Overbreeding vs. Predators: Hubby vs. Wife

[roo-many]

Need some advice! We started fostering three roos last year, and the family had to move away and was never able to pick them up for processing. Currently, we have those 3, plus ten hens (one is a Silkie Bantam). Two of the roos are Buffs, and one is an Australorp named Shadow. They are all free-range.

Personally, I am a big fan of Shadow. He has always been the top bird since he arrived, and I have various Shadow stories (true ones) depicting him going out of his way to protect the hens and even showing me where to find them when they get separated. I can take or leave the others.

My husband feels, however, (and, for all I know, he could be right; that's why I'm here asking) that the flock is safer from predators with 3 roosters. He sees Shadow stay with some, and the others go off with one of the others. Thus, without the extra roos, the hens that wander off would be in danger. Is this true? We have a MUCH better predator loss record this year than in previous years. I give the credit to Shadow, but???

Problem is, our 3 Buff girls are looking desperately overbred.

Here is the question: Should we get rid of the extra roosters?

TIA!

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Yes, you have too many roosters, and the hens will thank you for cutting back. They shouldn't be harassed that way. Or , get many more hens! One rooster is plenty for your flock. You might be able to rehome them; try here or craigslist, or signs at the feed store. Mary

 

[donrae]

Yep, trim down the roosters. The remaining rooster will gather all the hens into a cohesive flock after a short time and cut down the wandering.

 

[Mrs. K]

I agree, with the above, and personally I am voting for Shadow too. He has shown good qualities, and is currently acting as a flock master. A good mature rooster is a help with predator protection. And another trait he has, is that he can manage other roosters. You do not mention any rooster fighting, so I am assuming that you don't have any.

Shadow will be able to help raise up chicks, and teach good chicken society manners to those chicks. In my theory, those will also be good roosters that eventually you will need to pick from to replace Shadow as he ages.

Recently, I had an old rooster with two younger roosters, and the flock was very wide spread and separated when I let them out. I think the girls were trying to get away from all those roosters. I culled all three, as I had almost no fertile eggs, and I didn't like the younger roosters. The very same day, I added a new rooster. What I have noticed is that he keeps his flock together and at night, the hens get as close to him as they can!

Mrs K

 

[roo-many]

Thanks so much to all! We decided to get rid of both buff roosters. A friend will come by to pick them up this week.

 

[roo-many]

...I am told they were delicious.