Wild birds survive, and other wild animals. They are pretty good at fending for themselves.

Haven't found a tick on me in a while too. That's an added bonus.