How to decide which Roo to keep (and which to dispatch).

[Happy Novogens]

My youngest Roo is now 5 months old. He's starting to mount the gals he hatched with (6 of them). My older Roo isn't having that. He has his 5 gals. But all 13 chickens are housed together in a run.

From what I've been reading, I'll have to decide which Roo to keep and which to eat.

So two questions...

1. Will removing the older Roo be traumatic for the hens (particularly the older hens that are used to him).

2. The older Roo will be 3 years old in 3 months. Is that "old?" Would he still be edible?

If it matters, the older Roo is a Bielefelder. The younger Roo, and the rest of that hatch, are a mix of that Bielefelder and ISA Browns.

 

[Buckeye Amy]

Good animal husbandry dictates that you remove the older male and replace with the younger one. Killing the younger bird isn't good practice. That being said, I would choose the bird that is the best match for the flock dynamic. Yes, removing the older one will create a change in structure, but I doubt there will be "trauma". Birds are resilient. And yes, 3 years old might be on the tough side. I recommend pressure cooking or slow cooking all day for older birds. Best wishes with whatever you choose!

 

[Happy Novogens]

Thank you for your reply. That is helpful!

 

[Perris]

From what I've been reading, I'll have to decide which Roo to keep and which to eat.

you could read more. I have 7 roos and ? cockerels in a flock of 36 (24 adults, 12 chicks, currently). It depends on your keeping conditions. Mine free range dawn till dusk. But all the males share 4 coops between them at night.

 

[EggzactlyRight]

I always have a hard time deciding which rooster to keep because they can absolutely live together without any issues if there are enough resources and hens (and space), but I really don't enjoy having to listen to 3-4 roosters going at it at sunrise, and I don't think the neighbors appreciate it either.

Removing the older rooster almost certainly won't be bad for the hens in any serious way. They tend to adjust fairly quickly, especially if another rooster steps in and takes over the “protector” role. That said, the older hens might act a little off for a day or two if they were really used to him, but they’ll likely follow the new flock dynamics just fine. Hens are mostly concerned with safety, pecking order, and access to food and space. If the young rooster keeps peace and order, the hens will move on and be happy with him.

Three isn’t young, but it’s not ancient either. He's mature, for sure. Roosters don't have a lot of meat compared to hens or broilers, and older birds tend to be tough if you try to cook them like a young fryer. But yes, he is very much edible. The key is in how you cook him. Slow and low is your friend. ​

 

[Happy Novogens]

you could read more. I have 7 roos and ? cockerels in a flock of 36 (24 adults, 12 chicks, currently). It depends on your keeping conditions. Mine free range dawn till dusk. But all the males share 4 coops between them at night.

I was hoping I'd be able to keep them both. They are all housed in a 10' x 20' run most of the time. They are let out to free range for 2-4 hours in the late afternoon.

It is when they are out that the younger Roo tries to mount a hen which then incites the older Roo to chase him off.

Others have said that this could not only lead to injury to the hen, but could escalate eventually to an all out fight once the younger one gets older.

 

[Perris]

Others have said that this could not only lead to injury to the hen, but could escalate eventually to an all out fight once the younger one gets older.

yes it could but it hasn't here yet; the boys are trying to knock each other off not harm the hen. And an all out fight is rarely fatal when the loser can run away; it's when they are trapped in confinement that they sustain really serious injuries or get killed.

 

[Happy Novogens]

I always have a hard time deciding which rooster to keep because they can absolutely live together without any issues if there are enough resources and hens (and space), but I really don't enjoy having to listen to 3-4 roosters going at it at sunrise, and I don't think the neighbors appreciate it either.

Removing the older rooster almost certainly won't be bad for the hens in any serious way. They tend to adjust fairly quickly, especially if another rooster steps in and takes over the “protector” role. That said, the older hens might act a little off for a day or two if they were really used to him, but they’ll likely follow the new flock dynamics just fine. Hens are mostly concerned with safety, pecking order, and access to food and space. If the young rooster keeps peace and order, the hens will move on and be happy with him.

Three isn’t young, but it’s not ancient either. He's mature, for sure. Roosters don't have a lot of meat compared to hens or broilers, and older birds tend to be tough if you try to cook them like a young fryer. But yes, he is very much edible. The key is in how you cook him. Slow and low is your friend. ​

Haha. We have a neighbor that has multiple roosters and they crow a ton at dusk, lol. By comparison, I have the "quiet" chickens.

I've been wondering how soon I'll need to take action. Right now, the younger one runs away when the older one comes near... he even runs when some of the older hens chase him off. I'm sure that'll change as he grows.

Looks like I'll be digging out my crockpot.

 

[Happy Novogens]

yes it could but it hasn't here yet; the boys are trying to knock each other off not harm the hen. And an all out fight is rarely fatal when the loser can run away; it's when they are trapped in confinement that they sustain really serious injuries or get killed.

I see. That would be a concern then since they spend the majority of their time enclosed in the run.

Two of the last three weeks, I had to greatly reduce their free range time because we have had temps hovering around 112F. When it's that hot, I can manage to keep them cool in their run. But when they are let out, they chose to pant under the patio. So instead I keep them where I know it's cooler (misters, wading pools, ice in water buckets, shade, breeze access).

 

[Ridgerunner]

1. Will removing the older Roo be traumatic for the hens (particularly the older hens that are used to him).

You do not have a 5 month old rooster. You have an immature cockerel going through puberty. This could create some turmoil if you eliminate the older rooster. It is unlikely he is mature enough to dominate all of the older hens so some of them might beat him up to keep him in line. Each chicken has its own personality and each flock has its own dynamics so I cannot guarantee you anything but I'd consider it possible it could be rough down there. He will eventually mature enough to take over and life will get peaceful when he does. Sometimes that interlude can be really peaceful, sometimes it can be pretty rough. I've had it happen both ways but I have not had any (the cockerel or the hens) be seriously injured.

2. The older Roo will be 3 years old in 3 months. Is that "old?"

I would not consider hm too old to be an efficient flock master. Each is an individual so it can vary but I'd think he probably has another two or three good years in him.

Would he still be edible?

Depends on how you cook him. Coq Au Vin is how the French turn an old rooster into a gourmet meal. Chicken and Dumplings are usually how you cook an old hen but it will work for an old rooster also. Some people would pressure cook him. The crock pot could work well.

The way I cook my old roosters is to cut them up into serving pieces. I include the back, neck, gizzard, and heart as serving pieces. I put about half in the crock pot with a bit of carrot and celery, onion and garlic. I add herbs like basil, oregano, or thyme. Cover with water. I cook that on low overnight (usually around 20 hours) and strain off the liquid. I de-fat that liquid and use it as some of the best chicken broth you will ever have. Then I pick the meat and use that for tacos, chicken salad, in soup, or to make a chicken sandwich. Then do the other half of the meat.

There are lots of ways to make a really good meal out of an old rooster but if you try frying or grilling you will be greatly disappointed.

They are all housed in a 10' x 20' run most of the time.

That's not a lot of room but you can try. Sometimes they fight to the death, sometimes they can reach an accommodation on how to work together. The more room they have the better. If you try, be observant and ready to intervene if you need to.

It is when they are out that the younger Roo tries to mount a hen which then incites the older Roo to chase him off.

Perfectly normal. At some point the immature cockerel might not run away which could lead to a big fight.

Others have said that this could not only lead to injury to the hen, but could escalate eventually to an all out fight once the younger one gets older.

Could is the operative word. It does not mean that it absolutely will. It is highly unlikely a hen would be hurt in a fight between them but serious injury to one of the fighters is certainly possible.