Multiple cockerels, when to pick one and rehome the rest?

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Yes I still am not even for sure on which are cockerels or not. I know I’ve had one trying to crow just need to catch who it is so I know. I have a “favorite” already as far as looks and I’m pretty sure that one is a boy. There’s another I’m 99% sure is a boy and he is already showing signs of aggression towards me in the manner of pecking when I go to pick him up. Not sure if that will escalate or not. They were all raised by a broody with the flock so I’m hoping that may make for a little bit calmer, more adjusted Roos (which I’ve heard) but who knows. I really don’t have a plan yet for rehoming. I dread it honestly but I may just post pics on social media and hope someone will take them. I don’t have any idea how to process one or I would just put the extras in my freezer once they get to good eating age.

Yes! I’m planning to do a post for gender help as soon as I can get good pics of them all. And yes I will definitely try to rehome them before any other option.

If you’re thinking of rehoming the cockerel that’s been pecking you, keep in mind that you’ll have to be completely honest with potential takers. Pecking as a young cockerel often leads to aggression as a rooster. Though it could be a phase and it’s possible to correct, that is in no way a guarantee. Not many people want an aggressive rooster.

I agree that you should separate the cockerels from the pullets if they start causing issues. You’ll be able to figure out any human aggressive ones and let them mature a little before you make your decision.

 

[Mellowmalt]

I disagree that pecking is a sign of future aggression. Depends on what kind of peck I suppose but I would be less concerned about pecking. It's attacking me from behind that is the worst so if onepecks me at such a young age I wouldn't use that as criteria but that's me. I think nr 3 and 7 look lovely. 5 is my least favourite and for some reason I have a feeling nr 1 will be the monster out the bunch. So I know how hard it is to pick. I'm setting up a bachelor pad at mine since I can't pick either. I'll probably end up with 5 in that by the end of the year. I've never had more than one cockerel before so should be interesting, I'm wondering if it will be 5 times as much noise of if it is just the head rooster that crows at the moment.

 

[Michelley1001]

Looks like you’re right, though #2 could be a cockerel too if she/he has a different comb type than the others.

Oh don’t say that! I’m hoping for at least the 2 pullets. But actually you could be right cause that one looks to have more like a pea comb than the single comb like the others. I hope not though!

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

I disagree that pecking is a sign of future aggression. Depends on what kind of peck I suppose but I would be less concerned about pecking. It's attacking me from behind that is the worst so if onepecks me at such a young age I wouldn't use that as criteria but that's me. I think nr 3 and 7 look lovely. 5 is my least favourite and for some reason I have a feeling nr 1 will be the monster out the bunch. So I know how hard it is to pick. I'm setting up a bachelor pad at mine since I can't pick either. I'll probably end up with 5 in that by the end of the year. I've never had more than one cockerel before so should be interesting, I'm wondering if it will be 5 times as much noise of if it is just the head rooster that crows at the moment.

As I said, pecking can go away or be corrected as the cockerel gets older. However, a young cockerel already showing aggressive signs can get much worse. Young cockerels will not really spur you from behind like an adult aggressive rooster.

 

[Michelley1001]

I disagree that pecking is a sign of future aggression. Depends on what kind of peck I suppose but I would be less concerned about pecking. It's attacking me from behind that is the worst so if onepecks me at such a young age I wouldn't use that as criteria but that's me. I think nr 3 and 7 look lovely. 5 is my least favourite and for some reason I have a feeling nr 1 will be the monster out the bunch. So I know how hard it is to pick. I'm setting up a bachelor pad at mine since I can't pick either. I'll probably end up with 5 in that by the end of the year. I've never had more than one cockerel before so should be interesting, I'm wondering if it will be 5 times as much noise of if it is just the head rooster that crows at the moment.

I think no. 1 is the one that has already started attempting to crow. Right now none of them stand out much behavior wise, and actually I agree with you now about the pecking. He (no. 3) hasn’t done it anymore lately and it was only when I would pick him up to move him to the roost. I don’t see it as necessarily aggressive now but we’ll see how he turns out. He has always kinda stood out to me as the leader of the chicks. I’m not sure why, but maybe it’s because he is!

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

I think no. 1 is the one that has already started attempting to crow. Right now none of them stand out much behavior wise, and actually I agree with you now about the pecking. He (no. 3) hasn’t done it anymore lately and it was only when I would pick him up to move him to the roost. I don’t see it as necessarily aggressive now but we’ll see how he turns out. He has always kinda stood out to me as the leader of the chicks. I’m not sure why, but maybe it’s because he is!

I hope it was just a phase. With my own personal experience and from what I’ve seen on this forum, cockerels who peck early are more aggressive than ones who turn aggressive later on. Though I’ve also had bantam cockerels who pecked me when young but grew out of it later.

 

[Michelley1001]

I hope it was just a phase. With my own personal experience and from what I’ve seen on this forum, cockerels who peck early are more aggressive than ones who turn aggressive later on. Though I’ve also had bantam cockerels who pecked me when young but grew out of it later.

Yep I definitely didn’t think it was a good sign that’s for sure.

 

[Mellowmalt]

It is interesting to see that nr 3 was the first on the "to go list" when he has just decided to take charge. They need to be assertive to take charge. Fact he has done it with seemingly little fighting and fussing I'd take that as a good sign but I haven't raised enough to have experience with this yet but I think picking the strongest one is a good criteria to use still.
My favorite here at the moment was an early pecker, he took charge very early on even though he was a weak chick to start with too.
It was interesting though when he started crowing I had to move him outside and it wasn't 20 minutes before the next cockerel in line started crowing for the first time so out he went the same day too but I "rehomed" the noisy one and as soon as i did the next one took his place hence my question whether 5 cockerels would make more noise or whether it would just be the main one doing the crowing as is the case at the moment (2nd in line has not crowed once since)
I'll find out soon enough once they are older and all outside.

 

[Michelley1001]

It is interesting to see that nr 3 was the first on the "to go list" when he has just decided to take charge. They need to be assertive to take charge. Fact he has done it with seemingly little fighting and fussing I'd take that as a good sign but I haven't raised enough to have experience with this yet but I think picking the strongest one is a good criteria to use still.
My favorite here at the moment was an early pecker, he took charge very early on even though he was a weak chick to start with too.
It was interesting though when he started crowing I had to move him outside and it wasn't 20 minutes before the next cockerel in line started crowing for the first time so out he went the same day too but I "rehomed" the noisy one and as soon as i did the next one took his place hence my question whether 5 cockerels would make more noise or whether it would just be the main one doing the crowing as is the case at the moment (2nd in line has not crowed once since)
I'll find out soon enough once they are older and all outside.

No actually, I think you are right. Since I’ve made this post I’ve learned a lot more and I think he is actually one of the top contenders now to keep. So far he does seem to be a good one, as long as the slight pecking towards me doesn’t turn into more. Assertive would be a good way to describe how I’ve observed him. It will definitely be interesting to watch as they grow and mature. And that is interesting about your cockerels how they don’t crow until the one crowing is removed. Right now I only have one I’ve seen doing little baby crows so I’m really interested to see if any others try or if it’s like you said and they don’t until the current crow-er is removed. I have a separate small coop/run that I have on standby to put the extra cockerels in if they get to a point before I’ve decided which to keep that they need to be separated or kept from the hens. This is totally a first for me. Last April when we got our very first bunch of chicks we ended up with 3 cockerels and I took 2 to a sanctuary and we kept the silkie roo. He was nice for a while but then decided my children were threats and he would chase them/attack if he could if they were anywhere near the flock so he had to go. So this will be my first experience keeping a full sized, non-silkie roo. I am nervous to be honest. I hear so many horror stories of roosters turned mean. But I would like to have a protector for them since they do free range half the day and most importantly I’d like to be able to have fertile eggs so I can have a self-sustaining flock. Of course along with that will go having potentially lots of cockerels over the years to deal with so I’m hoping this right now will teach me a lot.

 

[Momma hen quack]

I agree with what everyone has said. We had 3 out of 5 turn out to be cockerels this past spring. We already had 4 other roosters. So, we had to choose who to get rid of and who to keep. I would have chosen the old rooster as he is a good protector of the flock and my sweet rooster who takes care of the girls, but wouldn't take on a hawk. Unfortunately, my daughter loves one of the roosters and we ended up keeping 3. Not so fond of him, but he will be a good protector also if something happens to our older rooster. Who knows what will happen in the future, but for now the flock is at peace and the pecking order has been established. I couldn't find anyone to take the roosters and they ended up as chicken dinner by my sister and her friend who also raises meat birds. Good luck picking out the 1 who will best suit your flock and take good care of the ladies.