need advice please

[Karenbear]

I have an existing flock of 8 hens (2 RIR, 1 black astrolorp, 2 black sexlink and 3 white leghorns) and two roos (1 EE who is the alpha and one RIR)all 6 months old....I know two roos is too much but they get along fine believe it or not, maybe cause they been together their whole life. Anyways....I have another roo who is currently by himself(took him out because the other roos wouldnt leave him alone)...he is a barred rock, just a beautiful roo. He is also 6 months old. I also have 3 pullets that are 3 1/2 months old two EE and one BR who have been in a separate run/coop. I let them out to free range with the existing flock today and so far so good...a little pecking but not too bad. Tonight when I put them up I am thinking I am going to put the two EE in with exisitng flock and put the BR in with my BR roo...that was the original reason for keeping my BR roo was to have a breeding pair. Anyways do you think my BR pullet with be ok in there with him...I am almost afraid to put her in there cause he has been by himself for so long I dont want anything bad to happen to her she is the sweetest girl ever. Thoughts please!!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would not put her in with him yet, she's only 3 months, he could hurt her, in this situation I would wait until she's mature and laying before you put them together, by then your rooster should have matured a bit and not be so eager, she will be lonely without her clutch mate as well. I would keep the three together personally, your two other roosters will probably always get along, but they will probably be to much on the hens, time will tell.

 

[Karenbear]

well I was thinking I might eventually take the RIR roo out and put him and my RIR hens together I need to get another run and coop built first. Should I maybe put two hens in with my BR roo? He seems so lonely and gets so agitated

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I wouldn't, all he will probably do is mate and harass them at his age, I have a pen inside my shed for roosters that need some alone time, they still interact with him through the wire, you could also rotate roosters, locking up the two and letting him with the hens for a day or two a week, I have done that. You really have too many roosters, your hens are going to be mated too much, they will end up bare backed, I just culled a rooster because I had too many, I had 4 roosters to 35 hens, there are a lot of bare backs and some were getting sores, so rotate them pen them separately, or rehomed or cull, your hens will appreciate it.