new and need some help!

[ladyelfstone]

Hello!

I am so glad I found this forum

I am new to raising chickens and have learned many things the hard way this year

I have lost several birds and my kids have been heartbroke. I am hoping by posting and reading here, things will get better!

At this point we have 19 chickens and 3 ducks. One big problem is I have 10 roosters and 9 hens (ACK!!!). I have no idea how to keep them from fighting. They also have a tendency to "fly the coop". They like running in the yard, but we also have dogs and I don't want the dogs to kill them!

If I am unable to sell or trade my extra roosters, what do I do?

Thanks!

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

Hello and

It is hard when you have too many roosters. If you can't find them new homes, I guess the only thing left to do other then make them a bachlor pad (house all the roosters together in a seperate pen away from hens) would be freezer camp (making them into dinner)

. A good ratio is one rooster per 10 hens.
Good Luck!

 

[dawg53]

Welcome to BYC.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

and

from Ohio. So glad you joined. I agree with sunny. Good luck.

 

[pioneer]

I have to agree w/ sunny also. It is AWFUL when they fight!!!!!

 

[MSDeb]

Welcome to BYC, glad you joined. Re-home or freezer camp for sure.

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. I agree with sunny, too. Good luck

 

[hcppam]

Hello for Big Bear

try to re home, its hard.

 

[chi-rn]

I have a small backyard flock. For me, it's worth paying the extra money for pullets rather than just getting straight run. Since I'm fairly new to chickens myself, I've also decided to stick with sex-linked chickens. I only have hens, no roosters. I prefer it that way for now since I don't have to make difficult decisions about what to do with the roosters. Good luck!

 

[NonnasBabies]

&

from Louisiana!