Opinions on which rooster to keep plz!

[hannakat]

I had to get rid of my mean rooster last year but because the flock free ranges, I was on the lookout for an adult, nice rooster. In the spring I found a LF Cochin rooster and he has been taking good care of the girls.

This spring I also ordered day old French Black Copper Marans, of which 4 turned out to be roosters. There is one rooster in particular that I would really like to keep but considering how small my flock is (total of 9 with the new Marans hens) don't think the Cochin will tolerate it. He's already chasing the young roos all over the place.

So, would you keep the nice Cochin or take the risk and to have the gorgeous FBCM roo?

Getting the young hens into the main coop will not happen until I get rid of roosters and they are getting to the age where the decision has to be made.

TX!!!

 

[sourland]

A good rooster is to be treasured. The marans cockerels are an unknown quantity. They may become human aggressive as they mature. I would stick with the cochin. If you really like the one Marans cockerel, you could keep him too and see how his personality develops. If problems arise you could always get rid of him at a later date.

 

[hannakat]

That's what I'm thinking. Wondering if the hens would be allowed in the 'big girls' coop though. My goal is to combine them and retire the chicken tractor..... Don't know why I end up making things hard

 

[dreamcatcherarabians]

Take one or 2 of your new chicks and put them in the tractor with the roo you want to keep so that they form their own 'flock' of 3 or 4 and get rid of the other roos. That way the Cochin doesn't feel threatened and both have their own girls to visit with.

 

[hannakat]

I didn't know it would be so hard to make a decision. Tomorrow is 'the' day. DH says I have to decide by then. I need to have them all integrated into the one large coop and so I can't have more than 1 roo.

Oh...I wish I had a crystal ball.....

 

[darin367]

keep 1 of your new roos.. if they have plenty of room they'll be fine.... the ole boy will chase the younger 1 off when he gets to close but they'll be fine.... 9 hens is fine with 2 roos as long as they have space... keep em both..

 

[hannakat]

I was hoping to do that...my established roo, a LF Cochin, has been trying to kill the dominent Marans roo for a week now. They free range over 5+ acres but the Cochin still wants him dead. Guess if he's fast enough he'll be okay !! hahaaa...

 

[chickencoop789]

A good rooster only comes around once in a while. Keep that one and dont take a chance with one that might not be the right choice.