New member with too many roosters

[Countrygramma]

I have been browsing this site for awhile to get answers to my questions and finally decided to join. We started with a couple of silkies because I saw them at a fair and thought they were so cute. Then a friend gave us two large rooster (not silkies). I bought a few more silkie chicks and ended up with 2 roosters and 2 hens. all was going well until one of the silkie hens came up missing. We were letting them run free during the day. So my husband built a great coop with an outdorr run. We successfully hatched 3 more silkies (although 1 did not survive) and this produced 1 hen and another rooster. We put them in with the other chickens when they were 6 months old. A month later, we found the hen dead in the cage. Not sure if a rooster did it or not.
Now we have 2 large rooster and 1 regular hen and 3 silkie rooster and i silkie hen. My husband is buying a couple more silkie hens today. Do we need to get rid of some of the roosters, separate them or what. I hate to get rid of them as we have become attached and named them all and my grandchildren will be upset.
Any info will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[LarryPQ]

One roo to 7-10 hens is best.

If you think your big roos are hurting the silkies, then it might be best to re-home them. Perhaps you can get a lovely silkie roo. They have TONS of personality.

 

[STucker]

First of all

, I am new as well. I had the same problem as you with to many roos. I finally narrowed them down. Unlike you I was not as attached to them, so getting rid of them was pretty easy. However I still have 4 roos. I have a head roo, who is a Buff Orp. He rules his girls only. I have a Red Americauna he knows his boundries in the main coop. My Black Sex Links is all by himself with his own girls. Which he likes a lot. Then I have one black and white bantam roo. He is "cocky" so to speak. He has spurred me three times. Which didn't hurt cause he is so small but he thought he owned me. That is until my Head roo started to protect me when I went into the coop. He would follow me around and keep an eye on the roo bantam. I think that is need. Roos can be very protective. If they are raised together like mine were they shouldn't fight much. Other than chase each other around. But I wouldn't recommend adding anymore roos to the flock just incase.

 

[terrilhb]

from Ga. Yes to many roosters. I just had to take a rooster out cause I had to many. I have some unhappy hens and roo's. But it had to be done. To protect the girls.

 

[Countrygramma]

Thanks for your info. The two large roos do not bother with the silkies. They are very docile. I have one beautiful silkie roo that I think was the culprit. My husband thinks he tried to mount the little hen and injured her somehow. He has quite a large chest.
I also have a yellow silkie roo that chases me (and only me) whenever I go to the pen. I have taken to bringing a broom with me and sweeping him off his feet when he charges me. Everyone else thinks it is funny.
I will have to wait and see how the two new larger hens do with the flock and hopefully we can adjust or I will have to decide which roos go.
thanks again

 

[ghillie]

 

[dirtgirl01]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Countrygramma]

Thanks I really think this could become addicting. I love reading all the posts and time sure flys. I just saw our two new white silkies and are they beautiful. We have them separate from the rest till they adjust and my roosters are crowing like crazy. Spring is in the air.

 

[bburn]

Quote:
No, you have to keep them separate for a few weeks until you make sure no one gets sick from bringing other chickens. Do a search on here about intergrating new chickens into a flock. Lots of stuff to know there.

And yes...on the too many roosters. After a year, and WAY too many roosters I have three separate flocks. I have a mixed flock with a Buff Orpington Rooster. A strictly Barred Rock flock with a roo. And a cochin flock.

All my former roosters, including these three were all raised together. At about 25 weeks the fighting began. I got down to the three that were not fighting. Then the BR had to be moved. Then the Cochin had to be moved.

You still just have to do what works for you. But quarantine any chickens you bring into your flock.

 

[Nicolla]

from TN/AL

I am new too!

What does everyone do with their unwanted rooster? I have 4 EE chicks right now and we are planning on getting a couple silkies because I think they are adorable, lol, but we only want hens. So, what does everyone do with the unwanted roos? Where do you re-home them so to speak?