Mail-Order Chicks on Their Way but I am confused???

[Gigi Gigi]

Waiting and seeing is a good idea. May not ever be a problem. However, if you do have children, be very aware.

We are definitely wary of roosters around small children. When my husband was very young (about 4 or 5) he was playing in the yard and their rooster attacked him and cut him from above his eyebrows, down his eye and across the top of his cheek. He still has a small scar from it. They had rooster for dinner that night.

I agree not all roosters are aggressive, but it's better to be aware of the possibility and take precautions when small children are involved.

 

[8dirtybird8]

Ive had the best luck with silkie roosters but of the breeds you’re getting the wyandottes or orpingtons would be the best chance at having a nice rooster.
There is no need to separate them. They’ll be absolutely fine staying together as long as they have enough space.
I’ve also found it is helpful to keep 2 roosters around because they’ll focus of each other and won’t worry so much about attacking you.
As for the hawks- I have the same problem here. I use a coyote decoy which I move often and it seems to be an okay deterrent for the most part. Hawks don’t want to risk injury so if it looks like they could be injured they’ll go elsewhere for a meal.

 

[Piton]

A great choice mix of chickens. Different coloured eggs and appearance
They say generally it is prudent to house chickens of the same age together
You’ve got that right
Who is a cockerel will become apparent after 6 weeks

 

[BarredCometLaced]

Just going to throw in my experience here-- 9 years in the making. My silver laced wyandottes have always been flighty with me and aggressive with their chicken friends (they just don't want to be at the bottom of the pecking order). My golden laced wyandottes have always been human friendly and again, aggressive with their chicken friends.

On the contrary, I have a blue laced wyandotte roo who is the BIGGEST (like huge) pansy of a chicken I've ever seen. We got him last year, so he lives with a bunch of older hens, and he tries to assert himself but the girls just shut him down Roosters are an enigma to me... the small ones (in my experience) have always been more aggressive towards me. This new boy, Moose, watches me but has never come after me (knock on wood).

Also, I never separated the chicks who turned out to be roos from their pullet counterparts, and never had a problem!

Good luck with your new girls! I've got 4 on their way for April 22nd!

 

[chickenmeadow]

Hi All!

Well, I finally took to leap after reading up on just about all I can maintain in my head and ordered 18 chicks (all sexed females) of different breeds. Blue/Black/Splash Ameraucanas (3), Lavender Orpington (3), Barred Plymouth Rock (3), Buff Orpington (3), Silver Laced Wyandotte (3), and New Hampshire Red (3). They will arrive the week of March 25th.

This is my confusion...I know there is a chance that choosing sexed females is not a full guarantee and that I might end up with a cockerel, maybe two, and I won't know which breed and its temperament will potentially turn out being a cockerel. I chose only breeds that are known to be docile, except for maybe the Wyandotte. From my reading, "Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens" as well as on this forum, it is said, "at 3 to 8 weeks, depending upon the breed, peck-order fighting will get serious and sexual activity will start. If you haven't already done so, it's time to separate the cockerels from the pullets or at least to pare down the number of cockerels to a reasonable ratio for the number of pullets."

So, the potential ratio would be 1:17 assuming no deaths but I'm sure there will be or, 2:16 with the same potential deaths of One-Day Old chicks.

Here are my questions/concerns:

1) Why do I have to separate the cockerel at this time from the pullets if chickens are supposed to be flock animals?
2) I am kind of hoping I do get a cockerel because we have ~2 acres, with NO trees for protection, and have hawks, hawks, and hawks. I would like that "Alarm" system in place to protect the flock. But, is it naive of me to keep the cockerel when there is a possible chance he could create total mayhem to me and the flock?
3) I have done only research on hens and have no clue about roosters. If I do end up with a cockerel or two, should I just cull it (them) since this is my first rodeo?
4) Because I selected docile breeds (except for maybe the Wyandotte), does that docile nature known for the pullets/hens apply to the cockerels/roosters as well?

Your help and advice is greatly appreciated!

Hi All!

Well, I finally took to leap after reading up on just about all I can maintain in my head and ordered 18 chicks (all sexed females) of different breeds. Blue/Black/Splash Ameraucanas (3), Lavender Orpington (3), Barred Plymouth Rock (3), Buff Orpington (3), Silver Laced Wyandotte (3), and New Hampshire Red (3). They will arrive the week of March 25th.

This is my confusion...I know there is a chance that choosing sexed females is not a full guarantee and that I might end up with a cockerel, maybe two, and I won't know which breed and its temperament will potentially turn out being a cockerel. I chose only breeds that are known to be docile, except for maybe the Wyandotte. From my reading, "Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens" as well as on this forum, it is said, "at 3 to 8 weeks, depending upon the breed, peck-order fighting will get serious and sexual activity will start. If you haven't already done so, it's time to separate the cockerels from the pullets or at least to pare down the number of cockerels to a reasonable ratio for the number of pullets."

So, the potential ratio would be 1:17 assuming no deaths but I'm sure there will be or, 2:16 with the same potential deaths of One-Day Old chicks.

Here are my questions/concerns:

1) Why do I have to separate the cockerel at this time from the pullets if chickens are supposed to be flock animals?
2) I am kind of hoping I do get a cockerel because we have ~2 acres, with NO trees for protection, and have hawks, hawks, and hawks. I would like that "Alarm" system in place to protect the flock. But, is it naive of me to keep the cockerel when there is a possible chance he could create total mayhem to me and the flock?
3) I have done only research on hens and have no clue about roosters. If I do end up with a cockerel or two, should I just cull it (them) since this is my first rodeo?
4) Because I selected docile breeds (except for maybe the Wyandotte), does that docile nature known for the pullets/hens apply to the cockerels/roosters as well?

Your help and advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[chickenmeadow]

The little roosters usually show their stuff strongly around 5- 8 weeks, experience will give you a keen eye to maybe spot them sooner. It takes a few months before roosters need separating because of severe fighting, you'll see injuries & know when the time comes to rehome them. I only keep one roo around to avoid that.

I like your docile type breed choices, it's your best bet for a chance of compatable types & to experience a variety of breeds to see what you like. Still, within a flock of all the same kind, there is still their own selection of pecking order; so they decide who must be the leaders. Its always exciting to anticipate starting a new group or adding more to my flock, even after all these years. While doing your homework like you are, don't forget to enjoy the process of experience & learning. Best wishes on a full flock of pullets & maybe a perfect rooster.

 

[Alexandra33]

While you've already received a flood of invaluable advice, here's my take :

1) Why do I have to separate the cockerel at this time from the pullets if chickens are supposed to be flock animals?
There's no rule stating cockerels must be separated from the flock. I rarely do, unless it's necessary to keep the peace until culling time. Provided he's well-behaved, allowing him to socialize is best.
2) I am kind of hoping I do get a cockerel because we have ~2 acres, with NO trees for protection, and have hawks, hawks, and hawks. I would like that "Alarm" system in place to protect the flock. But, is it naive of me to keep the cockerel when there is a possible chance he could create total mayhem to me and the flock?
No worries, it's not naive. The fact you're so cautious proves otherwise. While he could theoretically cause distress to all involved, there aren't any guarantees. You don't know until you try! What if a perfect, model roo is the end result?
3) I have done only research on hens and have no clue about roosters. If I do end up with a cockerel or two, should I just cull it (them) since this is my first rodeo?
It's entirely up to you. However, the first cockerel would serve as a wonderful learning experience, if nothing else. We gain deeper understanding from our mistakes (not implying you will make any....but I certainly did initially! ) and successes.
4) Because I selected docile breeds (except for maybe the Wyandotte), does that docile nature known for the pullets/hens apply to the cockerels/roosters as well?
Not necessarily. Most I know claim Silkies, Brahmas, and Cochins are among the most docile. My experiences with them were, for the most part, awful. (though it's entirely possible they were mere victims of my past, errant method of raising cockerels, which turned out nothing but human aggressive jerks )

Most of all, have fun along the way.

~Alex

 

[analyticalblonde]

The little roosters usually show their stuff strongly around 5- 8 weeks, experience will give you a keen eye to maybe spot them sooner. It takes a few months before roosters need separating because of severe fighting, you'll see injuries & know when the time comes to rehome them. I only keep one roo around to avoid that.

I like your docile type breed choices, it's your best bet for a chance of compatable types & to experience a variety of breeds to see what you like. Still, within a flock of all the same kind, there is still their own selection of pecking order; so they decide who must be the leaders. Its always exciting to anticipate starting a new group or adding more to my flock, even after all these years. While doing your homework like you are, don't forget to enjoy the process of experience & learning. Best wishes on a full flock of pullets & maybe a perfect rooster.

Ahh...that was such a nice post! Thank you sooo much

 

[analyticalblonde]

While you've already received a flood of invaluable advice, here's my take :

1) Why do I have to separate the cockerel at this time from the pullets if chickens are supposed to be flock animals?
There's no rule stating cockerels must be separated from the flock. I rarely do, unless it's necessary to keep the peace until culling time. Provided he's well-behaved, allowing him to socialize is best.
2) I am kind of hoping I do get a cockerel because we have ~2 acres, with NO trees for protection, and have hawks, hawks, and hawks. I would like that "Alarm" system in place to protect the flock. But, is it naive of me to keep the cockerel when there is a possible chance he could create total mayhem to me and the flock?
No worries, it's not naive. The fact you're so cautious proves otherwise. While he could theoretically cause distress to all involved, there aren't any guarantees. You don't know until you try! What if a perfect, model roo is the end result?
3) I have done only research on hens and have no clue about roosters. If I do end up with a cockerel or two, should I just cull it (them) since this is my first rodeo?
It's entirely up to you. However, the first cockerel would serve as a wonderful learning experience, if nothing else. We gain deeper understanding from our mistakes (not implying you will make any....but I certainly did initially! ) and successes.
4) Because I selected docile breeds (except for maybe the Wyandotte), does that docile nature known for the pullets/hens apply to the cockerels/roosters as well?
Not necessarily. Most I know claim Silkies, Brahmas, and Cochins are among the most docile. My experiences with them were, for the most part, awful. (though it's entirely possible they were mere victims of my past, errant method of raising cockerels, which turned out nothing but human aggressive jerks )

Most of all, have fun along the way.

~Alex

Thank you so much, Alex! I am so happy that BYC exists because so many members have such great advice and experience like what you have shared with me. Thank you for taking your time and writing back to me...I really appreciate it!

 

[analyticalblonde]

The little roosters usually show their stuff strongly around 5- 8 weeks, experience will give you a keen eye to maybe spot them sooner. It takes a few months before roosters need separating because of severe fighting, you'll see injuries & know when the time comes to rehome them. I only keep one roo around to avoid that.

I like your docile type breed choices, it's your best bet for a chance of compatable types & to experience a variety of breeds to see what you like. Still, within a flock of all the same kind, there is still their own selection of pecking order; so they decide who must be the leaders. Its always exciting to anticipate starting a new group or adding more to my flock, even after all these years. While doing your homework like you are, don't forget to enjoy the process of experience & learning. Best wishes on a full flock of pullets & maybe a perfect rooster.

Good words to listen too...I am so excited AND nervous about the adventure I am going on...thank you for your kind words