Number of roosters in flock

[NevadaEmma]

Hello, I have ended up with 3 Sapphire Gem Roosters in my little group of chickens. I thought I only had one, but slowly it became apparent there were two more. The original rooster took control of the flock at an early age, a couple of months before the other two were identified as roosters. He is tends the flock very well, a bit snippy to me and my husband, but he has been all that I thought a rooster should be, tending the flock.

The second rooster as now started mating with the females. The first rooster does not try to stop him, just kind of watches and acts a bit anxious. The second rooster is much rougher with the females and they seem to object to his mating them.

The third rooster has just started crowing (all were purchased together). I have seen him starting to be more interested in the females, but have not seen him mount them yet.

I have 8 hens and two young birds that I am not sure what sex they will be. The roosters seem to co-exist together, but things were much calmer when just the first rooster was tending them.

I am having a hard time finding homes for the roosters, and hate to have them butchered. They are very handsome.

Which rooster would be the best one to keep if I was able to find homes for the others?

I have tried to separate the second rooster (before I knew there was a third), but he becomes very agitated and very anxious.

Any thoughts?

 

[Quaen]

Hello, I have ended up with 3 Sapphire Gem Roosters in my little group of chickens. I thought I only had one, but slowly it became apparent there were two more. The original rooster took control of the flock at an early age, a couple of months before the other two were identified as roosters. He is tends the flock very well, a bit snippy to me and my husband, but he has been all that I thought a rooster should be, tending the flock.

The second rooster as now started mating with the females. The first rooster does not try to stop him, just kind of watches and acts a bit anxious. The second rooster is much rougher with the females and they seem to object to his mating them.

The third rooster has just started crowing (all were purchased together). I have seen him starting to be more interested in the females, but have not seen him mount them yet.

I have 8 hens and two young birds that I am not sure what sex they will be. The roosters seem to co-exist together, but things were much calmer when just the first rooster was tending them.

I am having a hard time finding homes for the roosters, and hate to have them butchered. They are very handsome.

Which rooster would be the best one to keep if I was able to find homes for the others?

I have tried to separate the second rooster (before I knew there was a third), but he becomes very agitated and very anxious.

Any thoughts?

To be honest, it would be hard to find a cockerel that could do well with only 8 hens. I recommend at the very least 10 for one cockerel or rooster and buy chicken saddles (with wing protection) for them. Over mating is an issue that can be quite serious. I would keep the nicest to the hens and to humans, but it depends on what you are looking for in a male. 2 males definitely need to go, one way or the other.

 

[aart]

Any thoughts?

Get rid of, or separate, the younger 2 pronto....or all 3 if this is your first flock.
Yes, they are pretty, but not so pretty once they are all full of hormones and ravaging the girls.

 

[NevadaEmma]

To be honest, it would be hard to find a cockerel that could do well with only 8 hens. I recommend at the very least 10 for one cockerel or rooster and buy chicken saddles (with wing protection) for them. Over mating is an issue that can be quite serious. I would keep the nicest to the hens and to humans, but it depends on what you are looking for in a male. 2 males definitely need to go, one way or the other.

Thank you, I agree sadly. We want to have fertile eggs which is one reason we wanted a rooster (my husband likes hearing the crowing believe it or not, it does not bother me either). I am concerned that the first rooster may not be taking enough time to fertilize the hen, although I really have no experience in this area.

I left roosters 2 & 3 outside of the main coop last night, but inside the fenced in area (electric). I have not checked on them yet this morning, my husband lets out the geese and checks on the animals first thing in the mornings.

Last night, the group seemed much calmer without the other two roosters. I will have to put more effort into finding them a home, butchering as a last result. Rooster number two, I call him Boomerang, went missing for about 3 weeks. He came back and I nursed him back to health. I must have done a great job, he is gorgeous. Since I held him so much when he was recooperating and being reintroduced to the flock, he is not at all aggressive to humans. I have not tried to pick him up since it became apparent he was actually a rooster.

Thanks for listening.

 

[FlipFlopFarmer6279]

Maybe try to find an animal sanctuary near you that will accept chickens. I had to give my roo to one. He now has a happy life as one of ten free ranging roosters and 70 hens. If you can find one it may be the best option for your roos

 

[NevadaEmma]

Yes, I will look harder. We are in a rural community. I found a place for cats and dogs, but no mention of chickens. But I will call anyway, it may lead somewhere.

The Northern Nevada Poultry Fanciers will take roosters for a donation and rehome them. Another good option. And there may be a sanctuary in Reno, about an hour away, that will take them. The 4H and FFA groups did not find anyone in their groups to take on or both of them. Thanks again, Cara

 

[Alaskan]

Hello, I have ended up with 3 Sapphire Gem Roosters in my little group of chickens. I thought I only had one, but slowly it became apparent there were two more. The original rooster took control of the flock at an early age, a couple of months before the other two were identified as roosters. He is tends the flock very well, a bit snippy to me and my husband, but he has been all that I thought a rooster should be, tending the flock.

The second rooster as now started mating with the females. The first rooster does not try to stop him, just kind of watches and acts a bit anxious. The second rooster is much rougher with the females and they seem to object to his mating them.

The third rooster has just started crowing (all were purchased together). I have seen him starting to be more interested in the females, but have not seen him mount them yet.

I have 8 hens and two young birds that I am not sure what sex they will be. The roosters seem to co-exist together, but things were much calmer when just the first rooster was tending them.

I am having a hard time finding homes for the roosters, and hate to have them butchered. They are very handsome.

Which rooster would be the best one to keep if I was able to find homes for the others?

I have tried to separate the second rooster (before I knew there was a third), but he becomes very agitated and very anxious.

Any thoughts?

I worry a little about the first rooster since you say he is snippy.

If you can, I would keep all three as long as possible (IF you have a separate place to keep the extra two). Then, you could try male number 2, boomerang with the flock, and see if he is the best fit..... or even #3.....

Once you are sure you like the rooster you have with the flock... good with you and good with the hens.... I would eat the extra 2.... or give them to someone who wieat them.

 

[NevadaEmma]

Good suggestion! Thanks. They are all very different from each other.

 

[Mrs. K]

Do set up a way to separate them immediately. A long handle fish net can be used to pull apart fighting birds.

Do know that how they act together, how they act alone, and how they act today are NO INDICATOR how they will act tomorrow. They are quite unpredictable. Even the pet rooster can turn. That is what makes them so tricky.

Try the feed store, sometimes they know someone... and social media. Don't ask questions, just let them go.

Mrs.K

 

[NevadaEmma]

Do set up a way to separate them immediately. A long handle fish net can be used to pull apart fighting birds.

Do know that how they act together, how they act alone, and how they act today are NO INDICATOR how they will act tomorrow. They are quite unpredictable. Even the pet rooster can turn. That is what makes them so tricky.

Try the feed store, sometimes they know someone... and social media. Don't ask questions, just let them go.

Mrs.K

Well I think I have someone to take the two roosters. I called a local butcher and asked if anyone wanted some roosters. Well one of the gals said she would take one and had a friend that free ranged about 45 chickens and would take the other rooster. Hope it works out and they have a good home!