newbie rooster ???.

[wvplucker]

I'm new to chickens and just got 20 unsexed RIR's and they threw in 4 White Leghorns for free. They were unsexed chicks, so I'm assuming close to a dozen will be roosters. I plan on keeping a RIR rooster and a Leghorn rooster if I have one. We will plan on having a big party later, with the remaining roosters on a spit. Can I keep them all together until I'm ready to butcher, or do the roosters need separated, Could you keep 12 roosters in a pen together, or would they try to kill each other. I'm such a newbie that this is my very first chicken related post ever.

 

[ghillie]

I dont have an answer since I am not allowed roosters, but I am sure someone will get you the answer. and

 

[rsf31tmp]

I have 24 chcicks hatched between late Feb and mid April....all are together and no problems yet...at least 8 Roos in there. I will tell all when we have our first problem!

 

[sourland]

You should be able to keep them together until they reach butchering age. Understand that the leghorns will never become very "meaty" and might best be used as fryers. If they start harassing the hens, seperate them out then. Also understand that leghorn roosters while beautiful have a reputation for agressiveness. Fighting should not be a big problem until they mature fully.

 

[sourland]

You should be able to keep them together until they reach butchering age. Understand that the leghorns will never become very "meaty" and might best be used as fryers. If they start harassing the hens, seperate them out then. Also understand that leghorn roosters while beautiful have a reputation for agressiveness. Fighting should not be a big problem until they mature fully.

 

[wvplucker]

Thanks alot. At about what age would you expect a RIR roo to be ready to butcher?

 

[Tannubyky]

Quote:
I guess I should post this separately but I don't understand what you mean by not meaty so use as a fryer... Do you mean don't separate into legs/breast/wings etc. and just cook whole???

 

[RL]

Leghorns are breed for egg laying; they will not get a lot of meat on them. If it were me I would separate all the boys that you do not want – make a boys pen. Feed them a high protein feed and fatten them up a bit. If they have enough room and are not mixed in with the hens, there should not be too many fights, but boys will be boys.

 

[Mervin]

Quote:
I guess I should post this separately but I don't understand what you mean by not meaty so use as a fryer... Do you mean don't separate into legs/breast/wings etc. and just cook whole???

I've read a pretty good article about this on the ALBC website. It seems it's more about cooking technique rather than parts used. Here's the link:

http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/cookingwheritagechicken.pdf

 

[Tannubyky]

Awesome thanks, also I found this thread Right age to butcher rir cockerels That had some interesting info.