New rooster owner questions

[yooper89]

Hello all, I have a couple questions about roosters. I've had five hens for a year and this year I've grown my flock to a total of 13 hens and 2 roosters. I didn't really mean to get two roosters. I have 5 chicks that are kept seperated from the rest in a sectioned off part of the run. The other five, including the two roosters seem to have integrated with the 5 adults pretty well so far. I've read a couple posts that say that if the roosters grew up together that they might get along better, which these two did, they're about 3 months old, is that true? I was under the impression that you should really only have one roo. My next question is should I be putting the roosters in the coupe with the hens? The roosters really seem to dislike being couped up with the other birds. Both of the roosters jump up on the fence around my run about the time the hens want to be tucked away in the coupe. They seem like they'd just be happy sitting on the fence all night. My concern is that I don't want any predators to get them during the night. I live in northern Michigan so during the winter months they wouldn't be able to do that and I assume I'd have to force them to coupe up with the hens. Does anyone have a similar situation or any advice on how I should handle these roosters? Should I get rid of one? Should I keep forcing them to coupe with the hens? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[chicks are me]

when you have 13 hens you need at least 2 roosters because you need 1 rooster for every 6-8 hens. maybe you should get a coop for 2 chickens for the roosters. I know you can get one for about $90.00 at the Meyer Hatchery, and it has a small run that could be for your roosters to play in at night.

 

[Mrsfoote]

I have a mixed flock of 14 Hens with 2 Dominant Roos.

The roos didn't grow up together but have been around each other quite often. In the yard there are a few squabbles, but other than that both mount the girls and get to be rooish. They both go into the coop with the girls. What I'd suggest doing , save yourself the money. Teach the boys the girls coop is where they go. At night time let them go to the fence and then bring them in with the girls and lock em up. Do this every time, or as you notice its getting dark and they're starting to head to the fence go put them in on the roosts with the girls before you close the coop up, just as you'd do if you were introducing a new hen or hens to your pre-existing flock.

I'm not suppose to have Roo's where I live but the neighbors like them and when they're out with the girls they go to the coop til bedtime, and when I lock the coop up they go into a kennel in the garage until morning and they don't crow before 7 anyhow so no complaints there, then around 8 they go out with the girls again, but even though they don't sleep in the coop, every night at dark they go into the coop.

 

[darin367]

throw them in with the girls..... 1 roo will be no.1...... no.2 will breed when the oppurtunity arises... he'll also keep his distance, he'll probably even have a few of his own ladies......... they'll settle it without any real harm being done.... personally, i've always liked having 2 roos...... i'd put them together sooner rather then later........