How to help hens adjust after rooster removal

[friema]

We have 12 older chickens and 15 12-week-old chicks. In the older flock, we have two roosters; in the younger flock, we have at least four roosters (still discovering who's who). Our older rooster is starting to act aggressive and attacks our family including grandchildren. We have decided to euthanize him and the four known cockerels which will leave the young rooster from the older group as the head of both flocks which hopefully will combine more as time goes on. My question: How can we do this in the best way for the good of the entire flock? How can we help the older hens adjust to the absence of the older rooster? Thanks!

 

[sourland]

They will adjust just fine. I would remove the human aggressive rooster before someone gets hurt. I would also remove the young cockerels as soon as they are large enough to eat.

 

[Ridgerunner]

How can we help the older hens adjust to the absence of the older rooster? Thanks!

I agree. Just do it and stay out of the way. They will manage on their own.

 

[aart]

My question: How can we do this in the best way for the good of the entire flock? How can we help the older hens adjust to the absence of the older rooster? Thanks!

They will be fine, probably hold a party of celebration!
There may be some pecking order shifts/battles,
but overall the flock will be much calmer and 'happier' with all those extra males gone.

 

[RollTideChicken]

I took a couple roos out and their hens adjusted fine. It was funny for about a week because it seemed I was the interim flock master. The hens would not go to roost (if they were free ranging) until I came out to look in on them. They'd be at my garden gate waiting on me or sitting up on the fence, but it soon stopped.