I was supposed to get hens!

[newchicks13]

So, a few months back I bought 7 chickens that were around 10 weeks old from a nearby farm. I was told that they had been sexed and that they were all hens. I know there is some chance of getting roos but, as they are approaching 6 months old, it is becoming quite apparent that 5 of the 7 are roosters. Clearly, I am a chicken novice (in fact, this is the first time I bought chickens of my own) and I have these guys in a big coop. My question is how long can they stay in this space together before they start to fight? Will they start to fight? They charge at one another all the time... but I don't know what to expect. I have never had a rooster. I would like to keep one, but don't know how long it will take me to sell the rest. I imagine selling them won't be as easy as selling a hen. Anyone need a rooster? Thanks for all your help!

 

[paddock36]

Chances are it would probably be easier just to give them a way if your not up to butchering them yourself. Eventually they will start fighting for dominance over the hens and each other.

 

[newchicks13]

Oof. Yes, I am afraid that even giving them away may be a task. Sheesh. Thanks.

 

[ChooksChick]

What breed(s) are they? Some breeds have large combs and wattles in the pullets, not just in the roos.

Further, at 6 mos, the girls will be making the egg song as they warm up to lay- it's quite possible what you're experiencing is the maturing of the pullets, with 2 lagging behind, thus looking more like you'd expects a pullet to- without experience.

Is the noise they're making like this: "Bok-bok-bok-bok BA-GAWK!!!!! Bok- ba-GAWK!!!!"

Or is it the classic, "RRRR-rrrr-rrrrr-rrrrr-rr RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!"

That last will be the roos, the first will be the egg song.

If you can post some pics for us, we can sex them fairly quickly.

At this age, though, don't give any away until you hear the REAL crow (that second noise, just like you hear in movies).

Back to your question, girls will also do the sparring stuff, and if they are roos, you can have a bachelor pad- just no girls allowed.

You'll want them to have plenty of space for them to get out of each other's way, and that makes a big difference...at least so I hear. I haven't had to deal with that one.

 

[alycoop]

We had the same thing happen - bought 8 sexed chicks - and ended up with a couple of roos. Might be luck of the draw.

 

[Mahonri]

First time around for me, we got two roos out of 29. A little better than the 10% We are told to expect.

 

[newchicks13]

Hey thanks everyone! I'll try to post some pics in the morning and maybe you can help out. I have certainly heard and seen one of them crow and another one of them is starting to get the curved tail feathers. The rest are just really big! I am not totally certain of all their breeds but one is an Easter Egger, one is a RIR, one is a barred rock and the other two are questionable. I really don't mind the crowing (even at 4am) they are far enough away from my window that the sound is kinda nice. But, I did buy them (I thought!) for egg production and am going to have to remedy the situation some how. They are very pretty though!

 

[newchicks13]

Ok. So, after throwing them some scratch this morning and investigating further... I think I have all roos. I also think that I had the "wool pulled over my eyes."

The remaining two that are smaller and henlike, seem to have pointed neck feathers. They wouldn't get close enough yesterday for me to see them! Sigh. I posted some pics. Some i know are roos... but any breed identification help would be awesome ... since most will have to move on. Thanks again!

 

[speckledhen]

The Golden Laced Wyandotte is a girl(third pic from bottom). All others appear to be male, at least the ones I can see. Someone unloaded their extra roosters on you.

I see a Red Sexlink roo, a black sexlink roo (last pic) and a Delaware rooster (white one with tail barring) as well as a Silver Laced Wyandotte rooster. I'm not sure if the Del is purebred, though.

 

[AHappychick]

yep only see one hen, but you have some very tasty meals there. I would look for a processor and send them to freezer camp but keep your favorite.

sorry you got dupped. I dont know how people sell like that, its horrible.