Keep the roos or get rid of them...?

[JodyJo]

I have an established flock of 14 hens, 2 roos, already gone through 2 natural hatchings, with a cochin now about to hatch hers out....most of the girls wear saddles due to torn off feathers, and exposed skin now on tops of wings.

I have a GORGEOUS roo...hate to get rid of him, but the ladies are almost bleeding even with the saddles...hate to see them all ripped up....question: what will happen to flock if I get rid of the roos now? Will they be lost without the boys.? I do have a few chicks, 10 weeks old + that could be roos, so I can keep one of those and give the girls a break and heal..


I was also told, once the feathers have been stripped away, they won't return?! I thought when they molted they would grow back, this friend told me, when pin feathers appear, the other chickens will peck and peck at each other...true?




this is my #1 roo.....he's nice no?! Need suggestions, I know I can separate them away for a while, but not sure hubby will build an enclosure just for a roo...help!

 

[bobbi-j]

He is beautiful! You have a few choices here. Get rid of one of the roos (why would it have to be this one and not the other?). Don't wait for hubby to build an enclosure. Figure it out yourself. You can do it! I'm not mechanically inclined in any way, shape or form. (Actually, I describe myself as mechanically impaired ) But it doesn't take much to dig in a few posts, put up some hardware cloth and find a shelter of some sort. Been there, done that. When you figure out how many of your new chicks are roos, you will need to find a way to decrease the number of roosters you have, or build a bachelor pen.

The torn out feathers will grow back once they have a break from the roosters.

 

[JodyJo]

I would get rid of the other one, he is more aggressive, he was my #1 roo, then this one took over..I can't just build something, we have a cattle ranch, with out buildings etc...to just put something up is not possible...hmmm, I think I already decided to get rid of roo #2, then see how it all works out. ...gotta keep the girls safe...and pretty, of course! Thx...

 

[Mrs. K]

I wonder how old your hen's are? Reason I am asking is that last year my roo was finally a year old, and all of my girls looked hard ridden, but in late summer, the feathers grew back, and they all looked just fine. I culled 3 of the older girls, and left my one 2 year old and pullets. Now this year, the pullets look tough, but the two year old looks just fine, and she is his favorite gal.

I think we tend to blame the roo for technique, but I think the hens have to learn a little technique too. If the bare backs bother you, well then give them a break, but I went down to my flock and really watched them, and while they looked tough, they did not act like they were stressed. They had great mobility, they were eating well, seldom scwabbled, and were laying well.

In my opinion, egg laying going off, is a sign that the bird is stressed. If a chicken is laying regularly, she is having her basic needs met.

Again if you want to get rid of your roo's, don't let me stop you, but if you can stand the sight of them looking a little rough, I really think it bothers us more than it bothers them. The feathers will grow back just fine. I just like my flock dynamics better with a roo, and mine has helped with the free ranging and predator loss. I have not lost a hen since he turned a year old.

Good roo's are hard to find, I would hate to get rid of one that I didn't need to.

MrsK

 

[JodyJo]

I wonder how old your hen's are? Reason I am asking is that last year my roo was finally a year old, and all of my girls looked hard ridden, but in late summer, the feathers grew back, and they all looked just fine. I culled 3 of the older girls, and left my one 2 year old and pullets. Now this year, the pullets look tough, but the two year old looks just fine, and she is his favorite gal.

I think we tend to blame the roo for technique, but I think the hens have to learn a little technique too. If the bare backs bother you, well then give them a break, but I went down to my flock and really watched them, and while they looked tough, they did not act like they were stressed. They had great mobility, they were eating well, seldom scwabbled, and were laying well.

In my opinion, egg laying going off, is a sign that the bird is stressed. If a chicken is laying regularly, she is having her basic needs met.

Again if you want to get rid of your roo's, don't let me stop you, but if you can stand the sight of them looking a little rough, I really think it bothers us more than it bothers them. The feathers will grow back just fine. I just like my flock dynamics better with a roo, and mine has helped with the free ranging and predator loss. I have not lost a hen since he turned a year old.

Good roo's are hard to find, I would hate to get rid of one that I didn't need to.

MrsK

you are correct....thx for the useful opinion...my girls are young, just barely a year...I believe some of the 'damage' is a molt, they are looking sparse in the front chest areas as well...I will most likely get rid of the reddish roo, he is mean to everyone, including us, and has been knocked out of the #1 spot, so maybe time for him to go anyhow...thanks again...appreciate it

 

[bobbi-j]

I would get rid of the other one, he is more aggressive, he was my #1 roo, then this one took over..I can't just build something, we have a cattle ranch, with out buildings etc...to just put something up is not possible...hmmm, I think I already decided to get rid of roo #2, then see how it all works out. ...gotta keep the girls safe...and pretty, of course! Thx...

I think getting rid of the more aggressive roo is a good idea. No need to keep one of those around! We live on a farm with lots of outbuildings, too. I've built enclosures in places in exsisting buildings. I've never built a shed or anything like that myself. Just made do with what I've had. (DH has built me a couple of buildings, though ) Of course, if all of your buildings are full, that's not so easy, either.