managing cockerels til the day...

[mockcherry]

I ordered a straight run. Knew I would have to cull some boys. But they are being impossible. They are 6.5 weeks old. I'm in NJ. I would have no problem separating them into smaller groups - using bunny hutches - butI'm not sure how I'm going to warm them at night - can still get into the 30's here at night and they are not fully fledged. They are driving me bonkers. They are still living with the pullets. I know they need to be separated. If I just pull the boys - figure out how to warm them at night, will they take it down a notch? I'm not sure I can last till they are ready to be processed. It was a dumb idea, I know. But they may go to auction this week, if they are not careful. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Lollipop]

Sooo, what breed are they and what are they doing that is so bad? At 6 1/2 weeks they`re still babies.........Pop

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Are they still in your house? Are you giving them additional heat - like a heat lamp? If so are you leaving it on day and night?


At four weeks, my chicks are mostly feathered and if still in the house, their heat is slowly weaned from them. Turn off the heat during the day, then after a couple days, off at night. Once they have no heat at night, I move them into my garage - no heat. Then slowly acclimate them to the coop.



If it was me - I would divide males from females best I could. Get them acclimated and move outside. If you have to use bunny hutches - break the boys up into groops of 3 or 4, put lots and lots of shavings/hay in the hutch for night and make sure they are very well fed. (well fed chickens keep themselves warmer easier)

 

[mockcherry]

Breeds? Why - you want one? dark brahmas, black australorps, speckled sussex, and easter eggers. The sussex is fully feathered. The dark brahmas are half naked. Australorps are mostly feathered but still some down. And the easter eggers are mostly feathered, but one is mostly bald under the wings. What are they doing that is so bad? The sussex is fighting / pecking eyes and grabbing face feathers from one brahma. And unless that brahma is completely still, won't let it move without attacking it. The others wings are flared and neck feathers flared, lots of posturing. Pecking, running. And of course, general harassing of the sweet girls. I think I may separate all the boys out but the brahmas. Those things look so naked. And they seem to be very sweet.

I have them in their coop now. It's draft free unless the vents are open with brood lamps in. I have a small safe run for them during the day now. That helped for a couple of days. And there are plenty of feeders and three waterers. But this sussex is becoming mean with the brahma.

 

[Lollipop]

LOL, ya do have a few to choose from. Sometimes it is neccessary to seperate a trouble maker or two. I`m surprized that is the case at 6 1/2 weeks. Sometimes my Asils fight at that age. They break wings, necks, and legs. They also make heads look like strawberries. Not real common with barnyard breeds, though. I have a series of small pens that I use for broodies and troublemakers. Wouldn`t hurt to pen that sussex alone. Doubt if being a rooster has anything to do with it at this age as the pullets are usually as rough as the males. Good luck.......Pop