Killer chickens?

[Gallmanck]

Ok so I purchased a variety of breeds through Murray McMurray Hatchery, 24 chickens total. I believe they threw in some extra chickens, "just in case," although they all survived. I believe all the extras are Red Sex-link roosters and we have 5 of them. They are almost 2 months old now and last night I found two dead hens in the coop. I've noticed some aggression from those rooster, could it be that they are killing the hens?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Lokibinian]

I don't think the roosters would be killing the hens, since most roosters' hormones start raging at about four months. It's a slight possibility though. Were there any marks on the hens' bodies that could indicate the roosters were the problem?

 

[fat marans]

Chickens can attack each other ferociously if their sizes are too disparate, but since they are all the same age such bullying is less likely.

 

[Gallmanck]

Oh. Well I noticed today when shutting up the coop for the night. Sometimes there are a few that I have to put inside by hand. When putting a RIR hen inside, the rooster pinned her down and started pecking at her! I shooed him away but I'm worried they may keep doing this. I couldn't tell how the white orpington died, but the other RIR that was killed looked to have been attacked. Keep in mind that I'm no homicide investigator. Lol.

 

[Lokibinian]

A problem could be the ratio of hens to roosters. A good number is nine or ten hens for one rooster, and if there's five roosters and twenty-four hens, that may start some issues.
Maybe you could put two roosters with the hens and three put in a pen somewhere.

Hope this helps!

 

[barred2rock]

Turn the attacker(s) into stew or better yet chicken chowder.

 

[FrankHomestead]

Turn the attacker(s) into stew or better yet chicken chowder.

Yes, don't try turning your world upside down to change behaviors...get rid of the rotten ones and make a delicious dinner

 

[Lokibinian]

I wouldn't disagree if the roosters were six months or so, but two months is really not enough time to know if it's a good or bad rooster. I know people who's roosters were the worst, then became the best flock protector. Of course, that's not always the case, haha, I'm not trying to contradict you.

Gallmanck, I'm not trying to tell you what to do either. Hope everything turns out okay for the hens!

 

[Top Rooster]

Just get rid of the roosters their not worth it trust me. Anyway I don't think they killed them though what did their bodies look like when you found them? What is your weather lately? Is your coop 100% secure?

 

[ChiefSuperFly]

I don't think the roosters would be killing the hens, since most roosters' hormones start raging at about four months. It's a slight possibility though. Were there any marks on the hens' bodies that could indicate the roosters were the problem?

Sorry to hijack!! But I feel similar to the op. I've got a 6 month old silkie rooster who has this raging hormone thing going on as of last week.. little guy is jumping my guineas and some young lavenders and suddenly my smallest lav is appearing to have wry neck... she's 16weeks and I've had her since a day old with no problems ever. She got in with him and wrestled her down violently and now she's pathetic I've got her separated but then he jumped the dang guinea! A SILKIE! Is he gonna calm down?