Looks like 2 roos and 1 hen, getting really attached., what do I do!!!

[eal1234]

Newbie here, haven't posted pictures yet, but it looks like two of my three, 7 week old babies are roos.... They are so friendly and I am getting really attached to them. From what I have seen so far on the boards, it seems that two roos and one hen are not going to work!! Do not want to have two many chickens(I live in a subdivision with only one acre)any suggestions??

 

[Freebird]

Quote:
Not to be a downer, but I'd be surprised if you will be able to keep ANY roos in a subdivision long term. Roosters are ungodly loud. They will crow at all hours of the day. You have some very understanding neighbors if they don't end up complaining.

Personally, I would sell/give away/trade the cockerels and try to get some more pullets to replace them. If your neighbors are OK with it, I'd definately limit it to one rooster.

 

[eal1234]

Thanks.... I guess I just needed confirmation from someone else. The worst part is, the only pullet is the least friendly. Do you think I should get rid of all three and start over. I'm concerned about the whole bringing in new chicks thing.

 

[AmyBella]

I feel your pain! I have three chicks the same age as yours and two are boys! Of course, my favorite is one of the roos... he's blind in one eye and sweet as can be. I want to keep him but my DH has a firm no rooster policy. The other is a holy terror! He was actually crowing this morning!

We have an older flock, so we can eventually integrate the girl. I feel bad breaking up their little group. I hope that you can find a home for your roosters and get some nice pullets to keep your little girl company. Good luck!

 

[AmyBella]

I had the same though - giving all three away so they could stay together. That would probably be less stressfull than each of them being on their own in a new situation.

 

[Freebird]

If you can find someone to take them all, that may not be a bad way to go about it. Then you can get sexed chicks so you know (well, at least are fairly certain) you'll be getting pullets.

There's nothing wrong with keeping the pullet you have, but you'll want to keep the current one seperated from, but preferably within sight of, the new chicks until the chicks catch up a bit in size and maturity. That may or may not be what you want to do depending on your situation. If it's going to be an issue and you are not too attached to the current pullet, I would just try to get me 3-4 new pullet chicks and go from there. It's a bummer, but that's the downside of 'straight run' chicks if you only want a few and aren't in a position where you can/want to butcher the extra birds.

 

[jjdward]

Don't feel bad about ending up with too many boys. i got 6 ducks in april and 5 are drakes.

Just my luck