Out of control roosters

[bathsheba8542]

Well, as a newbie, I've learned an unpleasant lesson. Too many roosters is a bad thing for everyone, including the roosters. Hens are cranky, I'm terrified of them, and my boyfriend is not amused by them at all.

So, we decided we're going to take 4 of the 6 and move them to the barn. They will be closed in at night and safe from predators, and can free range during the day. I've tried multiple ways to find them new homes, but the only people who have called sound very sketchy - "oh, I want to get a rooster to give to my buddy", so that sounds like cockfighting. I'd rather see them eaten by the fox that live on the farm than as cockfighters.

I hope they'll be okay. I just read a piece about how this is basically my fault for not socializing them more. I have spent a good chunk of every day with the flock, but stopped picking the roosters up when they jumped ahead from fluffy young cockerels to big, scary, roosters. I guess it is. I've tried to be the alpha, and keep them off the hens in my presence, but it never occurred to me to keep them away from food before hens ate, etc.

I guess I wonder if this is a good option for them, or if I'm just creating a bigger problem. They won't have hens around, so does that mean they'll fight more with each other? Only other choice seems to be soup, which I don't know if I can do yet. If they do live in the barn and attack me when I go to feed them, it might be the end for them, regardless.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Roosters will learn who is the alpha and the others will stay their distance. It's great that your getting them away from the hens though...they can't handle that much mating and the hens will look terrible. I had ONE rooster for ten hens and four of my hens looked pathetic. I got rid of the roo. I have found nice homes now for 7 roos (not all at one time but throughout the year). I know some people who have rooster rescue farms for unwanted roosters and their roos seem to live together in peace...some fighting once in a while but nothing to bad. If yours were raised together I wouldn't worry about it. Otherwise, like you said...always can make a very large soup!

 

[Judy]

It's not your fault, it is because of hormones and genetics. Some roos make great pets, some make great flock protectors, some will forever attack people, some are very rough on hens -- you never know, really, they are what they are. Just don't breed the mean rough ones because genetics are involved. Actually, the male chicks that are handled the most are sometimes the worst attack roos; they think they can be your alpha.

Around here they go to the freezer. Helps since we decided at the beginning that this would be the case. Ya do what ya gotta do.

Same with penning them together. Might work fine, might not. All you can do is try, and see how it goes. It will have a better chance of working since they were raised together.

 

[Uppity Peon]

Roosters will be roosters. Don't feel like you had anything to do with it. If they aren't too noisy for you and your neighbors, your plan sounds good.

And there is always the freezer option.

 

[bathsheba8542]

Roosters are moved! We helped them out the auto door into a garbage can, slapped the lid on and moved them one by one to the barn...boy, were they contrite, quiet, and otherwise tolerable for the first time in months. The hens this morning were super relaxed, the two remaining roosters eyed me carefully and paid heed when I pushed them away to let the hens eat first. It may be a new day !!!!!

 

[Autumn Mama]

bathsheba, hope this works for you!

We harvested our extra roos, and things are peaceful again. It was amazing to me how much mayhem they could create! We made our decision to harvest because, I had no luck rehoming, and, we eat meat and it has been a learning journey to actually decide to eat "meat that we know the origins of".

We had a rough day or two at processing time (we decided to take them to someone local to have them done for us), but now I'm looking forward to some warming Fall soups or stews.

I give thanks for the richness they gave our family in their short lives, and my 7 year old has made a necklace out of the roo tail feathers he collected prior to harvest. He has also started to have me write out stories about the funny things they did (like one of the roos jumping into the kids' swimming pool while he tried to escape capture

). It all has meaning for us, and has created some deep connection and discussion about our food choices!