problem speckled sussex roos to cull or not?

[ctjim]

i have 2 sussex roos that were hatched in mar. and have become a super problem in my flock. 1 was the more dominate roo until the other started to crow and now they fight, and beat up on my girls to the point where the hens have to be in pairs and all together to be out in the run so they can gang up if needed. this morning was the final straw they had 1 of my delawares cornered and stuck in the fence and were picking her badly and continuing to breed her, to the point where i'm not sure she will live, i separeted her and cleaned her up and all that good stuff, and put the roos in isolation. i think its best that they be culled, rather than me keep trying to give them away and pass their issues on to someone else.

 

[Clay Valley Farmer]

They will likely settle down in time but I can't imagine you need two horney teenage roos causing flock problems.

Eat one while it's still tender, the other might get the message.

 

[AlbionWood]

I put both of my Sussex roos in the freezer, for the same reason. They were gorgeous birds but just too mean to the girls. Mine were hatched in June, so if yours are 3 months older but still mean, maybe they don't "settle down" much. I kept a Delaware roo (same age) who is much nicer.

 

[CMV]

Eat the worst offender now and put the other one "On Notice." That's the code in our house for an animal that is probably going to end up in the pot if they don't straighten out. I have a roo that is "On Notice" right now- 3 strikes and he's out. He's on his second strike. I can't stand nasty animals and won't keep them around.

I hope your girl recovers from her ordeal. Good luck.

 

[Mahonri]

send them to freezer camp.

 

[Judy]

I liked the idea of breeding Speckled Sussex, but the roos I got were NOT NICE and all wound up in the freezer. Yet the hens are my two pets!

 

[lauriej57]

I have a speckled sussex roo, 6 months old, and so far, so good. He's just started crowing, and just starting to show an interest in mating. He's the first one out of the 11 girls and him who greet me. I've heard many good things about the speckled sussex roos, but roos are roos, and you get good ones and bad ones, no matter what the breed.

I would do as others have suggested, and cull one, and see how the other one does. Roo's will compete for their flock.

 

[Cavendish Chickens]

My sussex roo is rowdy, but well behaved to a point. I would just separate the two. Give them each their own flock of hens, or get rid of one, keep the other. My sussex roo thinks he's all big and bad, but once we step into the run he's a coward. We raised him since he hatched this past May. He's my little chickie-poo no matter what. He does chase the girls like crazy every morning, but settles down by lunch time. Then they spend the day together eating, bathing, sleeping, etc. I was told he just wants "some". lol I was also told that two roos isn't a good idea. I accidentally ended up with two in the beginning. The man we go through was willing to take the one off our hands. He was a mean roo. But still a sweetie at the same time. They got along for a while, and then we got them in the run together ... seemed to do fine, then the next day he had the other pinned in a corner and wouldn't let him out to eat or drink. So, we got rid of him and kept the one we hatched. No freezer. Just a new home with his own run to enjoy.

 

[deannd]

I had two roos that were gang banging the girls, and then I was offered a Maran rooster. He was a little older and wiser and when he saw the boys being ruff with the girls, he set them straight; now the younger roos have learned to be gentlemen. I am not suggesting getting a third roo, but I do think they behave better as they get older and learn to court the girls. If you don't need two roos, I suggest getting rid of one, and the other will likely become a gentleman in time.

 

[buzymom13]

I had the same problem w/a del mix and a RIR mix pair of roos. One got rehomed (the governor gave him a reprieve to the neighbors house) and the other will be soup this week. (He's resting in the fridge right now). It's not worth the hens getting picked on and upset. I will not abide a nasty animal of any kind.

Just my opinion but save yourself the hassles.