New Rooster

[Broodymomma22]

I now have 5 Roosters… a little back story!
I started with 10 laying hens… then got 5 silkies, a bantam hen/rooster pair and a 2 year old silkie rooster. The two roosters (fought of course) but all is good. 2 of my silkie babies were taken by a chicken hawk… worst day of my LIFE… so I got 2 from a friend one was a rooster… it was also taken by something and I have been devastated since… So fast forward to yesterday… my sweet hubby got a rooster (the same age as my now teenage silkies) and he isn’t making friends so easy… he stays to himself, won’t roost with the others at night, just kind of a loaner. Of course the other 2 are showing him who’s boss as expected ( I am staying close to make sure they aren’t to mean) I guess I am wondering if this is normal and if he will find his place in the flock? I don’t want him to be miserable… I have posted a picture him… he is beautiful!

 

[BarnyardChaos]

Sounds normal to me, but not 'good' normal. If you still have just about 15 hens, then five roosters are three too many. I surmise he's staying to himself and not roosting with the others to prevent getting beat up. I doubt he will find his place. Roosters are programmed to keep a "flock" of hens (recommended is 8-10 hens per rooster) and will drive off or fight, to the death even, any other roosters they see as a threat to their dominance. If I were you, I'd rehome at least two of those roosters, and maybe a third. Otherwise you'll likely have bloodshed and/or a dead rooster or two. I'm sorry.

 

[Broodymomma22]

Sounds normal to me, but not 'good' normal. If you still have just about 15 hens, then five roosters are three too many. I surmise he's staying to himself and not roosting with the others to prevent getting beat up. I doubt he will find his place. Roosters are programmed to keep a "flock" of hens (recommended is 8-10 hens per rooster) and will drive off or fight, to the death even, any other roosters they see as a threat to their dominance. If I were you, I'd rehome at least two of those roosters, and maybe a third. Otherwise you'll likely have bloodshed and/or a dead rooster or two. I'm sorry.

So even though it’s only been 24 hours I should still be concerned?

 

[BarnyardChaos]

Absolutely. The worst is yet to come. I've heard of groups of roosters who can co-habitate tolerably well, but that's with no hens in the enclosure. Add girls to the mix and hormones take over.
@Pampered chicken girl wanna take a stab at this one?

 

[jus10inla]

So even though it’s only been 24 hours I should still be concerned?

no.. 24 hours isn’t anything. give it coupel more days. As long as no major bloodshed let them work it out .

 

[Broodymomma22]

Absolutely. The worst is yet to come. I've heard of groups of roosters who can co-habitate tolerably well, but that's with no hens in the enclosure. Add girls to the mix and hormones take over.
@Pampered chicken girl wanna take a stab at this one?

I will say this and didn’t add to the original post… I have 26 chickens all together… 5 are roosters. I am still new and need all the advice… so with 21 hens i only need 2 roosters… right?

 

[BarnyardChaos]

I should also mention that new birds need to be quarantined for 30 days before you introduce them to the flock. I know, too late now, but forewarned for next time. You don't want to introduce diseases into your flock, no matter where the newcomer came from.

 

[Broodymomma22]

no.. 24 hours isn’t anything. give it coupel more days. As long as no major bloodshed let them work it out .

They haven’t fought like drawing blood fought… almost looks like they are playing!

 

[Broodymomma22]

I should also mention that new birds need to be quarantined for 30 days before you introduce them to the flock. I know, too late now, but forewarned for next time. You don't want to introduce diseases into your flock, no matter where the newcomer came from.

I’m terrible at this! Not even a year in yet!

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

Absolutely. The worst is yet to come. I've heard of groups of roosters who can co-habitate tolerably well, but that's with no hens in the enclosure. Add girls to the mix and hormones take over.
@Pampered chicken girl wanna take a stab at this one?

Agreed, 5 roosters is alot, how many hens do you have now @Broodymomma22? You should have AT LEAST 7 hens per rooster. My flock of 14 hens has 1 rooster but I am going to get more hens and another rooster. You need to rehome 3 of your boys. Sorry your caught in this situation


Thanks for the tag @BarnyardChaos