Please Help: Which Rooster Should I Cull?

[thewestwardbunc]

Hi,
I have a problem with 2 roosters that our family owns. We have 23 hens and the two roosters generally split them up and each takes a bunch. However, today they had a massive fight. We tried our best to separate them, but they are boht really bloody. Anyway, no matter how hard we try to separate them they can't get along. I know we have to cull one but I am unsure which one we should cull. One is our older rooster who is about 4 years old but is quite protective over the hens and has fought with his life in the past to protect them. The other is well, sort of shy and timid and is not as protective but instead just runs away when faced with much danger, however he is a lot younger (only 1 year-old). The reason I am asking this is because I am worried if we cull the young one than the older one may die off soon anyway or if we cull the older one, the younger one may not protect the hens properly. Please give your advice on what I should do.
Thank you very much, I appreciate it,
Rebecca

 

[PD-Riverman]

Hi,
I have a problem with 2 roosters that our family owns. We have 23 hens and the two roosters generally split them up and each takes a bunch. However, today they had a massive fight. We tried our best to separate them, but they are boht really bloody. Anyway, no matter how hard we try to separate them they can't get along. I know we have to cull one but I am unsure which one we should cull. One is our older rooster who is about 4 years old but is quite protective over the hens and has fought with his life in the past to protect them. The other is well, sort of shy and timid and is not as protective but instead just runs away when faced with much danger, however he is a lot younger (only 1 year-old). The reason I am asking this is because I am worried if we cull the young one than the older one may die off soon anyway or if we cull the older one, the younger one may not protect the hens properly. Please give your advice on what I should do.
Thank you very much, I appreciate it,
Rebecca

I always keep a spare----but I have many pens. If you do not want a separate pen---a rooster can live in a good size dog kennel(like the 27x42) with a top on it---across the yard----if you want to separate for a while---while deciding. If you lived close to me I would get you enough out of a rooster to buy a couple Nice steaks or some filet mignon??

 

[dekel18042]

Hi,
I have a problem with 2 roosters that our family owns. We have 23 hens and the two roosters generally split them up and each takes a bunch. However, today they had a massive fight. We tried our best to separate them, but they are boht really bloody. Anyway, no matter how hard we try to separate them they can't get along. I know we have to cull one but I am unsure which one we should cull. One is our older rooster who is about 4 years old but is quite protective over the hens and has fought with his life in the past to protect them. The other is well, sort of shy and timid and is not as protective but instead just runs away when faced with much danger, however he is a lot younger (only 1 year-old). The reason I am asking this is because I am worried if we cull the young one than the older one may die off soon anyway or if we cull the older one, the younger one may not protect the hens properly. Please give your advice on what I should do.
Thank you very much, I appreciate it,
Rebecca

I would keep the one who is a better flock rooster. One thing about roosters, There are a lot of them and a lot of good ones. Even if you were to lose both, you could probably pick up another rooster without much trouble.
I know when I hatch I usually keep several of the nicer cockerels in case anyone wants one.
The other year I managed to lose two good roosters within a year and a friend gave me a really nice one, correct breed even as I had some breeding projects planned so now I have him, a son I kept and another.
And if you do get another rooster you have the advantage of knowing what his temperament is.

 

[donrae]

I'd say keep the older one. 4 isn't that old for a rooster.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Are you breeding them, or having the roosters as part of the flock without raising their chicks? They have demonstrated that living together is out, so separate pens, or pick one. The older bird sounds great, although his fertility may not be so terrific any more. The younger bird might be a success if he's no longer living in fear of the big guy, but he's not impressed you yet. You could hatch some eggs, and move the younger cock elsewhere, and calm everyone down. Peace is a good thing! Mary

 

[Mrs. K]

There is no perfect plan with chickens, and you hit it on the nail, keep the old guy, and he could die, keep the young one, and he becomes a jerk.

You might consider this: cull both of them. Or cull one of them, but begin to look around for another pair of roosters, Dekel is right, lots of people have extra roosters. Ask at the feed store, ask at the poultry club, contact the extension office for people who have chickens. Often times people do keep a spare, and with new chicks coming this time of year, something needs to go.

Mrs K

 

[thewestwardbunc]

Hi,
Sorry for such a late reply, we had a storm come through the area and had a power outage.
Thank you for all the replies, I was not expecting so many. We tried to separate them at first but it got to a point where the young rooster went full out attack on the older one. After separating them, the older one got sort of depressed and would not even act like a rooster anymore. He would just lie by himself and the hens did not even notice him. In the end although it is sad, we had to cull him.We are keeping the young one for now, but are incubating eggs to try and find a better rooster in that bunch.
Thanks for all the help,
I appreciate it.