Need to get rid of a rooster, which one?

[juliemom25]

We have a relatively young flock (last spring) of 20 standard hens, 4 bantam hens, 2 bantam roosters and 2 standards roosters. Our two bantam roosters are fine and I have yet to see them touch a hen (even though one seriously had an attitude). Our two standard roos (EE's) are protective of the girls and initially battled among themselves (with wounds to prove it) to establish the most dominant. The bigger roo won out and it the top dog. The problem is that he is WAY too rough with the girls. I can't be sure he is the only roo being rough, but he is the one we see all the time. We lost a hen last fall because she was scalped (assuming by a roo) and we have been treating tattered combs for months now. Plus, quite a few of the girls are getting their back feathers plucked. One is so bad she has been in isolation for a week. We are tired of blu-koting and isolating, especially when the roos are just there to help protect the flock when they free range. We have no intentions of brooding chicks.

So, if we have to get rid of a roo, which one. I hate to get rid of the dominant one because he is the prettiest, but he certainly is the most rough. If we get rid of the dominant one, will the less dominant roo step up to bat?

Please give advice if you can. We are possibly looking at doing something today still and we are really unsure of the best route!


Thanks!!!

Julie

 

[PunkinPeep]

A rough roo is defeating the purpose of being the protector in my opinion.

I would get rid of him and let #2 take a shot at being a nicer guy. If you get rid of #2, while knowing that #1 is so rough, then you haven't prevented any of your problems, right? #2 will most likely take his place as top dog; then you can give him some time and evaluate his performance. Sounds funny. The poor roosters have no idea they're being watched so analytically.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

I know how you feel!!!

I'd get rid of the dominate roo. one of your other roos will probably step up, but that's the way it is. if you don't want chicks, then you might get rid of all of them. How to get rid of them is a totaly different matter, though! I used to have about 30 roosters to many, and we had to kill them. I DID NOT LIKE IT AT ALL. But, they were really beating up on the hens, so we HAD to get rid of them! You might try rehomeing them maybe? Hope this helps! Good Luck!

 

[juliemom25]

You guys have been very helpful. Thanks so much for such quick replies!

Julie

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

I had a similar situation with 2 white silkie roos that were raised together and seemed to get along fine...until they started running with our large fowl girls. The bigger one was mercilessly picking on the smaller hens and the other roo. We rehomed the meaner one and the other ones has turned into a sweetie. He is so sweet to all of the hens.

 

[Kim_NC]

I've found that 'secondary' roos usually make great flock roos. Once removed from the dominant roo and given their own flock, they are usually VERY good with the girls and quite respectful of humans as well.

edit: typo