Question about roosters

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Unfortunately there isn't a straightforward answer. A lot is going to depend on how you keep them. I know of very few people who have kept multiple roosters in a run and coop environment for any length of time. I suspect many who post that it's all fine have a fairly short period of observation and possibly the mix is cockerels and roosters.
I've found that two roosters/cockerels per flock, preferably father and son, with a number of separate flocks works best. When I got to the point there were more than two roosters in each flock, serious fighting was the end result. In some flocks things were fine for a year or two and then at full maturity the fights to lead the flock got serious.
The idea that more hens fixes problems with competing and fighting roosters is I'm afraid nonsense.
You can keep a rooster flock but why? They don't lay eggs and a rooster without hens is a rather pointless life in the eyes of the rooster.
The problem in the end ime and the experience of the other chicken keepers I talk to here is territory, not hens. If you are prepared as some do here to let your chickens completely free range as in not attempt to house them and just supply feed, they tend to sort themselves out. This does at times mean fights to the death, or less senior roosters being driven out of the flock and territory completely and these often get predated.
For many here with backyard confined flock a rooster is unnecessary. The rooster can't carry out the duties he is most suited for and often behavioral problems towards the hens and the keeper are the result.
There is a world of difference between keeping a few hens for eggs in a run and coop and keeping chickens.
 
Shadrach said:
Unfortunately there isn't a straightforward answer. A lot is going to depend on how you keep them. I know of very few people who have kept multiple roosters in a run and coop environment for any length of time. I suspect many who post that it's all fine have a fairly short period of observation and possibly the mix is cockerels and roosters.
I've found that two roosters/cockerels per flock, preferably father and son, with a number of separate flocks works best. When I got to the point there were more than two roosters in each flock, serious fighting was the end result. In some flocks things were fine for a year or two and then at full maturity the fights to lead the flock got serious.
The idea that more hens fixes problems with competing and fighting roosters is I'm afraid nonsense.
You can keep a rooster flock but why? They don't lay eggs and a rooster without hens is a rather pointless life in the eyes of the rooster.
The problem in the end ime and the experience of the other chicken keepers I talk to here is territory, not hens. If you are prepared as some do here to let your chickens completely free range as in not attempt to house them and just supply feed, they tend to sort themselves out. This does at times mean fights to the death, or less senior roosters being driven out of the flock and territory completely and these often get predated.
For many here with backyard confined flock a rooster is unnecessary. The rooster can't carry out the duties he is most suited for and often behavioral problems towards the hens and the keeper are the result.
There is a world of difference between keeping a few hens for eggs in a run and coop and keeping chickens.
Click to expand...
I maintain bachelor groups for 6 months to a year at a time. Sometimes more than one group.
 
all 4 had to go today.... Found out a bunch of people were complaining to our post master about them and wondering who owned them....
 
I've been crying my eyes out.... i just hope it will be as quick and painless as possible
 

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